Joshua 4:16

16 “Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant law to come up out of the Jordan.”

Joshua 4:16 in Other Translations

16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.

16 "Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan."

16 “Command the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to come up out of the riverbed.”

16 "Command the priests carrying the Chest of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan."

16 "Command the priests who carry the ark of the testimony to come up from the Jordan."

Joshua 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 4:16

Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony
In all places before, in this history, the ark is called the ark of the covenant, here the ark of the testimony, which signifies the same thing, the law; which was both the covenant between God and the people, and a testimony of his will unto them; the Septuagint version has both words:

that they come up out of Jordan;
where they stayed until all the people passed over, for the encouragement of them, and until they received this order.

Joshua 4:16 In-Context

14 That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.

15 Then the LORD said to Joshua,

16 “Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant law to come up out of the Jordan.”

17 So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.”

18 And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 25:22