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Joshua 3:16

AdamJerichoSalt SeaSea of the PlainZarethan
Miracles and God's interventionGod's power and sovereignty

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them.

15 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,

the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
KJV
That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
WEB
the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people passed over near Jericho.
ASV
that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
DARBY
the waters which flowed down from above stood [and] rose up in a heap, very far, by Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan; and those that flowed down towards the sea of the plain, the salt sea, were completely cut off. And the people went over opposite to Jericho.
BLB
that the waters stood still—those coming down from above—[and] rose in one heap very far away at Adam, the city that [is] beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) failed, having been cut off, and the people passed over opposite Jericho.
ÅB
da stanset det vann som kom ovenfra, og sto som en vegg langt borte, ved byen Adam, som ligger tett ved Sartan, og det vann som rant ned til ødemarkens hav - Salthavet - løp helt bort, og folket gikk over midt imot Jeriko.
OTB
stoppet vannet som fløt ovenfra og steg opp i en haug langt borte, ved en by som heter Adam, nær Saretan, mens vannet som fløt ned til Araba-sjøen, Saltsjøen, ble helt avskåret. Så folket gikk over rett overfor Jeriko.
B1930
da stanset det vann som kom ovenfra, og stod som en vegg langt borte, ved byen Adam, som ligger tett ved Sartan, og det vann som rant ned til ødemarkens hav - Salthavet - løp helt bort, og folket gikk over midt imot Jeriko.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joshua 3:13

    When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.”

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  • 1 Kings 4:12

    Baana son of Ahilud in Taanach, in Megiddo, and in all of Beth-shean next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah and on past Jokmeam;

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  • 1 Kings 7:46

    The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan.

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  • Genesis 14:3

    The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ).

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  • Deuteronomy 1:1

    These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan—in the Arabah opposite Suph—between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

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  • Psalms 114:3

    The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;

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  • Numbers 34:3

    Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea,

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  • Matthew 8:26–27

    “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

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