Joshua 3:12 kjv

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

Joshua 3:12 nkjv

Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe.

Joshua 3:12 niv

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

Joshua 3:12 esv

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

Joshua 3:12 nlt

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

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 12 Meaning

Joshua 3:12 conveys a divine directive given through Joshua to the leaders of Israel: select one representative man from each of the twelve tribes. This instruction, given just before the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, is foundational for the subsequent act of taking memorial stones from the riverbed once the waters part. It underscores the communal nature of God's acts and ensures every tribe participates and bears witness to His power.

Joshua 3 12 Context

Joshua chapter 3 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, directly preceding their entrance into the Promised Land. The people had been encamped by the Jordan River for three days. Joshua has just given instructions for them to sanctify themselves (v. 5) in anticipation of God's wonders. The priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant are commanded to lead the way into the Jordan, signaling God's presence and power. The command in verse 12 for each tribe to select a representative man is not an immediate action, but a preparatory one, setting the stage for the specific instruction in Joshua 4:2-3 to take stones from the dry riverbed. This sequence emphasizes that the crossing of the Jordan, much like the parting of the Red Sea, is a communal event led by God and to be commemorated by the entire nation through its representatives, establishing a fresh witness to God's faithfulness for a new generation. Historically, this event directly follows the forty years of wandering, distinguishing this new generation by a visible demonstration of God fulfilling His covenant promises to bring them into the land.

Joshua 3 12 Word analysis

• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה, wə·'at·tāh): A transitional phrase indicating a logical consequence or the initiation of an immediate, necessary action based on what has just been stated or is about to occur. It links Joshua's preceding instructions about preparing for God's wonders to this specific command.
• take you (לְקְחוּ־לָכֶם, lə·qa·ḥū-lā·ḵem): An imperative verb, "take" or "select," emphasizing a direct command from Joshua to the people (plural, reflexive for emphasis "take for yourselves"). The act is to be initiated by the people as an obedient response.
• twelve (שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר, shə·nêm-‘ā·śār): The number "twelve" is highly significant in the biblical narrative, symbolizing completion, governmental order, and the totality of God's covenant people (Israel). It refers directly to the twelve tribes of Jacob's sons.
• men (אִישׁ, ’îš): Referring to adult males, chosen for their capability and representation.
• out of (מִן, min): From among; indicating selection from a larger group.
• the tribes (הַשְּׁבָטִים, haš·šə·vā·ṭîm): Refers to the twelve familial and political divisions of Israel. The definite article "the" points to the known, established twelve tribes. The Hebrew word shevet can also mean "rod" or "scepter," symbolizing authority and distinct lineage.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, yiś·rā·’êl): The national designation for the covenant people descended from Jacob.
• for every tribe a man (לִשְׁבֶט־שֵׁבֶט, lǐš·beṭ-šê·beṭ, literally "tribe-tribe"): This phrasing is an intensified form, emphasizing that each and every tribe must provide one man. It stresses universality and equal representation across all tribal units, ensuring no part of the nation is excluded from this significant event and its future memorial. This selection ensures unity in witness.

Words-group analysis:

• "Now therefore take you twelve men": This instruction immediately follows the declaration that the Ark will lead the way into the Jordan. It highlights that the selection of these men is directly tied to the miraculous event God is about to perform, indicating a prepared response from the people.
• "out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man": This specifies the method of selection, emphasizing comprehensive representation and corporate participation. It reaffirms the distinct identity of each tribe while uniting them in a common act of worship and memorial. It also underlines the organized and orderly nature of God's interaction with His people, delegating responsibility.

Joshua 3 12 Bonus section

The significance of the "twelve men" transcends the immediate context of building a memorial. It prefigures how God consistently chooses a foundational "twelve" throughout salvation history – be it the twelve patriarchs (sons of Jacob), the twelve princes in the wilderness, the twelve spies, or ultimately the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. This number symbolizes a complete representation, God's chosen channels for establishing His kingdom and purposes. This divine pattern underlines the unity and distinctiveness of God's chosen people in different eras, each group bearing witness to His redemptive plan and transmitting His truth. The selection in Joshua 3:12 thus not only sets up a physical memorial but also establishes a spiritual precedent for witness and transmission of faith.

Joshua 3 12 Commentary

Joshua 3:12 is a precise command establishing the framework for the Jordan crossing's future memorial. It reveals several crucial aspects of God's work with Israel: His expectation of ordered obedience, the principle of communal witness, and the importance of preserving historical divine acts. By commanding the selection of one man from each of the twelve tribes, God ensures that the miraculous parting of the Jordan is not just an individual experience but a foundational event for the entire nation. These chosen men would not only witness the miracle directly but would also be the instruments for building the memorial (as seen in chapter 4), carrying the memory and significance of the event into future generations. This organizational detail showcases God's wisdom in establishing patterns for leadership, accountability, and the teaching of His mighty deeds. The emphasis on "every tribe a man" reinforces the unity of God's people in experiencing and commemorating His covenant faithfulness.