Joshua 3:6 kjv

And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

Joshua 3:6 nkjv

Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

Joshua 3:6 niv

Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they took it up and went ahead of them.

Joshua 3:6 esv

And Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

Joshua 3:6 nlt

In the morning Joshua said to the priests, "Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river." And so they started out and went ahead of the people.

Joshua 3 verses

Joshua 3 6 Meaning

Joshua 3:6 describes Joshua's direct command to the Levitical priests to bear the sacred Ark of the Covenant, representing the very presence and covenant fidelity of God, and to lead the people by stepping into the Jordan River ahead of the Israelite multitude. The latter part of the verse confirms the immediate and faithful obedience of the priests, highlighting the centrality of God's manifest presence and divine guidance in Israel's miraculous crossing into the Promised Land.

Joshua 3 6 Context

Joshua chapter 3 marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel: their long-awaited entry into the Promised Land, forty years after leaving Egypt. Following the death of Moses, Joshua assumes leadership, directly commissioned by God. Chapters 1-2 establish God's reaffirmation of His covenant promises and Joshua's leadership, followed by the reconnaissance mission to Jericho.

Immediately preceding verse 6, Joshua 3:1-5 details the Israelites' encampment by the Jordan for three days, their being told to purify themselves, and the command that the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, would precede them. This setup emphasizes that the crossing would not be a military strategy but a miraculous divine act. The Jordan River, usually swollen during harvest season, presented a significant natural barrier. Therefore, the command in verse 6 and its immediate execution are crucial; they are acts of profound faith and obedience, underscoring that the LORD, present with His people via the Ark, would overcome the obstacle for them, establishing Joshua's authority and solidifying their trust in God as they began the conquest of Canaan. The historical and cultural context underscores that this was a moment of national identity formation and a dramatic fulfillment of Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants.

Joshua 3 6 Word analysis

• And Joshua spoke (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, vayomer Yehoshua):

  • וַיֹּאמֶר (vayomer): "And he said/spoke." The waw-consecutive prefix turns the imperfect verb into a past narrative tense, indicating a direct action in sequence. It emphasizes Joshua's authority as God's chosen leader (Josh 1:1-9).
  • יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua): Hebrew for "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This name itself carries prophetic weight, echoing the very nature of the deliverance about to occur. Joshua is presented as God's instrument for salvation, much like his New Testament counterpart, Yeshua (Jesus).

• to the priests (אֶל-הַכֹּהֲנִים, 'el hakkohenim):

  • אֶל ('el): "To." Indicates direction.
  • הַכֹּהֲנִים (hakkohenim): "The priests." Specifically, these are likely the Kohathites, a branch of the Levites, who were uniquely commissioned to carry the sacred articles of the Tabernacle (Num 4:15), including the Ark. This highlights their designated role as intermediaries between God and the people, handling holy objects, and representing the divine presence. The act of carrying the Ark was a sacred duty, demanding purity and adherence to God's regulations (Lev 10:3, 1 Sam 6:19).

• saying (לֵאמֹר, le'mor): Introduces direct speech, indicating Joshua is relaying a precise divine command.

• Take up (שְׂאוּ, se'u):

  • שְׂאוּ (se'u): An imperative verb, meaning "lift up" or "carry." It's a strong, direct command, indicating an immediate and non-negotiable action. The burden of carrying the sacred Ark was significant, physically and spiritually.

• the ark of the covenant (אֲרוֹן הַבְּרִית, aron habberith):

  • אֲרוֹן (aron): "Ark" or "chest." This wooden chest overlaid with gold (Ex 25:10ff) was the most sacred object in Israel. It contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, serving as tangible reminders of God's law, provision, and authority.
  • הַבְּרִית (habberith): "The covenant." This defines the Ark's essence—it embodied the covenant relationship between God and Israel (Ex 34:28). It symbolized God's faithfulness to His promises (Abrahamic covenant) and His active presence among His people, often associated with His throne (Ex 25:22). Its presence ensured God's active involvement.

• and pass over (וְעִבְרוּ, ve'ivru):

  • וְעִבְרוּ (ve'ivru): "And cross over/pass through." An imperative, directing the physical act of moving into the Jordan. This is not a casual walk but a bold, trust-filled step into the impossible, directly demonstrating faith.

• before the people (לִפְנֵי הָעָם, lifnei ha'am):

  • לִפְנֵי (lifnei): "Before" or "in front of." This signifies leadership, precedence, and guidance. The Ark (God's presence) is leading, charting the path and removing obstacles. It also acts as a visible sign to the people of God's active leading and their need to follow His explicit instructions.
  • הָעָם (ha'am): "The people." The entire Israelite congregation.

• And they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people (וַיִּשְׂאוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים אֶת־אֲרוֹן הַבְּרִית וַיֵּלְכוּ לִפְנֵי הָעָם):

  • This is the second half of the verse, describing the priests' immediate and obedient response to Joshua's command. The immediate fulfillment ("and they took up... and they went") underscores their faithfulness and sets the stage for the miracle, indicating a readiness to trust and obey without delay. Their action directly facilitates God's wonder.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And Joshua spoke to the priests... Take up the ark of the covenant...": This sequence illustrates God's chosen channel of communication and authority. God speaks to Joshua, Joshua delegates to the priests who have special access and responsibility for holy objects, indicating the sacredness of the undertaking.
  • "the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people": This phrase combines God's symbolic presence with a direct, challenging command. The Ark is not just an object but represents the Lord, demonstrating that it is God Himself who leads His people through obstacles and makes a way. The requirement to pass over before everyone else highlights God's initiative and prior provision.
  • "And they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people": This concise concluding phrase is crucial. It affirms the priests' immediate and faithful obedience to the difficult and unprecedented command. It's the execution of God's will, the critical step of faith that precipitates the miracle, emphasizing trust in the divine leader (Joshua) and the divine presence (Ark).

Joshua 3 6 Bonus section

The emphasis on the "Ark of the Covenant" preceding the people creates a powerful typology. Just as the Ark symbolized God's presence leading Israel into the Promised Land, Christians believe Jesus Christ, "God with us" (Matt 1:23), is the One who goes before us (Heb 6:20) into the heavenly rest and inheritance, having opened the way through His sacrificial work (Heb 10:19-20). The Jordan crossing can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the New Testament concept of baptism, where believers symbolically "pass through the waters" into a new life and relationship with God (1 Pet 3:20-21). This act solidified Israel's identity as a people whose God parts impossible obstacles, serving as an indelible testimony to His power. The Jordan River, being at flood stage, made the miracle even more pronounced, ruling out any natural explanation for the stopping of the waters (Josh 3:15). This scene powerfully validates Joshua's leadership, placing him firmly in the prophetic tradition of Moses as God's instrument for mighty acts.

Joshua 3 6 Commentary

Joshua 3:6 is foundational to understanding Israel's entry into Canaan, shifting the narrative from preparation to active obedience. It is not merely a logistical instruction but a profound theological statement. The command to the priests to carry the Ark signifies that the crossing of the Jordan would be an act orchestrated and guaranteed by God's manifest presence, rather than through military strategy or human might. The Ark, representing God's covenant faithfulness and His very throne (the mercy seat), preceding the people underscores the principle that God always goes before His people, paving the way, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring the fulfillment of His promises.

The specific choice of priests for this task, rather than soldiers, emphasizes the spiritual nature of this conquest. It demands purity, reverence, and a deep understanding of their sacred role as mediators and carriers of God's holiness. Their immediate obedience ("And they took up... and went") demonstrates profound faith and trust in Joshua's divinely given command. This act of stepping into the seemingly impassable waters by faith, led by the Ark, foreshadows the power of God over all creation and reinforces Joshua's leadership, establishing him as a successor to Moses. This event visually preaches to Israel that their success is rooted in divine presence and obedient reliance on God alone.

• Practical Examples:
  • Stepping out in Faith: When facing daunting "rivers" (challenges) in life, we are called to trust that God's presence (akin to the Ark) goes before us, even when the path is not yet clear.
  • Spiritual Leadership: Like the priests, spiritual leaders are entrusted with stewarding God's presence and Word, called to lead by example, faithfully pointing people towards God's active guidance.
  • Obedience over Strategy: Sometimes, God calls us to seemingly illogical acts of obedience, reminding us that His power transcends our natural understanding and planning.