Joshua 4:24

24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

Joshua 4:24 in Other Translations

KJV
24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
ESV
24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."
NLT
24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD ’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the LORD your God forever.”
MSG
24 This was so that everybody on earth would recognize how strong God's rescuing hand is and so that you would hold God in solemn reverence always."
CSB
24 This is so that all the people of the earth may know that the Lord's hand is mighty, and so that you may always fear the Lord your God."

Joshua 4:24 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 4:24

That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the
Lord, that it [is] mighty
Even almighty, and can do that which is marvellous and surprising, and above the power of nature to effect; things unsearchable and past finding out, which cannot be expressed, or conceived how and by what means they are brought about; this the very Heathens would own and acknowledge when they should see these stones, and be told the meaning of them, or should hear of this amazing event:

that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever;
as the above mentioned end was to be answered among the people of the earth by these stones, this among the people of Israel; who upon sight of them would call to mind the power and goodness of God, which would serve to keep an awe of his majesty on their mind, a due reverence of him and his greatness, and engage them to fear, serve, and worship him; who by such acts as these had abundantly showed himself to be the only true and living God, and the covenant God of them his people Israel; the Septuagint version is,

``that ye may worship the Lord your God in every work.''

Joshua 4:24 In-Context

22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’
23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.
24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. 1 Kings 8:60; 1 Kings 8:42-43; 2 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 18:36; 2 Kings 5:15; Psalms 67:2; Psalms 83:18; Psalms 106:8; Isaiah 37:20; Isaiah 52:10; Jeremiah 10:7
  • 2. Exodus 15:16; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 89:13; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 118:15-16
  • 3. S Exodus 14:31
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