Joshua 3:4 kjv

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

Joshua 3:4 nkjv

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."

Joshua 3:4 niv

Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it."

Joshua 3:4 esv

Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."

Joshua 3:4 nlt

Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don't come any closer."

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 4 Meaning

This verse instructs the Israelites to maintain a precise distance of about two thousand cubits from the Ark of the Covenant as it leads them. The command to keep their distance is given so that all the people might clearly see the Ark and, by extension, God's guidance, thus knowing the specific way they were to go. This instruction was vital because they had never traversed this path before, emphasizing their utter reliance on divine leadership for their unprecedented journey into the Promised Land. It highlights God's initiative in directing His people and the necessity of their reverent obedience.

Joshua 3 4 Context

Joshua chapter 3 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey from the wilderness to the Promised Land. Following their years of wandering and the recent death of Moses, God commissions Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River, which is currently at flood stage (Josh 3:15). This crossing serves as a confirmation of Joshua's leadership and God's continued faithfulness. The specific instructions regarding the Ark of the Covenant, including its distance from the people and the role of the priests, highlight God's direct involvement in orchestrating this miraculous passage and underscore the Ark's immense significance as a symbol of His presence and authority. The preceding verses in chapter 3 detail the preparation and sanctification required before this sacred event, setting the stage for the dramatic display of divine power at the Jordan.

Joshua 3 4 Word analysis

• Yet: This conjunction signals a transition, introducing a specific instruction that refines or adds to the preceding general command of following the Ark.
• there shall be a space between you and it: This indicates a prescribed separation, emphasizing the sanctity of the Ark. The "it" refers specifically to the Ark of the Covenant (`ארון הברית`, Aron ha'B'rit), which embodies God's holy presence, His covenant with Israel, and His authority. The distance emphasizes the sacred awe and respect required in God's presence, highlighting the divine initiative in leading them, rather than human proximity.
• about two thousand cubits by measure: A `cubit` (`אמה`, 'ammah) was a measure derived from the length of a forearm, roughly 18-21 inches (approx. 45-53 cm). Two thousand cubits is therefore approximately 0.5-0.6 miles or 900-1000 meters. This specific, substantial distance served several purposes: it allowed the entire vast assembly of Israelites, spanning a wide area, to visually track the Ark as it moved; it enforced reverence and ensured no one inadvertently encroached upon the Ark's holiness, save the priests designated to carry it; and it visually communicated that the Ark alone, representing God, was the sole guide for their journey into the unknown.
• come not near unto it: A direct prohibitive command emphasizing separation. This isn't merely for visibility but underscores the profound holiness of the Ark and the reverence due to God's presence. It reinforces the theological concept that unholy beings cannot approach a holy God without specific divine permission or mediation.
• that ye may know the way by which ye must go: `Know` (`לדעת`, lada'at) implies not just intellectual comprehension but practical discernment and experience. `Way` (`דרך`, derekh) refers to the physical path. The purpose of the clear visibility was for the entire nation to have an unmistakable guide, showing them exactly where to proceed. In a miraculous crossing like the Jordan, it was crucial that all understood that the path was supernaturally opened by God, not by human ingenuity.
• for ye have not passed this way heretofore: `Heretofore` (`אתמול שלשום`, etmol shilshom, literally "yesterday, the day before yesterday," signifying "never before" or "previously unknown"). This phrase highlights the unprecedented nature of their situation. Human experience, prior knowledge, or reliance on customary routes would be useless. This journey required exclusive dependence on divine leadership. It implicitly counters human reliance on past methods or personal navigation, calling for fresh, specific, and visible guidance from God.

Joshua 3 4 Bonus section

The "two thousand cubits" distance commanded in Joshua 3:4 might also resonate with specific measurements related to the sacred spaces in Israel. For instance, the Mishnah and later rabbinic tradition define a "Sabbath day's journey" (Acts 1:12 refers to this concept) as approximately two thousand cubits from a person's dwelling. While this latter tradition is post-Mosaic, the numerical association points to a historically recognized 'acceptable distance' in relation to sacred precincts or community. In this instance, it facilitates universal observation of God's leading without compromising His sacred nature. Furthermore, the priests' specific role in carrying the Ark underscores that handling sacred objects and leading God's people in direct divine encounters is reserved for those specially consecrated, reinforcing the Levites' unique duties as caretakers of the tabernacle and its sacred contents. The journey led by the Ark itself is a testament to God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises, bringing His people into the land He swore to their ancestors, an act of sovereign power that required their absolute trust and visual obedience.

Joshua 3 4 Commentary

Joshua 3:4 provides crucial instruction for the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land, establishing a foundational principle of divine guidance and human reverence. The deliberate two-thousand-cubit separation between the people and the Ark of the Covenant served multiple critical functions: it ensured maximum visibility for the entire massive congregation, making the Ark's movement unmistakable to everyone; it powerfully communicated the profound holiness of God, who, through the Ark, was leading them; and it instilled a deep sense of awe and dependency. In a situation where they were literally charting new territory—"ye have not passed this way heretofore"—God alone was their certain guide. This divine order prepared the people mentally and spiritually for the extraordinary, fostering faith in His unprecedented acts of deliverance. The command "come not near unto it" underscores that access to God, even His symbolic presence, is on His terms, mediated and with holy reverence, reminding Israel of God's unique transcendence even amidst His immanent guidance.