Joshua 4:16

16 "Command the priests to come up out of the Jordan River. They are carrying the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept."

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 That day the LORD honored Joshua in the eyes of all of the people of Israel. They had respect for Joshua as long as he lived. They respected him just as much as they had respected Moses.

15 Then the LORD spoke to Joshua. He said,

16 "Command the priests to come up out of the Jordan River. They are carrying the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept."

17 So Joshua gave a command to the priests. He said, "Come up out of the Jordan River."

18 Then the priests came up out of the river. They were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. As soon as they stepped out on dry ground, the water of the Jordan began to flow again. It went over its banks, just as it had done before.