Joshua 4:16

16 Command the Kohanim who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Yarden.

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 the LORD magnified Yehoshua in the sight of all Yisra'el; and they feared him, as they feared Moshe, all the days of his life.

15 The LORD spoke to Yehoshua, saying,

16 Command the Kohanim who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Yarden.

17 Yehoshua therefore commanded the Kohanim, saying, Come up out of the Yarden.

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