Joshua 3:12

12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.

Joshua 3:12 in Other Translations

12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man.

12 Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.

12 Now take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from each tribe.

12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.

12 Choose one man from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

12 Now choose 12 men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.

12 "Choose 12 men from the tribes of Israel. Choose one from each tribe.

Joshua 3:12 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 3:12

Now therefore take ye twelve men
For what end and purpose is not mentioned. Abarbinel is of opinion, that they were chosen and appointed, that every man might pitch upon and take a place for his tribe to encamp in, when they came on the other side Jordan: whether this was Joshua's view or no is not certain; however, the use he made of these, thus provided by divine direction, is related ( Joshua 4:2-4 ) ;

and these were to be taken out of the tribes of Israel, out of every
tribe a man;
Levi not reckoned, having no part in the land; and so we find that tribe left out in other accounts, when there was a choice of twelve men out of each of the tribes, ( Numbers 13:4 ) ( 34:19 ) .

Joshua 3:12 In-Context

10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.

11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.

13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 4:2,4