TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Complete Jewish Bible
Y'hoshua also set up twelve stones in the Yarden River itself, in the place where the feet of the cohanim carrying the ark for the covenant had stood. They are there to this day.
Berean Standard Bible
Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day.
American Standard Version
And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
World English Bible Messianic
Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Ioshua set vp twelue stones in the middes of Iorden, in the place where the feete of the Priests, which bare the Arke of the couenant stood, and there haue they continued vnto this day.
Young's Literal Translation
even the twelve stones hath Joshua raised up out of the midst of the Jordan, the place of the standing of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant, and they are there unto this day.
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 5,920 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Joshua 4 verses 1–9
1 ¶ And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
We may well imagine how busy Joshua and all the men of war were while they were passing over Jordan, when besides their own marching into an enemy's country, and in the face of the enemy, which could not but occasion them many thoughts of hear, they had their wives, and children, and families, their cattle, and tents, and all their effects, bag and baggage, to convey by this strange and untrodden path, which we must suppose either very muddy or very stony, troublesome to the weak and frightful to the timorous, the descent to the bottom of the river and the ascent out of it steep, so that every man must needs have his head full of care and his hands full of business, and Joshua more than any of them. And yet, in the midst of all his hurry, care must be taken to perpetuate the memorial of this wonderous work of God, and this care might not be adjourned to a time of greater leisure. Note, How much soever we have to do of business for ourselves and our families, we must not neglect nor omit what we have to do for the glory of God and the serving of his honour, for that is our best business. Now,
I. God gave orders for the preparing of this memorial. Had Joshua done it without divine direction, it might have looked like a design to perpetuate his own name and honour, nor would it have commanded so sacred and venerable a regard from posterity as now, when god himself appointed it. Note, God's works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance, and means devise for the preserving of the memorial of them. Some of the Israelites that passed over Jordan perhaps were so stupid, and so little affected with this great favour of God to them, that they felt no concern to have it remembered; while others, it may be, were so much affected with it, and had such deep impressions made upon them by it, that they thought there needed no memorial of it to be erected, the heart and tongue of every Israelite in every age would be a living lasting monument of it. But God, knowing their frame, and how apt they had been soon to forget his works, ordered an expedient for the keeping of this in remembrance to all generations, that those who could not, or would not, read the record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of it by the monument set up in remembrance of it, of which the common tradition of the country would be an explication; it would likewise serve to corroborate the proof of the matter of fact, and would remain a standing evidence of it to those who in after-ages might question the truth of it. A monument is to be erected, and, 1. Joshua, as chief captain, must five direction about it (v. 1): When all the people had clean passed over Jordan, not even the feeble, that were the hindmost of them, left behind, so that God had done his work completely, and every Israelite got safe into Canaan, then God spoke unto Joshua to provide materials for this monument. It is the pious conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick that Joshua had gone into some place of retirement to return thanks immediately for this wonderful mercy, and then god met him, and spoke thus to him. Or, perhaps, it was by Eleazar the priest that God gave these and other instructions to Joshua; for, though he is not mentioned here, yet, when Joshua was ordained by the imposition of hands to this great trust, god appointed that Eleazar should ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim, and at his word Joshua and all the children of Israel must go out and come in, Num 27:21. 2. One man out of each tribe, and he a chosen man, must be employed to prepare materials for this monument, that each tribe might have the story told them by one of themselves, and each tribe might contribute something to the glory of God thereby (Jos 4:2, Jos 4:4): Out of ever tribe a man. Not the Levites only, but every Israelite must, in his place, help to make known to the sons of men God's mighty acts, Psa 145:12. The two tribes, though seated already in their possession, yet, sharing in the mercy, must lend a hand to the memorial of it. 3. The stones that must be set up for this memorial are ordered to be taken out of the midst of the cannel (where, probably, there lay abundance of great stones), and as near as might be from the very place where the priests stood with the ark, Jos 4:3, Jos 4:5. This intended monument deserved to be made of stones curiously cut with the finest and most exquisite art, but these stones out of the bottom of the river were more natural and more apt indications of the miracle. let posterity know by this that Jordan was driven back, for these very stones were then fetched out of it. In the institution of signs, God always chose that which was most proper and significant, rather than that which is pompous or curious; for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world. These twelve men, after they got over Jordan, must be sent back to the place where the ark stood, being permitted to come near it (which others might not) for this service: "Pass over before the ark (Jos 4:5), that is, into the presence of the ark, which now stands in the midst of Jordan, and thence fetch these stones." 4. the use of these stones is here appointed for a sign (Jos 4:6), a memorial, Jos 4:7. They would give occasion to the children to ask their parents in time to come, How came these stones hither? (probably the land about not being stony), and then the parents would inform them, as they themselves had been informed, that in this place Jordan was divided by the almighty power of God, to give Israel passage into Canaan, as Joshua enlarges on this head, v. 22, etc.
II. According to these orders the thing was done. 1. Twelve stones were taken up out of the midst of Jordan, and carried in the sight of the people to the place where they had their head-quarters that night, v. 8. It is probable that the stones they took were as big as they could well carry, and as near as might be of a size and shape. But whether they went away with them immediately to the place, of whether they staid to attend the ark, and kept pace with the solemn procession of that, to grace its triumphant entry in to Canaan, is not certain. By these stones which they were ordered to take up God did, as it were, give them livery and seisin of this good land; it is all their own, let them enter and take possession; therefore what these twelve did the children of Israel are said to do (v. 8), because they were the representatives of their respective tribes. In allusion to this, we may observe that when the Lord Jesus, our Joshua, having overcome the sharpness of death and dried up that Jordan, had opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, he appointed his twelve apostles according to the number of the tribes of Israel, by the memorial of the gospel to transmit the knowledge of this to remote places and future ages. 2. Other twelve stones (probably much larger than the other, for we read not that they were each of them one man's load) were set up in the midst of Jordan (v. 9), piled up so high in a heap or pillar as that the top of it might be seen above the water when the river was low, or seen in the water when it was clear, or at least the noise of commotion of the water passing over it would be observable, and the bargemen would avoid it, as they do a rock. Some way or other, it is likely, it was discernible, so as to notify the very place where the ark stood, and to serve for a duplicate to the other monument, which was to set up on dry land in Gilgal, for the confirming of its testimony and the preserving of its tradition. The sign being doubled, no doubt the thing was certain.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Joshua 4:9 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Joshua 4:9 details Joshua's distinct and personal initiative to establish a second, submerged monument of twelve stones within the Jordan River. This unique memorial was erected at the precise location where the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, stood firm during the miraculous crossing. This act served as a profound, enduring, and sacred testament to God's mighty intervention and the Ark's pivotal role, ensuring that the exact point of divine power and priestly obedience was indelibly marked for posterity, even if its presence was known primarily to those who understood its profound origin and purpose.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 4:9 masterfully employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. Symbolism is paramount, as the twelve stones themselves symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel and serve as a tangible memorial to God's miraculous intervention. The deliberate act of setting them in the Jordan rather than solely on the bank adds a layer of profound reverence and sacredness for the exact, hallowed spot where the Ark of the Covenant stood, symbolizing God's direct presence and power at the very heart of the miracle. The recurring phrase "unto this day" functions as an affirmation of historical veracity, a common and effective literary device in biblical narratives that authenticates the account and underscores the lasting impact and observable evidence of the divine act. This also contributes significantly to the didactic purpose of the narrative, ensuring that the event serves as a perpetual lesson for future generations about God's unwavering faithfulness, His omnipotent power, and the importance of remembering His mighty deeds.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 4:9 profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and His strategic use of tangible reminders to transmit divine truth across generations. The act of setting up memorial stones echoes earlier instances where God commanded or inspired the creation of physical markers to commemorate divine encounters or significant events, ensuring that His mighty acts would not be forgotten. These stones in the Jordan serve not only as a historical record but as a profound theological statement about God's active involvement in the life of His people, His absolute sovereignty over creation, and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His promises. They underscore the timeless principle that remembering God's past faithfulness strengthens faith for present challenges and provides an enduring testimony to His glory for all who inquire.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua's deeply personal act of setting up these submerged stones in the Jordan offers a powerful and enduring lesson in intentional remembrance. While the stones at Gilgal served as a grand, public display for the nation, these stones in the riverbed represented a deeper, perhaps more intimate, memorial, marking the very spot where God's tangible presence (the Ark) manifested His power in an unprecedented way. This poignant detail reminds us that our faith journey is not solely about grand, public declarations, but also about cherishing and remembering the intimate, sacred moments where God has profoundly intervened in our individual lives. We are called to actively remember our own "Jordan crossings" – those seemingly impossible situations where God miraculously made a way, where His presence was palpable, and where His power broke through formidable obstacles. Creating our own "stones of remembrance," whether through disciplined journaling, specific prayer points, or regular, deliberate reflection, helps us solidify our faith, ground us firmly in God's past faithfulness, and provides a wellspring of hope and courage for navigating future challenges. These personal memorials become a powerful testimony not only to ourselves but also to those we influence, demonstrating the living, active reality of God's transformative work in our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joshua set up twelve stones in the Jordan when twelve other stones were taken out of the Jordan and set up at Gilgal?
Answer: The biblical text clearly indicates two distinct sets of twelve stones, each serving a slightly different, yet complementary, purpose, though both were memorials to the same miraculous event. The twelve stones taken out of the Jordan and set up at Gilgal (Joshua 4:8 and Joshua 4:20) were explicitly commanded by God and served as a highly visible, public monument for the entire nation. Their primary purpose was explicitly stated: to be a teaching tool for future generations, prompting children to inquire about their meaning, allowing parents to recount God's mighty act (Joshua 4:6-7 and Joshua 4:21-22). In contrast, the twelve stones Joshua set up in the midst of the Jordan (Joshua 4:9) were his own initiative, an additional act of reverence. While less visible, being submerged, they marked the precise, sacred spot where the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stood during the miracle. This second set of stones likely served as a deeper, more intimate memorial for Joshua and perhaps for the priests themselves, honoring the exact location of divine power and priestly obedience. It underscored the profound significance of that specific place, ensuring that even the riverbed itself bore a silent, enduring witness to God's intervention.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan and the subsequent memorials in Joshua 4:9 find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's holy presence, led Israel through the seemingly impossible barrier of the Jordan River into the Promised Land, so Jesus Christ, the ultimate embodiment of God's presence and the very Word made flesh, leads His people through the impossible barrier of sin and death into the spiritual promised land of eternal life and rest. The stones set up in the Jordan mark the place where the "waters of judgment" were held back, allowing God's people to pass into new life and inheritance. This powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate and perfect sacrifice on the cross, where He fully bore the judgment for humanity's sin, allowing all who believe in Him to pass safely from spiritual death to eternal life, from the wilderness of sin into the new creation. He is the true "Ark" who stands in the gap, and through His finished work, we are enabled to enter into the glorious rest that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-11). The memorials, both visible and submerged, point to the enduring reality of God's saving power, which culminates in the resurrected Christ, who is our living memorial, forever testifying to God's faithfulness and His triumphant victory over sin and death (Romans 6:4). Through Him, we are not merely entering a physical land, but a spiritual reality where God's promises are fully realized in the new covenant life He offers (2 Corinthians 5:17).