Joshua

Joshua 4:2–9

²“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, ³and 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.’”

⁴So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, ⁵and 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, ⁶to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ ⁷you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”

⁸Thus 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.

⁹Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan,^a in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day.

Footnotes

a 4:9 Some translators And Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan

Read all of Joshua 4

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Joshua 4:2

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Choose	קְח֤וּ	qə·ḥū	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H3947 take
twelve	שְׁנֵ֥ים	šə·nêm	Number - md	H8147 two
men	אִישׁ־	’îš-	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
from among	מִן־	min-	Preposition	H4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
the people	הָעָ֔ם	hā·‘ām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5971 people
one	אֶחָ֥ד	’e·ḥāḏ	Number - masculine singular	H259 one
from each tribe	מִשָּֽׁבֶט׃	miš·šā·ḇeṭ	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular	H7626 rod, staff, club, sceptre

Joshua 4:3

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
and command them	וְצַוּ֣וּ	wə·ṣaw·wū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural	H6680 lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
Take up	שְׂאֽוּ־	śə·’ū-	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H5375 lift, take, carry
for yourselves	לָכֶ֨ם	lā·ḵem	Preposition; second person masculine plural
twelve	שְׁתֵּים־	šə·têm-	Number - fd	H8147 two
stones	אֲבָנִ֑ים	’ă·ḇā·nîm	Noun - feminine plural	H68 stone
from	מִזֶּ֜ה	miz·zeh	Preposition-m; Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
the middle	מִתּ֣וֹךְ	mit·tō·wḵ	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular construct	H8432 midst
of the Jordan	הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן	hay·yar·dên	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3383 Jordan
where the priests	הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים	hak·kō·hă·nîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H3548 priest
were standing	הָכִ֖ין	hā·ḵîn	Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute	H3559 be firm
carry	וְהַעֲבַרְתֶּ֤ם	wə·ha·‘ă·ḇar·tem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
them	אוֹתָם֙	’ō·w·ṯām	Direct object marker; third person masculine plural	H853 mark of the accusative
with you	עִמָּכֶ֔ם	‘im·mā·ḵem	Preposition; second person masculine plural	H5973 with
and set them down	וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֣ם	wə·hin·naḥ·tem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H5117 rest
in the place	בַּמָּל֕וֹן	bam·mā·lō·wn	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4411 lodging-place, inn, khan
where	אֲשֶׁר־	’ă·šer-	Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
you spend	תָּלִ֥ינוּ	tā·lî·nū	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H3885 lodge, pass the night
the night	הַלָּֽיְלָה׃ס	hal·lā·yə·lāh	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3915 twist, night, adversity

Joshua 4:4

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So Joshua	יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ	yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3091 Jehoshua
summoned	וַיִּקְרָ֣א	way·yiq·rā	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7121 call, proclaim, read
the twelve	שְׁנֵ֤ים	šə·nêm	Number - md	H8147 two
men	אִ֔ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
he had appointed	הֵכִ֖ין	hê·ḵîn	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H3559 be firm
from the Israelites	מִבְּנֵ֣י	mib·bə·nê	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
one	אֶחָ֥ד	’e·ḥāḏ	Number - masculine singular	H259 one
from	מִשָּֽׁבֶט׃	miš·šā·ḇeṭ	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular	H7626 rod, staff, club, sceptre

Joshua 4:5

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
and said	וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to them	לָהֶם֙	lā·hem	Preposition; third person masculine plural
Cross over	עִ֠בְרוּ	‘iḇ·rū	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
before	לִפְנֵ֨י	lip̄·nê	Preposition-l; Noun - common plural construct	H6440 face, before
the ark	אֲר֧וֹן	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the LORD	יְהוָ֛ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
your God	אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם	’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H430 God
into	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
the middle	תּ֣וֹךְ	tō·wḵ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H8432 midst
of the Jordan	הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן	hay·yar·dên	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3383 Jordan
Each	אִ֣ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
of you is to take	וְהָרִ֨ימוּ	wə·hā·rî·mū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural	H7311 be high, exalted, rise
a	אַחַת֙	’a·ḥaṯ	Number - feminine singular	H259 one
stone	אֶ֤בֶן	’e·ḇen	Noun - feminine singular	H68 stone
upon	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
his shoulder	שִׁכְמ֔וֹ	šiḵ·mōw	Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H7926 shoulder
according to the number	לְמִסְפַּ֖ר	lə·mis·par	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct	H4557 number, tale
of the tribes	שִׁבְטֵ֥י	šiḇ·ṭê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H7626 rod, staff, club, sceptre
of Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel

Joshua 4:6

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
to	לְמַ֗עַן	lə·ma·‘an	Conjunction	H4616 purpose, intent
serve as	תִּֽהְיֶ֛ה	tih·yeh	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
a sign	א֖וֹת	’ō·wṯ	Noun - common singular	H226 sign
among you	בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם	bə·qir·bə·ḵem	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine plural	H7130 inward part, midst
In the future	מָחָר֙	mā·ḥār	Adverb	H4279 tomorrow, in time to come
when	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
your children	בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם	bə·nê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H1121 son
ask	יִשְׁאָל֨וּן	yiš·’ā·lūn	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural; Paragogic nun	H7592 ask, inquire
What	מָ֛ה	māh	Interrogative	H4100 what? how? aught
do these	הָאֵ֖לֶּה	hā·’êl·leh	Article; Pronoun - common plural	H428 these
stones	הָאֲבָנִ֥ים	hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm	Article; Noun - feminine plural	H68 stone
mean to you	לָכֶֽם׃	lā·ḵem	Preposition; second person masculine plural

Joshua 4:7

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
you are to tell	וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם	wa·’ă·mar·tem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H559 utter, say
them	לָהֶ֗ם	lā·hem	Preposition; third person masculine plural
The waters	מֵימֵ֤י	mê·mê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H4325 water, juice, urine
of the Jordan	הַיַּרְדֵּן֙	hay·yar·dên	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3383 Jordan
were cut off	נִכְרְת֜וּ	niḵ·rə·ṯū	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural	H3772 cut off, cut down
before	מִפְּנֵי֙	mip·pə·nê	Preposition-m; Noun - common plural construct	H6440 face, before
the ark	אֲר֣וֹן	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the covenant	בְּרִית־	bə·rîṯ-	Noun - feminine singular construct	H1285 covenant
of the LORD	יְהוָ֔ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
When it crossed	בְּעָבְרוֹ֙	bə·‘ā·ḇə·rōw	Preposition-b; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine singular	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
the Jordan	בַּיַּרְדֵּ֔ן	bay·yar·dên	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3383 Jordan
waters	מֵ֣י	mê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H4325 water, juice, urine
were cut off	נִכְרְת֖וּ	niḵ·rə·ṯū	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural	H3772 cut off, cut down
Therefore these	הָאֵ֧לֶּה	hā·’êl·leh	Article; Pronoun - common plural	H428 these
stones	הָאֲבָנִ֨ים	hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm	Article; Noun - feminine plural	H68 stone
will be	וְ֠הָיוּ	wə·hā·yū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
a memorial	לְזִכָּר֛וֹן	lə·zik·kā·rō·wn	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular	H2146 memorial, remembrance
to the Israelites	לִבְנֵ֥י	liḇ·nê	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
forever	עוֹלָֽם׃	‘ō·w·lām	Noun - masculine singular	H5769 long duration, antiquity, futurity

Joshua 4:8

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Thus the Israelites	בְּנֵי־	bə·nê-	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
did	וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־	way·ya·‘ă·śū-	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H6213 do, make
as	כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר	ka·’ă·šer	Preposition-k; Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
Joshua	יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֒	yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3091 Jehoshua
had commanded them	צִוָּ֣ה	ṣiw·wāh	Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H6680 lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
They took up	וַיִּשְׂא֡וּ	way·yiś·’ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H5375 lift, take, carry
twelve	שְׁתֵּֽי־	šə·tê-	Number - feminine dual construct	H8147 two
stones	אֲבָנִ֜ים	’ă·ḇā·nîm	Noun - feminine plural	H68 stone
from the middle	מִתּ֣וֹךְ	mit·tō·wḵ	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular construct	H8432 midst
of the Jordan	הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן	hay·yar·dên	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3383 Jordan
one for each	לְמִסְפַּ֖ר	lə·mis·par	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct	H4557 number, tale
tribe	שִׁבְטֵ֣י	šiḇ·ṭê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H7626 rod, staff, club, sceptre
of Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
just as	כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר	ka·’ă·šer	Preposition-k; Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
the LORD	יְהוָה֙	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
had told	דִּבֶּ֤ר	dib·ber	Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H1696 speak
Joshua	יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ	yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3091 Jehoshua
and they carried	וַיַּעֲבִר֤וּם	way·ya·‘ă·ḇi·rūm	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural; third person masculine plural	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
them	עִמָּם֙	‘im·mām	Preposition; third person masculine plural	H5973 with
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
the camp	הַמָּל֔וֹן	ham·mā·lō·wn	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4411 lodging-place, inn, khan
where they set them down	וַיַּנִּח֖וּם	way·yan·ni·ḥūm	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural; third person masculine plural	H5117 rest

Joshua 4:9

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Joshua also	יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮	yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3091 Jehoshua
set up	הֵקִ֣ים	hê·qîm	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H6965 arise, stand up, stand
twelve	וּשְׁתֵּ֧ים	ū·šə·têm	Conjunctive waw; Number - fd	H8147 two
stones	אֲבָנִ֗ים	’ă·ḇā·nîm	Noun - feminine plural	H68 stone
in the middle	בְּת֣וֹךְ	bə·ṯō·wḵ	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct	H8432 midst
of the Jordan	הַיַּרְדֵּן֒	hay·yar·dên	Article; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3383 Jordan
in the place	תַּ֗חַת	ta·ḥaṯ	Preposition	H8478 the under part
where the priests	הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים	hak·kō·hă·nîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H3548 priest
who carried	נֹשְׂאֵ֖י	nō·śə·’ê	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct	H5375 lift, take, carry
the ark	אֲר֣וֹן	’ă·rō·wn	Noun - common singular construct	H727 chest, ark
of the covenant	הַבְּרִ֑ית	hab·bə·rîṯ	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H1285 covenant
stood	מַצַּב֙	maṣ·ṣaḇ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H4673 standing-place, station, garrison
And	וַיִּ֣הְיוּ	way·yih·yū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
there	שָׁ֔ם	šām	Adverb	H8033 there, thither
to	עַ֖ד	‘aḏ	Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
this	הַזֶּֽה׃	haz·zeh	Article; Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
day	הַיּ֥וֹם	hay·yō·wm	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3117 day

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Joshua 4:2 Joshua 3:12

Joshua 4:3 Joshua 4:19–20 · Joshua 3:13 · Joshua 4:8

Joshua 4:6 Exodus 13:14 · Joshua 4:21 · Psalm 44:1 · Deuteronomy 6:20–21 · Joshua 22:27 · Deuteronomy 11:19 · Isaiah 38:19 · Isaiah 55:13 · Psalm 71:18 · Exodus 12:26–27 · Psalm 78:3–8

Joshua 4:7 Exodus 12:14 · Exodus 28:12 · Numbers 16:40 · Psalm 111:4 · Joshua 3:13–16

Joshua 4:9 1 Samuel 7:12

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.