Joshua 3:13 kjv

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the LORD of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

Joshua 3:13 nkjv

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap."

Joshua 3:13 niv

And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD?the Lord of all the earth?set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."

Joshua 3:13 esv

And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap."

Joshua 3:13 nlt

The priests will carry the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall."

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 13 Meaning

Joshua 3:13 declares the Lord's absolute power over nature as He prepares to enable Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It reveals that upon the feet of the priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant—representing God's presence—touching the Jordan's waters, the river will be supernaturally divided. The upstream waters will cease flowing and pile up in a heap, while the downstream waters will flow away, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. This act serves as a sign of God's direct involvement, the authentication of Joshua's leadership, and a clear demonstration of His universal sovereignty.

Joshua 3 13 Context

Joshua 3:13 occurs at a pivotal moment in Israel's history, immediately following their forty-year wilderness wanderings and preceding their entry into the Promised Land. The nation is encamped at the eastern bank of the Jordan River, near Jericho, at harvest time when the Jordan is typically at its highest flood stage, making crossing humanly impossible. This verse is part of God's instructions to Joshua, given publicly, to demonstrate His presence and confirm Joshua's divine appointment as leader, just as Moses had been confirmed. The command for the priests to bear the Ark of the Covenant, representing the very presence and covenant of Yahweh, underscores the sacred nature of the crossing. This event will serve as a sign, much like the Red Sea crossing, to both Israel and the inhabitants of Canaan, establishing Yahweh's unparalleled power and ensuring a bloodless initial crossing to strengthen faith and instill fear in their enemies.

Joshua 3 13 Word analysis

• And as soon as: Emphasizes the immediate, cause-and-effect nature of the miracle. Divine action is instantaneous.
• the soles of the feet (kappōṯ raḡlayim, כפות רגלים): Signifies full physical contact and intent to stand and possess. The very touch initiates the divine action. It links to concepts of possession and dominion (Gen 8:9, Deut 11:24).
• of the priests (kōhanim, כהנים): The designated holy bearers of God's presence, highlighting the sacredness and obedience required. Their unique role mediates God's power.
• who bear the ark of the LORD (nōśʾē ʾarôn YHWH, נושאי ארון יהוה): The Ark embodies God's presence, covenant, and power. It is not an idol, but the chosen symbol and vehicle through which God acts and reveals Himself. Its central role emphasizes God as the active agent.
• the Lord of all the earth (ʾăḏôn kol hāʾāreṣ, אדון כל הארץ): This specific divine title is significant here. "Lord" (Adon) implies sovereign master. "Of all the earth" is a powerful polemic against Canaanite polytheism and their local deities associated with natural phenomena or specific regions. It proclaims Yahweh's universal, unchallengeable authority over creation, including the raging Jordan River, thereby negating any supposed power of river gods or nature deities. This is the only place in the Pentateuch, Joshua, and Judges where this phrase explicitly appears, emphasizing its uniqueness here.
• rest (nûaḥ, נוח): Implies settling, stopping, establishing a firm footing. It's not a momentary splash but a decisive, intentional grounding.
• in the waters of the Jordan (bə-mê hay-yardên, במ י הירדן): The Jordan is the physical, natural barrier. Its flood stage (mentioned in Jos 3:15) magnifies the miracle and leaves no doubt of divine intervention.
• the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing (yikkārēṯûn - future tense passive, from kārat, "to cut off"; מי הירדן יכרתון ממעלה): Indicates a complete and decisive cessation. The action is divinely initiated, not human.
• and the waters that come down from above shall stand in one heap (wə-hammaim hay-yorədîm mil-maʿălâ yaʿămḏû nēḏ ʾeḥāḏ, והמים הירדון מלמעלה יעמדו נד אחד): Vivid imagery emphasizing the supernatural nature. "Stand" (ʿāmaḏ) denotes firmness. "In one heap" (nēḏ ʾeḥāḏ) describes the vertical stacking of water, recalling the Red Sea miracle, further establishing the parallel between Joshua and Moses as God's chosen leaders. The specific description "from above" clarifies the origin of the piled-up waters, not the residual waters.

Words-group Analysis:

• "as soon as the soles of the feet...rest in the waters...": This precise trigger demonstrates God's sovereignty and timing. It requires an act of faith and obedience (stepping into the impossible) by the priests.
• "priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth": This phrase ties together human obedience, divine presence, and God's ultimate universal authority. It underlines that the miracle is wrought by God through His chosen means and agents, not by the priests themselves or any inherent power of the Ark. The identity of who brings about the division is clarified as "the Lord of all the earth."
• "waters...shall be cut off...stand in one heap": These two phrases describe the dual effect of the miracle: cessation of flow from upstream and the miraculous accumulation, clearly indicating an unnatural phenomenon controlled solely by God.

Joshua 3 13 Bonus section

The miracle described in Joshua 3:13 actually occurred upstream from where the Israelites were gathered near Jericho. Archaeological and historical data, coupled with Joshua 3:16 (which explicitly mentions the waters "piling up" a great distance off, "at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan"), indicates that the landslide or blockage that caused the water to stand in a heap happened miles to the north, allowing a vast stretch of dry ground to appear for the crossing. This detail magnifies the miracle: it wasn't just a localized parting but a demonstration of God's precise and wide-reaching control over the river's entire course, directly affecting the entire region's natural flow for a significant duration until all of Israel had crossed. This further demonstrates Yahweh's universal power beyond the immediate point of contact.

Joshua 3 13 Commentary

Joshua 3:13 is a powerful testament to Yahweh's covenant faithfulness and supreme authority over creation. It sets the stage for Israel's entry into the Promised Land, presenting an immediate, dramatic sign to solidify Joshua's leadership and reconfirm God's unwavering presence. The specific roles—priests, Ark, Jordan River—are all part of God's orchestrated demonstration. The Jordan at flood stage would naturally be impassable; hence, the miraculous division leaves no doubt as to the divine origin of the event. The title "Lord of all the earth" is a deliberate challenge to local pagan deities, declaring that Yahweh's dominion extends universally, over all forces and territories. The "heap" of water emphasizes not just a parting, but an unnatural, vertical stacking, making the parallel to the Red Sea crossing undeniable and serving as a historical marker for God's powerful acts of deliverance. This act underscores that overcoming life's insurmountable "rivers" requires stepping forward in faith, trusting in God's power and provision, just as the priests did.