Joshua 4:16

16 Command the priests who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of 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 On that day Yahweh magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

15 Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,

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

17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come you up out of the Jordan.

18 It happened, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before.