Joshua 3:1-5

Crossing the Jordan

1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.

2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp,

3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits^[a] between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua 3:1-5 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. S Joshua 2:1
• 2. S Genesis 13:10; Job 40:23
• 3. S Genesis 40:13; Joshua 2:16
• 4. S Deuteronomy 1:15
• 5. Joshua 1:11
• 6. S Numbers 10:33
• 7. ver 8,17; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 31:9; 1 Kings 8:3
• 8. 1 Samuel 6:15
• 9. Numbers 35:5
• 10. S Exodus 29:1; S Leviticus 11:44; Exodus 19:10,14; Leviticus 20:7; Joshua 7:13; 1 Samuel 16:5; Joel 2:16
• 11. Judges 6:13; 1 Chronicles 16:9,24; Psalms 26:7; Psalms 75:1

Footnotes

• [a] That is, about 3,000 feet or about 900 meters