Joshua 3:15 kjv

And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

Joshua 3:15 nkjv

and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest),

Joshua 3:15 niv

Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge,

Joshua 3:15 esv

and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),

Joshua 3:15 nlt

It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge,

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 15 Meaning

This verse details the crucial moment of the Jordan River crossing. It states that as the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant reached the Jordan, their feet merely touching the water's edge initiated the miraculous parting of the river. The verse highlights the challenging natural condition of the Jordan, specifically noting its overflowing banks during the spring harvest season, emphasizing the supernatural nature of God's intervention.

Joshua 3 15 Context

Joshua chapter 3 marks the Israelites' pivotal entry into the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. Having received specific instructions from God (Josh 3:7-8), Joshua prepares the people, instructing them to sanctify themselves and watch the Ark of the Covenant as it goes before them (Josh 3:2-5). This verse (Josh 3:15) sets the immediate scene for the miracle, detailing the precise timing and conditions that underscored God's power. Historically, the crossing occurred during the barley harvest, typically late March or early April. At this time, the Jordan River, fed by melting snows from Mount Hermon and seasonal rains, would swell to its fullest capacity, often overflowing its banks. This natural circumstance made any unassisted crossing impossible, ensuring that the ensuing miracle could only be attributed to the sovereign power of Yahweh. The act of the priests stepping into the formidable, overflowing river served as the trigger for God's divine intervention, solidifying Joshua's leadership and demonstrating God's covenant faithfulness. The narrative subtly poles against the contemporary beliefs of the Canaanites who worshipped deities associated with nature, showcasing Yahweh's absolute dominion over all creation, even rivers deemed sacred by others.

Joshua 3 15 Word analysis

• And as they that bare the ark:
  • they that bare: Refers specifically to the Levitical priests, particularly those of the family of Kohath, who were divinely appointed to carry the sacred Ark (Num 4:15).
  • the ark (Hebrew: aron - אָרוֹן): More precisely, the Ark of the Covenant (aron habrit), the holiest object in Israel, representing God's throne, presence, and covenant promises. Its movement signified God's active leading and accompanying His people.
• were come unto Jordan:
  • Jordan (Hebrew: Yarden - יַרְדֵּן): Means "the descender" or "the one that goes down." The river served as a natural barrier to the Promised Land.
  • This phrase emphasizes the point of contact and immediate obedience to the prior command for the priests to go first.
• and the feet of the priests:
  • feet (Hebrew: raglayim - רַגְלַיִם): Literal feet. This highlights direct physical contact, signifying a step of faith and obedience. The simple action triggers the supernatural event.
  • of the priests (Hebrew: hakohanim - הַכֹּהֲנִים): The chosen spiritual mediators. Their direct involvement underscores the sanctity and solemnity of the event and their representational role for all Israel.
• that bare the ark: Reiteration emphasizing their sacred duty and the significance of their office in this moment.
• were dipped (Hebrew: tavla - טָבְלָה): Implies a light, partial immersion, not full submersion. It means "to touch" or "to be submerged partially." This small act of faith from the priests, simply stepping into the water, was all that was required to initiate the divine miracle.
• in the brim of the water:
  • brim (Hebrew: qetseh - קְצֵה): Edge, extremity. This signifies the very edge or threshold of the overflowing river. It highlights the minimal requirement for human action combined with the immense scope of God's response.
  • This precisely indicates the location where God's power would be manifested.
• for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest:
  • overfloweth all his banks (Hebrew: male al kol-gedotayv - מָלֵא עַל־כָּל־גְּדוֹתָיו): Literally, "is full upon all its banks." This is a crucial detail. The Jordan at this season was not just flowing, but raging, reaching its maximum flood stage, making human crossing impossible without divine intervention. This underscores the magnitude of the miracle.
  • all the time of harvest (Hebrew: kol-yemey qatsir - כָּל־יְמֵי קָצִיר): Refers to the spring barley harvest (typically March/April). This is precisely when melting snows from Mount Hermon and spring rains swell the Jordan to its fullest. This specific timing rules out any natural explanation for crossing and emphatically establishes the supernatural power of God over natural elements. It reveals God's perfect timing and purposeful demonstration of His might.

Joshua 3 15 Bonus section

• Type and Antitype: The crossing of the Jordan River in Joshua is often viewed as a type of the Christian's spiritual passage. Just as the Israelites passed from wilderness wandering into the Promised Land, believers pass from a life separated from God into the "promised land" of new life in Christ. While not directly equivalent to water baptism, it parallels the concept of a definitive break from the past and an entry into a new covenant reality.
• Divine Initiative and Human Obedience: This verse underscores the divine initiative (God commands the crossing, knows the river's state) combined with the necessity of human obedience (priests stepping in). The miracle was not spontaneous but triggered by a specific act of faith, emphasizing that God often waits for our step of faith before manifesting His power.
• Confirmation of Authority: The Jordan crossing mirrored the Red Sea parting, powerfully validating Joshua's leadership in the eyes of all Israel (Josh 3:7) as Moses' successor. It established his prophetic authority by God's manifest presence and power, echoing Moses' experience.

Joshua 3 15 Commentary

Joshua 3:15 provides a concise, yet profound, explanation of the setting for one of Israel's most significant miracles. The verse emphasizes God's timing and power by detailing the natural conditions. The Jordan River, an impassable obstacle during its annual flood season—coinciding with the barley harvest—became the stage for divine intervention. This detail highlights that God commanded a step of faith not in favorable conditions, but when human effort was entirely inadequate. The priests, bearing the sacred Ark representing God's very presence, were commanded to be the first to enter this raging torrent. Their physical act of stepping into the overflowing waters, even just dipping their feet, was an act of complete obedience and faith, preceding any visible miracle. This signifies that God often requires our immediate, simple obedience, even in the face of daunting challenges, for Him to reveal His extraordinary power. The entire scene serves to magnify Yahweh, the Living God, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over nature, validating Joshua's leadership, and ensuring that Israel's entry into the Promised Land was unequivocally understood as a divine act, not a human accomplishment.