Joshua 4:3 - and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”
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What does "Joshua 4:3" mean?
This verse, Joshua 4:3, is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Let's break down the meaning:
"and command them...": Joshua is instructed by God to give these instructions to specific representatives (likely one from each of the twelve tribes).
"...saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones...": This is the key part. The priests were standing on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River, holding the Ark of the Covenant, miraculously holding back the waters. The representatives are commanded to take twelve stones from that specific place where the priests' feet were. The location is important.
"...and carry them over with you...": They are to take these stones with them as they cross the river to the other side (Canaan).
"...and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’": These stones are to be placed in the Israelite's first campsite in the Promised Land.
Meaning and Significance:
Memorial Stone: The twelve stones served as a monument or memorial. Their purpose was to remind the Israelites and future generations of God's miraculous intervention in stopping the Jordan River so they could cross into the Promised Land. It was a tangible reminder of God's power and faithfulness.
Representation of the Tribes: The twelve stones likely also represent the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing that all of Israel participated in and benefited from this divine act.
Educational Purpose: In Joshua 4:6-7, Joshua explains the purpose of the stones: "that this may be a sign among you, when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”" The stones were meant to prompt future generations to ask about their significance, allowing the older generations to recount the story of God's miraculous deliverance.
Confirmation of Leadership: The miracle itself, and the establishment of the memorial stones, served to reinforce Joshua's leadership and show the people that God was with him just as He had been with Moses.
Claiming the Land: Erecting the stones was also a symbolic act of claiming the land that God had promised them. It was a declaration that they had entered the Promised Land by God's power and authority.
In essence, this verse is about setting up a physical reminder of a pivotal event in Israelite history: God's miraculous intervention in allowing them to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. The stones served as a memorial, a teaching tool, and a symbol of God's power and faithfulness.
Joshua 4:3 - and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”
What does "Joshua 4:3" mean?
This verse, Joshua 4:3, is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Let's break down the meaning:
"and command them...": Joshua is instructed by God to give these instructions to specific representatives (likely one from each of the twelve tribes).
"...saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones...": This is the key part. The priests were standing on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River, holding the Ark of the Covenant, miraculously holding back the waters. The representatives are commanded to take twelve stones from that specific place where the priests' feet were. The location is important.
"...and carry them over with you...": They are to take these stones with them as they cross the river to the other side (Canaan).
"...and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’": These stones are to be placed in the Israelite's first campsite in the Promised Land.
Meaning and Significance:
Memorial Stone: The twelve stones served as a monument or memorial. Their purpose was to remind the Israelites and future generations of God's miraculous intervention in stopping the Jordan River so they could cross into the Promised Land. It was a tangible reminder of God's power and faithfulness.
Representation of the Tribes: The twelve stones likely also represent the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing that all of Israel participated in and benefited from this divine act.
Educational Purpose: In Joshua 4:6-7, Joshua explains the purpose of the stones: "that this may be a sign among you, when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”" The stones were meant to prompt future generations to ask about their significance, allowing the older generations to recount the story of God's miraculous deliverance.
Confirmation of Leadership: The miracle itself, and the establishment of the memorial stones, served to reinforce Joshua's leadership and show the people that God was with him just as He had been with Moses.
Claiming the Land: Erecting the stones was also a symbolic act of claiming the land that God had promised them. It was a declaration that they had entered the Promised Land by God's power and authority.
In essence, this verse is about setting up a physical reminder of a pivotal event in Israelite history: God's miraculous intervention in allowing them to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. The stones served as a memorial, a teaching tool, and a symbol of God's power and faithfulness.