Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. New Living Translation Meanwhile, 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. English Standard Version Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. New King James Version Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan. New American Standard Bible And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. NASB 1995 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. NASB 1977 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. Legacy Standard Bible And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground until all the nation had completed crossing the Jordan. Amplified Bible And while all [the people of] Israel crossed over on dry ground, the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan [riverbed], until all the nation had finished crossing over the Jordan. Christian Standard Bible The priests carrying the ark of the LORD’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan. Holman Christian Standard Bible The priests carrying the ark of the LORD’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan. American Standard Version And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over the Jordan. English Revised Version And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over Jordan. GOD'S WORD® Translation The priests who carried the ark of the LORD's promise stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. Good News Translation While the people walked across on dry ground, the priests carrying the LORD's Covenant Box stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan until all the people had crossed over. International Standard Version The priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan River. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side. New Heart English Bible The priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan. Webster's Bible Translation And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people had passed quite over Jordan. World English Bible The priests who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH stand on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan—established, and all Israel are passing over on dry ground until all the nation has completed to pass over the Jordan. Young's Literal Translation and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah stand on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan -- established, and all Israel are passing over on dry ground till that all the nation hath completed to pass over the Jordan. Smith's Literal Translation And the priests lifting up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah will stand firm upon the dry land that in the midst of Jordan, and all Israel passing over upon the dry till all the peoples finished to pass over Jordan. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the people marched over against Jericho: and the priests that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, stood girded upon the dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all the people passed over through the channel that was dried up. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the people advanced opposite Jericho. And the priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord were standing, fully-dressed, upon dry soil in the midst of the Jordan, and all the people passed over, through the channel that was dried up. New American Bible The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood on dry ground in the Jordan riverbed while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until the whole nation had completed the crossing of the Jordan. New Revised Standard Version While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground until all the people finished passing over the Jordan. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant of LORD JEHOVAH stood on dry land within the Jordan, and all of the house of Israel were prepared. They crossed over on dry land until all the people finished crossing the Jordan OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, while all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over the Jordan. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry land in the midst of Jordan; and all the children of Israel went through on dry land, until all the people had completely gone over Jordan. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Crossing the Jordan…16the 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. 17The 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. Cross References Exodus 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. 2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Psalm 114:3 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; Isaiah 43:16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, Hebrews 11:29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned. 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Exodus 15:8 At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. Psalm 66:6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him. Isaiah 51:10 Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? Nehemiah 9:11 You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters. Psalm 77:16-20 The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. ... 2 Kings 2:14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over. John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, Acts 7:36 He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. Exodus 14:29 But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. Treasury of Scripture And the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. the priests Joshua 3:3-6 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it… stood firm Joshua 4:3 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. 2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. all the Israelites Exodus 14:22,29 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left… Psalm 66:6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. Jump to Previous Ark Bare Bore Carried Completely Covenant Crossing Dry Israel Israelites Jordan Middle Midst Nation Passed Passing Priests Quite StoodJump to Next Ark Bare Bore Carried Completely Covenant Crossing Dry Israel Israelites Jordan Middle Midst Nation Passed Passing Priests Quite StoodJoshua 3 1. Joshua come to Jordan2. The officers instruct the people for their passage 7. The Lord encourages Joshua 9. Joshua encourages the people 14. The water of Jordan are divided The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel. The priests, from the tribe of Levi, were responsible for carrying the Ark, emphasizing the holiness and reverence required in handling it. This act signifies God's leadership and guidance as Israel enters the Promised Land, reminiscent of the Ark's role in leading the Israelites through the wilderness. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. The PriestsThese were the Levitical priests responsible for carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Their role was crucial as they led the people by faith into the Jordan River, symbolizing spiritual leadership and obedience to God's commands. 2. The Ark of the Covenant This sacred chest represented God's presence among His people. It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna, symbolizing God's covenant, authority, and provision. 3. The Jordan River A significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites. Crossing it marked the transition from the wilderness into the Promised Land, symbolizing a step of faith and obedience. 4. The Israelites The nation of Israel, God's chosen people, who were transitioning from a nomadic life in the wilderness to settling in the Promised Land. Their crossing signifies a collective act of faith and trust in God's promises. 5. The Promised Land The land of Canaan, promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. It represents God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Teaching Points Faith in ActionThe priests stepping into the Jordan River before it parted is a powerful example of faith in action. We are called to step out in faith, trusting God's promises even when the path isn't clear. God's Presence Leads The Ark of the Covenant going before the Israelites signifies the importance of God's presence leading our lives. We should seek His guidance in all our endeavors. Collective Obedience The entire nation crossing together highlights the strength and unity found in collective obedience to God. As a community of believers, we are called to support and encourage one another in our faith journeys. Miraculous Provision Just as God provided dry ground for the Israelites, He provides for us in miraculous ways. We should remain attentive to His provision and give thanks for His faithfulness. Transition and Transformation Crossing the Jordan was a transition from the old to the new. In our spiritual lives, we are continually called to leave behind old ways and embrace the new life in Christ.Verse 17. - Firm. The LXX. does not translate this. The Vulgate renders accincti. The original, literally translated, means to cause to stand upright. In the midst of Jordan. That is, they stood surrounded by water, but not in midstream, which would be expressed by בְּקֶרֶב as in ver. 10, where our version has "among" (see note on Joshua 4:9). So Drusius: "In medio Jordanis; i.e., intra Jordanem. Sic Tyrus legitur sita in corde maris; i.e., intra mare nam non procul abest a continente." Clean over. The word is the same as that translated "failed" in the last note. It means completion - "till the people had entirely finished crossing." Origen thus explains, in his fourth homily on Joshua, the mystical signification of this crossing the Jordan: "Cure catechumenorum aggregatus es numero, et praeceptis Ecclesiasticis parere coepisti digressus es mare rubrum, et in deserti stationibus positus, ad audiendam Dei legem, et intuendum Mosei vulture per gloriam Domini revelatum quotidie vacas. Si vero ad mysticum baptismi veneris fontem, et consistente sacerdotali et Levitico ordine initiatus fueris venerandis illis magnificisque sacramentis quae norunt illi quos nosse fas est, hanc etiam sacerdotum ministeriis Jordane digresso terram repromissionis intratis, in qua te post Moysen suscipi Jesus, et ipse tibi efficitur novi itineris dux."
Hebrew The priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest carrying נֹ֠שְׂאֵי (nō·śə·’ê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take the ark הָאָר֨וֹן (hā·’ā·rō·wn) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 727: A chest, ark of the covenant בְּרִית־ (bə·rîṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1285: A covenant of the LORD יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel stood וַיַּעַמְד֣וּ (way·ya·‘am·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations firm הָכֵ֑ן (hā·ḵên) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 3559: To be erect on dry ground בֶּחָֽרָבָ֛ה (be·ḥā·rā·ḇāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2724: Dry ground in the middle בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre of the Jordan, הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine while all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc crossed over עֹֽבְרִים֙ (‘ō·ḇə·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on the dry ground, בֶּחָ֣רָבָ֔ה (be·ḥā·rā·ḇāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2724: Dry ground until עַ֤ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the entire כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every nation הַגּ֔וֹי (hag·gō·w) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts had crossed לַעֲבֹ֖ר (la·‘ă·ḇōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on the Jordan. הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine Links Joshua 3:17 NIVJoshua 3:17 NLT Joshua 3:17 ESV Joshua 3:17 NASB Joshua 3:17 KJV Joshua 3:17 BibleApps.com Joshua 3:17 Biblia Paralela Joshua 3:17 Chinese Bible Joshua 3:17 French Bible Joshua 3:17 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 3:17 The priests who bore the ark (Josh. Jos) |
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