New International Version and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the LORD and the priests came to the other side while the people watched. New Living Translation And when everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of the LORD as the people watched. English Standard Version And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people. Berean Standard Bible and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the LORD crossed in the sight of the people. Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass, when all the people had finished passing over, that the ark of YHWH and the priests passed over before the faces of the people. King James Bible And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. New King James Version Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. New American Standard Bible and when all the people had finished crossing, then the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed in front of the people. NASB 1995 and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed before the people. NASB 1977 and it came about when all the people had finished crossing, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed before the people. Legacy Standard Bible And it happened when all the people had completed crossing, that the ark of Yahweh and the priests crossed before the people. Amplified Bible and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. Berean Annotated Bible and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the LORD {YHWH} crossed in the sight of the people. Christian Standard Bible and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the LORD crossed in the sight of the people. Holman Christian Standard Bible and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the LORD crossed in the sight of the people. American Standard Version And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of Jehovah passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. English Revised Version And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. GOD'S WORD® Translation As soon as everyone had crossed, the priests with the LORD's ark crossed and went ahead of them. Good News Translation When they were all on the other side, the priests with the LORD's Covenant Box went on ahead of the people. International Standard Version When all of the people had completed their crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in full view of the people. NET Bible and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed as the people looked on. New Heart English Bible It happened, when all the people had completely passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, with the priests, in the presence of the people. Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass, when all the people had quite passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests in the presence of the people. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the LORD crossed in the sight of the people. World English Bible When all the people had completely crossed over, Yahweh’s ark crossed over with the priests in the presence of the people. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass, when all the people have completed to pass over, that the Ark of YHWH passes over, and the priests, in the presence of the people; Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass, when all the people had finished passing over, that the ark of YHWH and the priests passed over before the faces of the people. Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass when all the people have completed to pass over, that the ark of Jehovah passeth over, and the priests, in the presence of the people; Smith's Literal Translation And it will be as all the people finished passing over, and the ark of Jehovah will pass through, and the priests before the people. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when they had all passed over, the ark also of the Lord passed over, and the priests went before the people. Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had all crossed, the ark of the Lord also crossed, and the priests advanced before the people. New American Bible and when all the people had completed the crossing, the ark of the LORD also crossed; and the priests were now in front of them. New Revised Standard Version As soon as all the people had finished crossing over, the ark of the LORD, and the priests, crossed over in front of the people. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when all the people had fully passed over and the ark of LORD JEHOVAH crossed over, and the Priests before the people OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed on, and the priests, before the people. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass when all the people had passed over, that the ark of the covenant of the Lord passed over, and the stones before them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Twelve Stones from the Jordan…10Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until the people had completed everything the LORD had commanded Joshua to tell them, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried across, 11 and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the LORD crossed in the sight of the people. 12The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them.… Cross References and after everyone had finished crossing, Joshua 3:17 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. Exodus 14:29-30 But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. / That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. 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. the priests with the ark of the LORD Joshua 3:3 and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. 1 Chronicles 15:14-15 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. / And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD. 1 Kings 8:3-4 When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, / and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. crossed in the sight of the people. Joshua 3:14-16 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / 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. Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses. 1 Kings 8:9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt. Psalm 114:3-5 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; / the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. / Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, 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. 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. Isaiah 43:16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, 1 Chronicles 12:15 These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west. Acts 7:44-45 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. / And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David, Deuteronomy 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.” Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. that the ark Joshua 4:18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. Joshua 3:8,17 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan… Jump to Previous Ark Clean Completed Completely Crossed Crossing Eyes Passed Passeth Passing Presence Priests Quite Side Soon WatchedJump to Next Ark Clean Completed Completely Crossed Crossing Eyes Passed Passeth Passing Presence Priests Quite Side Soon WatchedJoshua 4 1. Twelve men are appointed to take twelve memorial stones from Jordan9. Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan 10. The people pass over 14. God magnifies Joshua 15. The priests commanded to come out of Jordan 20. The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal and after everyone had finished crossing, Israel’s passage through the Jordan was complete, ending the wilderness era and beginning their entrance into the land promised to Abraham. As at the Red Sea, the nation crossed by God’s power, confirming His faithfulness to lead and provide for His people. Jos 3:17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD… the priests with the ark of the LORD The priests carried the Ark, the sign of the LORD’s covenant presence among Israel. Their place at the center of the crossing showed that Israel’s progress into Canaan depended on the God who had gone before them, not on military strength alone. Jos 3:3 “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God”… crossed in the sight of the people. The entire nation saw the priests and the Ark leave the riverbed only after every Israelite had crossed safely. The public event established Joshua’s leadership and assured the people that the LORD would remain with them as they entered the land and faced its inhabitants. Jos 3:14-16 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of God who are crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. 2. The Ark of the LORD A sacred chest that represented God's presence and covenant with Israel. 3. The Priests The Levitical priests who carried the Ark of the LORD and led the people. 4. The Jordan River The body of water that the Israelites miraculously crossed to enter Canaan. 5. Canaan The Promised Land that God had sworn to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessThe crossing of the Jordan River is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as He led the Israelites into the Promised Land, He is faithful to lead us in our spiritual journeys. The Presence of God The Ark of the LORD symbolizes God's presence among His people. In our lives, we are called to carry the presence of God with us, being mindful of His guidance and sovereignty. Leadership and Obedience The priests' role in carrying the Ark and leading the people highlights the importance of godly leadership and obedience to God's commands. We are encouraged to follow leaders who are faithful to God's Word. Miraculous Provision The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River reminds us that God can make a way where there seems to be no way. We are to trust in His provision and timing. Community and Unity The entire community of Israel crossed together, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective faith in the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 4:11?2. How does Joshua 4:11 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What role did the Ark of the Covenant play in Joshua 4:11? 4. How can we trust God's timing as seen in Joshua 4:11? 5. How does Joshua 4:11 connect to God's guidance in Exodus? 6. How can we apply the obedience shown in Joshua 4:11 to our lives? 7. How does Joshua 4:11 demonstrate God's faithfulness to the Israelites? 8. What archaeological evidence supports the crossing of the Jordan in Joshua 4:11? 9. How does Joshua 4:11 relate to the theme of divine intervention in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 4? Joshua 4:11 presents the orderly conclusion of a miraculous crossing: every Israelite first reaches safety, then the priests carrying the Ark step out, all before the watching nation. The verse underscores God’s faithful protection, the centrality of His presence, and the public validation of both His power and Joshua’s leadership. Together these elements encourage believers to trust the Lord who leads, sustains, and completes what He starts. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and afterכַּֽאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that everyone כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every had finished תַּ֥ם (tam) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8552: To be complete or finished crossing, לַֽעֲב֑וֹר (la·‘ă·ḇō·wr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on the priests וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest with the ark אֲרוֹן־ (’ă·rō·wn-) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 727: A chest, ark of the LORD יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel crossed וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on in the sight of לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the people. הָעָֽם׃ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Additonal Resources Joshua 4:11 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 4:11 Bible Gateway Joshua 4:11 Bible.com Joshua 4:11 NIV |
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