Joshua 3:15-16

15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and ¹the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now ²the Jordan overflows all its banks ³throughout the time of harvest),

16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside ⁴Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of ⁵the Arabah, ⁶the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.

Joshua 3:15-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 3

Joshua removed from Shittim to Jordan, where he stayed three days, Jos 3:1,2; the people are directed to move when they saw the ark bore by the priests, and what distance they should keep from it, Jos 3:3,4; are bid to sanctify themselves against the morrow, when wonders would be wrought, Jos 3:5; and the priests are ordered to take up the ark, Jos 3:6; Joshua is encouraged by the Lord, and instructed to command the priests when they come to Jordan to stand still in it, Jos 3:7,8; and he declares to all the people, as a token that God would drive the Canaanites from before them, that as soon as the feet of the priests bearing the ark should rest in the waters of Jordan, they should be parted, and make way for them to pass through, Jos 3:9-13; which accordingly came to pass, so that all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, Jos 3:14-17.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 13
• 2. 1 Chronicles 12:15; Jeremiah 12:5; Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44
• 3. [Joshua 4:18; Joshua 5:10, 12]
• 4. 1 Kings 4:12; 1 Kings 7:46
• 5. See Deuteronomy 1:1
• 6. Genesis 14:3; Numbers 34:3