Joshua3
New Living Translation
1Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing.
2Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp,
3giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them.
4Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”
5Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”
6In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people.
7The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.
8Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’”
9So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says.
10Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you.
11Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River!
12Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
13The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.”
14So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them.
15It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge,
16the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.
17Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan 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