Joshua 3:11 kjv
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
Joshua 3:11 nkjv
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan.
Joshua 3:11 niv
See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.
Joshua 3:11 esv
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan.
Joshua 3:11 nlt
Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River!
Joshua 3 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:10-22 | “They shall make an ark of acacia wood... Put into the ark the testimony which I will give you... There I will meet with you..." | Instructions for Ark; its purpose as dwelling of God's presence. |
| Num 10:33-36 | “When the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Arise, O LORD, and let Your enemies be scattered!...’” | Ark leads Israel; signifies God's presence and victory. |
| Deut 10:1-5 | "...I made an ark of acacia wood... and put the tablets in the ark..." | Ark contains the covenant tablets. |
| Josh 1:5-9 | “No man will be able to stand before you... just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you...” | God's promise to be with Joshua, affirming his leadership. |
| Josh 3:7-8 | “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel...” | God promises to magnify Joshua before the people. |
| Exod 14:21-22 | “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back... the sons of Israel walked on dry land...” | God parts the Red Sea, demonstrating similar power over water. |
| Ps 114:1-5 | “When Israel went forth... The sea looked and fled... Jordan turned back. Why was it, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back?” | A psalm reflecting on the miraculous Red Sea and Jordan crossings. |
| Isa 11:15-16 | “And the LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; And He will wave His hand over the River... making them go through on dry foot.” | Prophecy of another miraculous drying of waters (type of Exodus). |
| Zech 4:14 | “...these are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of all the earth.” | Direct parallel phrase "Lord of all the earth" emphasizing universal dominion. |
| Ps 97:5 | “The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of all the earth.” | Connects "Lord of all the earth" with power over creation. |
| Mic 4:13 | “Arise and thresh... for I will make your horn iron... You will devote their gain to the LORD, And their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.” | "Lord of all the earth" in a context of triumph and sovereignty. |
| Gen 12:7 | “The LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’...” | Promise of the land, fulfilled here through divine intervention. |
| Gen 15:18 | “On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I have given this land...” | God's covenant promise for the land. |
| Deut 1:8 | “See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land...” | Divine command to possess the promised land. |
| Ps 77:16-19 | “The waters saw You, O God... the deeps also trembled... Your way was through the sea, Your paths through the mighty waters...” | God's powerful intervention in waters as a display of sovereignty. |
| Rom 8:31 | “If God is for us, who can be against us?” | Reassurance that divine backing ensures overcoming obstacles. |
| Phil 4:13 | “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” | The principle of overcoming obstacles through divine enablement. |
| Col 2:14 | “having canceled out the certificate of debt... and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” | A spiritual crossing from bondage to freedom, a New Testament echo of exodus. |
| Heb 3:7-4:11 | “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God... Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest...” | Spiritual typology of Israel's entry into Canaan as entering God's rest through faith. |
| Jn 14:16-17 | “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth...” | New Testament concept of God's abiding presence (Holy Spirit). |
| Mt 28:20 | “...I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” | Jesus' promise of His perpetual presence. |
Joshua 3 verses
Joshua 3 11 Meaning
This verse serves as a crucial declaration by God, through Joshua, announcing an imminent, unprecedented act of divine power. It signifies that the Ark of the Covenant, representing the holy presence and authority of Yahweh, the sovereign God of all creation, will pass into the flooded Jordan River. This statement foreshadows the miraculous division of the waters, enabling Israel's entry into the Promised Land. It underlines God's direct, active leadership and overwhelming power over nature to fulfill His covenant promises to Israel.
Joshua 3 11 Context
Joshua 3 opens with Israel poised to enter the Promised Land, having been at Shittim for three days. The Jordan River, which serves as a natural barrier, is at its flood stage during the spring harvest (Josh 3:15), making it impassable by ordinary means. The previous two chapters describe the sending of spies to Jericho and Rahab's confession, setting the stage for divine intervention. This specific verse (Josh 3:11) is part of God's direct instruction to Joshua, revealing the immediate divine strategy for crossing. It is intended to confirm Joshua's leadership to all Israel and to instill awe and faith in God's power as they are about to conquer the land.
Joshua 3 11 Word analysis
- Behold (הִנֵּה, hinnēh): An emphatic interjection. It draws immediate attention to the upcoming statement, indicating something extremely significant, important, or astonishing is about to happen. It demands that the listener give full attention, akin to "Look!" or "Indeed!".
- the ark (אֲרוֹן, ărōn): Refers specifically to the Ark of the Covenant, Israel's most sacred object. It was a tangible symbol of God's throne, His presence among His people (Shekinah), and contained the tablets of the Law (Exod 25:16; Deut 10:5). It represents God's active involvement and authority in the life of Israel.
- of the covenant (הַבְּרִית, habbərît): Designates the Ark not just as a chest, but as the symbol and repository of God's covenant with Israel. This covenant established Israel as God's chosen people, governed by His laws and under His divine protection and promises (Gen 12; Exod 19-24). It signifies the unbreakable bond between God and His people, upon which their right to the land rested.
- of the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): The tetragrammaton, God's personal, covenant name revealed to Moses (Exod 3:14-15). It speaks of His eternal, self-existent nature, and His faithfulness to His promises. The use of YHWH emphasizes that the ensuing miracle is by the will and power of the one true God, not a natural occurrence or the power of any pagan deity.
- of all the earth (כֹּל־הָאָרֶץ, kol-hāʾāreṣ): This epithet, "Lord of all the earth," is profoundly significant here. It distinguishes YHWH from all local or national deities. While other nations worshipped gods tied to specific regions or natural elements, YHWH is declared as having universal sovereignty. This highlights His absolute control over all creation, including the Jordan River at flood stage. It is a direct polemic against Canaanite beliefs in gods of nature (e.g., Baal, who was associated with storms and water), asserting YHWH's unparalleled dominion and capacity to manipulate the very elements they deemed divine.
- is passing over (עֹבֵר, ʿōbēr): A present participle in Hebrew, indicating an action that is imminent and certain to occur. It implies a dynamic and directed movement, conveying that the Ark is not just moving, but actively initiating the crossing, under divine propulsion.
- before you (לִפְנֵיכֶם, lip̄nêḵem): Indicates that the Ark will lead the procession, moving ahead of the Israelites. This emphasizes God's direct guidance and pioneering role in clearing the path for His people. It is also a public display, for all the tribes to witness God's powerful presence at the forefront of their entry.
- into the Jordan (בַּיַּרְדֵּן, bayyarden): The specific geographical target and obstacle. The Jordan River at this time was a formidable natural barrier, being at its highest flood stage. This detail underscores the impossibility of a natural crossing and highlights the magnitude of the coming miracle. It demonstrates God's power over the natural world, breaking down what seems insurmountable.
- "the ark of the covenant of the Lord": This phrase combines symbols of God's presence (Ark), His relationship with Israel (Covenant), and His essential being (Lord). It proclaims that God Himself, through His chosen vessel, is about to act decisively on behalf of His covenant people.
- "Lord of all the earth": This key theological statement expands God's dominion beyond Israel to universal sovereignty. It explicitly presents YHWH as the supreme ruler, who is not confined by geographical boundaries or limited in power by any other entity, setting the stage for His control over the flooded Jordan and His authority over the land and its pagan inhabitants.
Joshua 3 11 Bonus section
The passage echoes the first Exodus from Egypt, presenting the Jordan crossing as a "new exodus" and a theological bookend to their journey to the Promised Land. Just as the Red Sea parted for freedom from bondage, the Jordan parts for entry into the inheritance. The act of the priests carrying the Ark physically stepping into the flowing Jordan before it parted demonstrates the importance of faith-filled obedience to divine command, where human action (stepping) precedes the visible manifestation of God's power (parting). This event was crucial for Israel to grasp the truth of God's promises, to build faith in Joshua as God's appointed leader, and to understand that their entry and victory in Canaan would come solely through divine strength, not their own.
Joshua 3 11 Commentary
Joshua 3:11 is a profound declaration, laying the theological groundwork for the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. It unequivocally states that the upcoming miracle is not merely a fortuitous event or an act of nature, but a direct intervention by God. By emphasizing the Ark of the Covenant, God reaffirms His active presence and covenant faithfulness with Israel, reminiscent of the Red Sea crossing, yet also unique in confirming Joshua's leadership to all the people. The critical title, "Lord of all the earth," goes beyond asserting God's nationalistic allegiance to Israel; it declares His absolute, universal dominion. This title is a powerful polemic against the regional deities of Canaan, asserting YHWH's singular authority over all creation, including the forces of nature that would typically impede human passage. The impending crossing serves as both a sign of God's power and an affirmation that the land truly belongs to Him, and He is giving it to His chosen people. The Ark leading the way signifies God Himself clearing the path, emphasizing trust and obedience to His divine leading for His people to possess the promises.