Joshua 3:13 - It shall be that when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off. The waters that come down from above shall stand in one heap.”
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What does "Joshua 3:13" mean?
This verse, Joshua 3:13, is a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land after their long journey through the wilderness. It details the miraculous sign that will signal the crossing of the Jordan River. Let's break down the meaning:
"It shall be that when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan...": This sets the stage. The key is the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the most sacred object to the Israelites, representing God's presence among them. Yahweh is the personal name of God, and "the Lord of all the earth" emphasizes His sovereignty and power. The act of the priests stepping into the Jordan River with the Ark is an act of faith and obedience. They are trusting that God will intervene.
"...that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off.": This is the promised miracle. God will stop the natural flow of the river. This is not a gradual event; it's a sudden and decisive cutting off of the water flow.
"The waters that come down from above shall stand in one heap.": This describes the physical manifestation of the miracle. The waters flowing downstream will stop and pile up, creating a dam-like effect. This would allow the Israelites to cross the riverbed on dry ground. The "waters that come down from above" refers to the water flowing from the northern sources of the Jordan River.
In essence, the verse means:
God is promising a miraculous event that will demonstrate His power and faithfulness to the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land. The moment the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant (symbolizing God's presence), step into the Jordan River, God will supernaturally stop the flow of the river, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground.
Significance:
Demonstration of God's Power: The miracle is a powerful display of God's ability to control nature and fulfill His promises. It reassures the Israelites that He is with them and will help them conquer the land.
Symbolic Parallel to the Red Sea: This event echoes the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus, further solidifying God's power and reminding the Israelites of His past deliverance.
Act of Faith and Obedience: The priests' willingness to step into the river before the waters part shows their trust in God's promise. It encourages the rest of the nation to follow in faith.
Entering the Promised Land under God's Guidance: This miracle signifies that the Israelites are entering the Promised Land not by their own strength, but by the grace and power of God. The Ark, representing God's presence, leads the way.
This verse is crucial to understanding the book of Joshua and the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. It emphasizes the importance of faith, obedience, and God's active role in their lives.
Joshua 3:13 - It shall be that when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off. The waters that come down from above shall stand in one heap.”
What does "Joshua 3:13" mean?
This verse, Joshua 3:13, is a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land after their long journey through the wilderness. It details the miraculous sign that will signal the crossing of the Jordan River. Let's break down the meaning:
"It shall be that when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan...": This sets the stage. The key is the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the most sacred object to the Israelites, representing God's presence among them. Yahweh is the personal name of God, and "the Lord of all the earth" emphasizes His sovereignty and power. The act of the priests stepping into the Jordan River with the Ark is an act of faith and obedience. They are trusting that God will intervene.
"...that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off.": This is the promised miracle. God will stop the natural flow of the river. This is not a gradual event; it's a sudden and decisive cutting off of the water flow.
"The waters that come down from above shall stand in one heap.": This describes the physical manifestation of the miracle. The waters flowing downstream will stop and pile up, creating a dam-like effect. This would allow the Israelites to cross the riverbed on dry ground. The "waters that come down from above" refers to the water flowing from the northern sources of the Jordan River.
In essence, the verse means:
God is promising a miraculous event that will demonstrate His power and faithfulness to the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land. The moment the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant (symbolizing God's presence), step into the Jordan River, God will supernaturally stop the flow of the river, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground.
Significance:
Demonstration of God's Power: The miracle is a powerful display of God's ability to control nature and fulfill His promises. It reassures the Israelites that He is with them and will help them conquer the land.
Symbolic Parallel to the Red Sea: This event echoes the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus, further solidifying God's power and reminding the Israelites of His past deliverance.
Act of Faith and Obedience: The priests' willingness to step into the river before the waters part shows their trust in God's promise. It encourages the rest of the nation to follow in faith.
Entering the Promised Land under God's Guidance: This miracle signifies that the Israelites are entering the Promised Land not by their own strength, but by the grace and power of God. The Ark, representing God's presence, leads the way.
This verse is crucial to understanding the book of Joshua and the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. It emphasizes the importance of faith, obedience, and God's active role in their lives.