Joshua 3:4-14

4 sitque inter vos et arcam spatium cubitorum duum milium ut procul videre possitis et nosse per quam viam ingrediamini quia prius non ambulastis per eam et cavete ne adpropinquetis ad arcam

5 dixitque Iosue ad populum sanctificamini cras enim faciet Dominus inter vos mirabilia

6 et ait ad sacerdotes tollite arcam foederis et praecedite populum qui iussa conplentes tulerunt et ambulaverunt ante eos

7 dixitque Dominus ad Iosue hodie incipiam exaltare te coram omni Israhel ut sciant quod sicut cum Mosi fui ita et tecum sim

8 tu autem praecipe sacerdotibus qui portant arcam foederis et dic eis cum ingressi fueritis partem aquae Iordanis state in ea

9 dixitque Iosue ad filios Israhel accedite huc et audite verba Domini Dei vestri

10 et rursum in hoc inquit scietis quod Dominus Deus vivens in medio vestri est et disperdat in conspectu vestro Chananeum Hettheum Eveum et Ferezeum Gergeseum quoque et Amorreum et Iebuseum

11 ecce arca foederis Domini omnis terrae antecedet vos per Iordanem

12 parate duodecim viros de tribubus Israhel singulos per singulas tribus

13 et cum posuerint vestigia pedum suorum sacerdotes qui portant arcam Domini Dei universae terrae in aquis Iordanis aquae quae inferiores sunt decurrent atque deficient quae autem desuper veniunt in una mole consistent

14 igitur egressus est populus de tabernaculis suis ut transirent Iordanem et sacerdotes qui portabant arcam foederis pergebant ante eum

Joshua 3:4-14 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.