Joshua3
New International Version
1Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
2After three days the officers went throughout the camp,
3giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
4Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
5Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
6Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.
7And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.
8Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
9Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.
10This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.
11See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.
12Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
13And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
14So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.
15Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,
16the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
17The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Israelites come to Jordan. (1–6). The Lord encourages joshua—Joshua encourages the people. (7–13). The Israelites pass through Jordan on dry land. (14–17).
vv1-6
The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it. In the way of duty, let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his early rising, as afterwards upon other occasions, which shows how little he sought his own ease. Those who would bring great things to pass, must rise early. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. All in public stations should always attend to the duty of their place. The people were to follow the ark. Thus must we walk after the rule of the word, and the direction of the Spirit, in everything; so shall peace be upon us as upon the Israel of God; but we must follow our ministers only as they follow Christ. All their way through the wilderness was an untrodden path, but most so this through Jordan. While we are here, we must expect and prepare to pass ways that we have not passed before; but in the path of duty we may proceed with boldness and cheerfulness. Whether we are called to suffer poverty, pain, labour, persecution, reproach, or death, we are following the Author and Finisher of our faith; nor can we set our feet in any dangerous or difficult spot, through our whole journey, but faith will there see the prints of the Redeemer's feet, who trod that very path to glory above, and bids us follow him, that where he is, we may be also. They were to sanctify themselves. Would we experience the effects of God's love and power, we must put away sin, and be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
vv7-13
The waters of Jordan shall be cut off. This must be done in such a way as never was done, but in the dividing of the Red sea. That miracle is here repeated; God has the same power to finish the salvation of his people, as to begin it; the WORD of the Lord was as truly with Joshua as with Moses. God's appearances for his people ought to encourage faith and hope. God's work is perfect, he will keep his people. Jordan's flood cannot keep out Israel, Canaan's force cannot turn them out again.
vv14-17
Jordan overflowed all its banks. This magnified the power of God, and his kindness to Israel. Although those who oppose the salvation of God's people have all advantages, yet God can and will conquer. This passage over Jordan, as an entrance to Canaan, after their long, weary wanderings in the wilderness, shadowed out the believer's passage through death to heaven, after he has finished his wanderings in this sinful world. Jesus, typified by the ark, hath gone before, and he crossed the river when it most flooded the country around. Let us treasure up experiences of His faithful and tender care, that they may help our faith and hope in the last conflict.
Key Words
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ: Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader
שָׁכַם: literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning
בֹּקֶר: properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
נָסַע: properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney
שִׁטִּים: Shittim, a place East of the Jordan
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יַרְדֵּן: Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לוּן: to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
Cross References
Joshua 3Direct historical fulfillment of God's promise to magnify Joshua in the sight of all Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The standard law regarding carrying the Ark, contrasted with priests bearing it on this occasion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The model of ritual and spiritual sanctification before major manifestations of God's presence.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Poetic celebration of Jordan driven back, pairing this event with the Red Sea crossing.
Supported by John Calvin
God's promise to be with Joshua as He was with Moses is fulfilled here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Red Sea predecessor; demonstrates that God finishes salvation with the same power He began it.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
The same Hebrew term for waters standing 'upon an heap' is used of both crossings.
Supported by JFB
Confirms historical reality of Jordan overflowing its banks during the spring harvest season.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The chronological link to the completion of the three days previously commanded.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Specifies the role of the priests, the sons of Levi, who bear the Ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Geographical location of Zarethan, helping define where the waters rose up far away.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Shittim as the final staging camp prior to Jordan.
Supported by JFB
The precedent for setting bounds around holy things to maintain reverence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matching list of the seven nations of Canaan to be driven out before Israel.
Supported by John Calvin