Joshua 4:3

1 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua,

2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,

and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’”

4 So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe,

5 and said to them, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of Israel,

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
and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’”
KJV
And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
WEB
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, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”
ASV
and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst 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 lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night.
DARBY
and command them, saying, Take up hence out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place where ye shall lodge this night.
BLB
And command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves from this [place] out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where stood firm the priests’ feet, twelve stones, and you⁺ shall carry them over with you⁺ and leave them in the lodging place, in which you⁺ lodge tonight.’”
ÅB
og befal dem og si: Ta opp her fra Jordans bunn tolv steiner, fra det sted hvor prestenes føtter står, og hold dem ferdige, og bær dem med dere over og legg dem ned på det sted hvor dere blir denne natt over!
OTB
og gi dem beskjed om å ta tolv steiner fra midten av Jordan, fra stedet der prestene står fast, og bære dem med dere for å plassere dem på stedet der dere skal overnatte i natt."
B1930
og byd dem og si: Ta op her fra Jordans bunn tolv stener, fra det sted hvor prestenes føtter står, og hold dem ferdige, og bær dem med eder over og legg dem ned på det sted hvor I blir denne natt over!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joshua 4:19–20

    On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.

    Read in context
  • 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.”

    Read in context
  • Joshua 4:8

    Thus the Israelites did as Joshua had commanded them. They took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each tribe of Israel, just as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them to the camp, where they set them down.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 27:1–26

    Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 11:4

    The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 7:12

    Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

    Read in context
  • Luke 19:40

    “I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”

    Read in context
  • Psalms 103:2

    Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds—

    Read in context