Joshua 3:17 kjv

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Joshua 3:17 nkjv

Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.

Joshua 3:17 niv

The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Joshua 3:17 esv

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Joshua 3:17 nlt

Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the LORD's Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 17 Meaning

Joshua chapter 3, verse 17 describes the culmination of Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. It states that the priests, who carried the sacred Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, stood firmly on the riverbed, which had become dry ground. This pivotal event allowed the entire nation of Israel to pass safely over to the other side of the Jordan, completing their entry into the Promised Land. This passage demonstrates God's divine power, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His direct guidance and protection of His people, confirming Joshua's leadership.

Joshua 3 17 Context

Joshua chapter 3 recounts the dramatic events leading up to Israel's entry into the Promised Land, a significant turning point after forty years of wilderness wandering. The chapter begins with the preparation for crossing the Jordan, which at this time of year (harvest season) was overflowing its banks, making a natural crossing impossible. Joshua instructs the people to sanctify themselves, emphasizing the sacred nature of the impending divine act. The central instruction is for the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant and step into the Jordan first. The instant their feet touch the water, the miraculous intervention begins: the waters upstream pile up, and the waters downstream flow away, revealing dry ground. Verse 17 describes the steadfast position of the priests in the very center of the dried-up riverbed, serving as a symbolic anchor for the entire nation's safe passage. This act established Joshua's leadership, paralleled Moses' parting of the Red Sea, and confirmed God's faithfulness to His covenant promises as Israel took their first step into the land He swore to their forefathers.

Joshua 3 17 Word analysis

• But the priests (וְהַכֹּהֲנִים - ve'hakohanim): "The priests" refers specifically to the Levitical priests, the sons of Aaron. Their role was consecrated and mediating, handling sacred objects. Their positioning in the Jordan riverbed highlighted God's direct presence through the Ark and confirmed the divine nature of the event.
• who bore (נֹשְׂאֵי - nos'ei): Implies active carrying or lifting. The priests were directly involved, showcasing their dedication and faith, yet it was God who performed the miracle.
• the ark of the covenant (אֲרוֹן הַבְּרִית - aron ha'brit): The most holy object to Israel, representing God's throne, presence, and covenant faithfulness. Its presence signifies God Himself leading His people. Its carrying emphasized God's personal involvement in fulfilling His promises.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, unchanging, and powerful relationship with Israel. This highlights the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the orchestrator of this miracle.
• stood firmly (עָמְדוּ בָּחֳרֶב - amdu baḥorev): Amdu means "they stood," implying stability. Baḥorev (on dry ground) means to stand securely. It suggests an unmoving, steady presence, underscoring the completeness and reliability of God's provision. It reflects divine power over nature that created stable, dry passage.
• on dry ground (בָּחֳרֶב - baḥorev): The same Hebrew term used for the Red Sea crossing (Exod 14:21). This establishes a clear theological link between the two foundational events, emphasizing God's consistent nature and power in delivering His people and providing a path where there was none.
• in the midst of (בְּתוֹךְ - betokh): Meaning "in the middle" or "in the center." The priests stood exactly where the river had been, directly within the path God had made, ensuring the waters were held back across the entire width of the crossing.
• the Jordan (הַיַּרְדֵּן - hayyardēn): The major river marking the eastern boundary of the Promised Land. Crossing it symbolized leaving the wilderness behind and entering their inheritance. Its typical flood stage in spring made the miracle more pronounced.
• all Israel (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - kol-yisrael): Emphasizes the entire nation, not just a select few. This signifies the collective nature of God's deliverance and the unified entrance into the land. No one was left behind; God's provision was for all His people.
• were passing over (עֹבְרִים - ovrim): A participle implying continuous action. The process of crossing was sustained and secure. It implies an orderly, continuous movement of a great multitude.
• on dry ground (בֶּחָרָבָה - beḥaravah): Another instance of "dry ground," reaffirming the miraculous condition of the riverbed for everyone. The use of two different but related words (ḥorev and ḥaravah) for "dry ground" enhances the description of the thoroughness of the dryness.
• until all the nation (עַד תֹּם כָּל־הַגּוֹי - ad tom kol-haggoy): "Until the completion of the entire nation." This specifies the extent of the miracle; it endured precisely until every single Israelite had safely crossed. It underlines God's precise and enduring provision for all His people.
• finished passing over (הִשְׁלִימוּ לַעֲבֹר - hishlimu la'avor): The verb hishlimu means "finished" or "completed." This phrase emphasizes the orderly and complete fulfillment of the task, showing God's perfect timing and execution.
• the Jordan (הַיַּרְדֵּן - hayyardēn): Repeated for emphasis on the specific geographic location and the immense achievement of crossing this natural barrier.

Joshua 3 17 Bonus section

This crossing of the Jordan can be viewed as more than a historical event; it is rich in typological significance. The passage from the wilderness into the Promised Land through parted waters holds parallels to Christian baptism, symbolizing a death to the old life (wilderness wandering) and resurrection into a new life (entering God's promises and new covenant identity). The Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, leading the way through the waters, can be seen as foreshadowing Christ, our true Ark, who leads believers through the "waters" of salvation into their spiritual inheritance. Furthermore, the priests' steadfast stance on dry ground in the riverbed can symbolize faith's stability in the midst of spiritual turmoil, grounded in God's firm promises. The fact that the waters only returned once the priests lifted their feet (Josh 4:18) underscores God's sustained control and patience for every last person to pass, highlighting His meticulous care for His entire flock. This miracle established a lasting witness not only for Israel but also for the surrounding nations, inspiring fear and respect for the God who commanded even the floods.

Joshua 3 17 Commentary

Joshua 3:17 encapsulates the majestic climax of Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The verse spotlights God's power through the Ark of the Covenant, demonstrating His continued active leadership over His people as they stepped into their inheritance. The priests, standing steadfast on the divinely provided dry ground in the heart of the raging Jordan, serve as physical conduits and witnesses of God's enduring miracle. This specific action, where the sacred Ark halts the flow of a flood-swollen river, not only facilitates the physical crossing for the entire nation but also stands as a potent polemic against the regional deities often associated with natural phenomena. It powerfully declared YHWH's absolute sovereignty. This miracle reaffirmed Joshua's divinely appointed authority in the eyes of the people, echoing Moses's parting of the Red Sea and signifying a new beginning. The ordered passage of "all Israel" emphasizes a collective act of faith and deliverance, a unified step towards fulfilling God's ancient promises. The moment established a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and power for generations, a foundation for Israel's identity in the land.