New International Version He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ New Living Translation Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ English Standard Version And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Berean Standard Bible Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ Berean Literal Bible And he spoke to the sons of Israel, saying, “When your⁺ sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ King James Bible And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? New King James Version Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ New American Standard Bible And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ NASB 1995 He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ NASB 1977 And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ Legacy Standard Bible Then he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Amplified Bible He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Berean Annotated Bible Then Joshua said to the Israelites (God prevails), “In the future, when your⁺ children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones? Christian Standard Bible and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones? ’ Holman Christian Standard Bible and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ American Standard Version And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Contemporary English Version Then Joshua told the people: Years from now your children will ask you why these rocks are here. English Revised Version And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? GOD'S WORD® Translation He said to the people of Israel, "In the future when children ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' Good News Translation And he said to the people of Israel, "In the future, when your children ask you what these stones mean, International Standard Version Then he told the Israelis, "When your descendants ask their parents in years to come, 'What is the meaning of these stones?' NET Bible He told the Israelites, "When your children someday ask their fathers, 'What do these stones represent?' New Heart English Bible He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean?' Webster's Bible Translation And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ World English Bible He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he speaks to the sons of Israel, saying, “When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What [are] these stones? Berean Literal Bible And he spoke to the sons of Israel, saying, “When your⁺ sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ Young's Literal Translation And he speaketh unto the sons of Israel, saying, 'When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What are these stones? Smith's Literal Translation And he will say to the sons of Israel, saying, When your sons shall ask their fathers to-morrow, saying, What these stones? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd said to the children of Israel: When your children shall ask their fathers, to morrow, and shall say to them: What mean these stones? Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to the sons of Israel: “When your sons will question their fathers, tomorrow, and they will say to them, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ New American Bible saying to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ New Revised Standard Version saying to the Israelites, “When your children ask their parents in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to the children of Israel, When your children shall ask you in time to come, saying, What is the meaning of these stones? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to the children of Israel: “When your children of tomorrow will ask you and they will say to you, ‘What are these stones?’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he spoke unto the children of Israel, saying: 'When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying: What mean these stones? Brenton Septuagint Translation saying, When your sons ask you, saying, What are these stones? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Camp at Gilgal…20And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. 21Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ 22you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’… Cross References Then Joshua said to the Israelites, Joshua 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said, Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. “In the future, Deuteronomy 4:9-10 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.” Psalm 78:4-6 We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children when your children ask their fathers, Exodus 12:26-27 When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ / you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. Exodus 13:14 In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 6:20-21 In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” / then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ Genesis 31:46-48 and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. / Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. / Then Laban declared, “This mound is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore the place was called Galeed. Deuteronomy 27:2-3 And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. / Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 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.” Psalm 105:1-5 Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. / Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. / Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. … Psalm 145:4-7 One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— / the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. / They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. … Isaiah 38:19 The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness. Joel 1:3 Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. Deuteronomy 11:19 Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel. Treasury of Scripture And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? When your Joshua 4:6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Psalm 105:2-5 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works… Psalm 145:4-7 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts… in time to come [hb] to-morrow Jump to Previous Children Descendants Hereafter Israel Israelites Mean Speaketh Stones Time WhatJump to Next Children Descendants Hereafter Israel Israelites Mean Speaketh Stones Time WhatJoshua 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 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, After the Lord brought Israel safely across the Jordan on dry ground, Joshua addressed the nation as its appointed leader after Moses. The crossing marked Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land and displayed God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. Jos 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders… “In the future, Israel was to preserve the memory of God’s deliverance so that later generations would know what He had done. Deu 4:9-10 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves… when your children ask their fathers, Parents were responsible for teaching their children Israel’s history, covenant identity, and the works of the Lord. Exo 12:26-27 When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean… ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ The twelve stones, taken from the Jordan and set up at Gilgal, represented the twelve tribes and served as a permanent memorial of the day God stopped the river before Israel. Gen 31:46-48 and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.”… Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, who guided them into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, instructing the Israelites on the significance of the memorial stones. 2. The Israelites The people of God who crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. They are the recipients of Joshua's instructions and the ones responsible for passing down the account to future generations. 3. The Jordan River The body of water that the Israelites miraculously crossed on dry ground, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness. 4. Memorial Stones Twelve stones taken from the Jordan River, set up as a memorial to remind future generations of God's miraculous intervention. 5. Future Generations The children of the Israelites who will inquire about the meaning of the stones, representing the continuity of faith and the importance of teaching God's works. Teaching Points The Importance of RemembranceJust as the Israelites set up stones to remember God's faithfulness, we should establish practices or symbols in our lives that remind us of God's work and promises. Passing Down Faith It is crucial for parents and elders to share accounts of God's faithfulness with younger generations, ensuring the continuity of faith. God's Faithfulness in Our Lives Reflect on personal "Jordan River" moments where God has intervened miraculously, and consider how to memorialize these events. Engaging with Questions Encourage curiosity and questions about faith from younger generations, using them as opportunities to teach and reinforce God's truths. Community Testimony The stones were a collective memorial for all Israel. Similarly, our testimonies should be shared within our communities to strengthen collective faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 4:21?2. How can we use memorials to teach future generations about God's faithfulness? 3. What does Joshua 4:21 reveal about the importance of remembering God's works? 4. How does Joshua 4:21 connect with Deuteronomy 6:7 about teaching children? 5. In what ways can we apply Joshua 4:21 in our family traditions? 6. How can we ensure our testimonies prompt questions like "What do these stones mean?" 7. What is the significance of the stones mentioned in Joshua 4:21 for Israel's history? 8. How does Joshua 4:21 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises? 9. Why did God instruct Joshua to set up memorial stones in Joshua 4:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 4? Verse 21. - When. Hebrews אֲֶשר. The relative pronoun here is sometimes equivalent to "when," as in Deuteronomy 11:6; 1 Kings 8:9. Gesenius would translate "if that," and Keil would render by quod. Joshua 4:21 teaches that God’s mighty works are to be remembered, retold, and relived through family discipleship. The leader addresses all Israel, points to future generations, appoints parents as primary teachers, and installs a lasting monument so every inquiry can be answered with the story of the Lord’s faithful deliverance. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then [Joshua] saidוַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the Israelites, בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son “In the future, מָחָר֙ (mā·ḥār) Adverb Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter when אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that your children בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם (bə·nê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son ask יִשְׁאָל֨וּן (yiš·’ā·lūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand their fathers, אֲבוֹתָ֣ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father ‘What מָ֖ה (māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what is the meaning of these הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those stones?’ הָאֲבָנִ֥ים (hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 68: A stone Additonal Resources Joshua 4:21 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 4:21 Bible Gateway Joshua 4:21 Bible.com Joshua 4:21 NIV |
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