Joshua 3:16 kjv

That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Joshua 3:16 nkjv

that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

Joshua 3:16 niv

the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

Joshua 3:16 esv

the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.

Joshua 3:16 nlt

the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 16 Meaning

Joshua 3:16 describes the miraculous event where the flow of the Jordan River was stopped for the Israelites to cross. As the feet of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the river's edge, the waters flowing downstream from above stood still, piling up at a distant location identified as Adam, near Zarethan. Simultaneously, the waters flowing downstream towards the Dead Sea were completely cut off, creating a dry passage for the entire nation of Israel to cross the Jordan, directly opposite the city of Jericho. This powerful demonstration confirmed God's presence with His people and His empowering of Joshua's leadership.

Joshua 3 16 Context

Joshua chapter 3 recounts the detailed instructions and preparations for Israel's entry into the Promised Land, specifically the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. Having spent forty years wandering in the wilderness due to their fathers' disobedience, this generation stood on the precipice of their inheritance. The crossing of the Jordan marked the end of their wilderness journey and the beginning of the conquest of Canaan. It was also crucial for confirming Joshua's leadership, which had been previously established through the people's covenant renewal and recognition (Josh 1).

Historically, the Jordan River typically swelled its banks during the spring harvest season (around March/April) due to melting snow from Mount Hermon and heavy rains. The mention of it "overflows all its banks" emphasizes that the miracle occurred at the river's highest and most dangerous stage, magnifying the divine power demonstrated. This feat was intended not only to allow passage but also to inspire awe and fear in the Canaanites, confirming God's unwavering support for Israel, just as He had supported Moses during the Red Sea crossing. It was a clear polemic against the regional deities and a stark demonstration of Yahweh's supreme power over all creation and local natural phenomena, including the formidable Jordan River itself.

Joshua 3 16 Word analysis

• And the waters: The subject of the miracle; the powerful, flowing Jordan River.
• that came down: Describing the natural upstream flow of the river, from the north.
• from above: From upstream, emphasizing the source of the accumulated water.
• stood in a heap: Hebrew: נֵד (nēd). This word implies a solid, piled-up mass, like a wall or mound. It's used to describe the walls of water at the Red Sea (Exod 15:8). It conveys the impression of a miraculously solidified barrier, not just a gradual recession. This indicates divine intervention, suspending natural properties of water.
• very far off: Implies a considerable distance from the crossing point. This visual ensures a completely dry riverbed for a significant stretch. It also indicates the widespread effect of God's power.
• at Adam: This refers to a specific geographic location, likely Tel ed-Dam or Damiya, about 15-20 miles north of the crossing point. This precision adds a historical anchor and a verifiable point for the miracle. Adam means "mankind" or "red earth" but here is a proper noun for a city.
• the city that is beside Zarethan: Provides further geographical specificity to Adam. Zarethan (also possibly Zarthan or Zaretan) is often associated with the area where King Solomon cast the bronze vessels for the Temple (1 Kgs 7:46), indicating an important industrial and strategic location in the Jordan Valley. Pinpointing these locations demonstrates the verifiable nature of the event.
• and those coming down: Referring to the water downstream from the point of accumulation.
• toward the Sea of the Arabah: The "Sea of the Arabah" is another name for the Dead Sea (Deut 3:17, 4:49). This clarifies the direction of flow.
• the Salt Sea: The most common name for the Dead Sea, emphasizing its high salinity. This full stop of water flowing into the Dead Sea means the entire downstream stretch of the riverbed became dry.
• were completely cut off: Hebrew: כָּרַת (kārath). This verb denotes an absolute severance or cessation. It signifies that the water supply from upstream was utterly halted, and the downstream flow drained out completely, leaving an entirely dry riverbed. This is a powerful descriptor of the miraculous extent of the stopping.
• And the people crossed over: The immediate result and the purpose of the miracle – allowing the multitude of Israelites to traverse the river.
• opposite Jericho: The immediate destination of the crossing, the first city Israel was to conquer in the Promised Land. This specific location ties the miracle directly to their next mission.

Joshua 3 16 Bonus section

The geological stability of the region is noteworthy; instances of natural earth tremors causing landslides or blockages of the Jordan, leading to temporary dams, have been documented historically. However, the precise timing of this event, "as soon as the feet... entered the water," rules out any purely naturalistic explanation. The miraculous aspect lies not just in the effect but in the exact correlation between human obedience (the priests stepping into the river) and the immediate divine response. The piling up of the water is described with a Hebrew term (nēd) also used for the waters of the Red Sea (Exod 15:8; Ps 78:13), intentionally linking this event to the previous great act of salvation in Israel's history. This established a recurring pattern of divine intervention at major water bodies marking new phases of their journey with God.

Joshua 3 16 Commentary

Joshua 3:16 captures the dramatic climax of Israel's journey from wilderness to promised land. The verse powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign control over creation, making the seemingly impossible—crossing a Jordan River in full flood—a tangible reality through an astonishing act. The piling up of waters "at Adam" and the complete drying of the downstream section transformed the treacherous river into a pathway of divine provision and victory. This miracle served several critical purposes: it affirmed Joshua's leadership, mirroring Moses' parting of the Red Sea and assuring Israel that God was indeed with him. It strengthened the faith of the Israelites, reminding them of God's power and faithfulness to His covenant promises. Crucially, it terrified the inhabitants of Canaan, preparing the way for Israel's conquest by instilling dread in their hearts. The deliberate mention of the exact geographical locations (Adam, Zarethan, Sea of the Arabah, Jericho) adds historical credibility to the event, anchoring it firmly in the ancient world, indicating that God performs miracles not in vague terms but at specific times and places for His specific purposes. The passage also highlights the essential role of faith and obedience, as the waters only parted "as soon as the feet" of the priests, bearing the very presence of God in the Ark, "were dipped."