Joshua 4 11

Joshua 4:11 kjv

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

Joshua 4:11 nkjv

Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.

Joshua 4:11 niv

and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the LORD and the priests came to the other side while the people watched.

Joshua 4:11 esv

And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people.

Joshua 4:11 nlt

And when everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of the LORD as the people watched.

Joshua 4 verses

Joshua 4 11 Meaning

Joshua 4:11 describes the completion of the Israelite nation's crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. After all the people had safely and entirely passed over, the Ark of the LORD, carried by the priests, also completed its passage, moving from the riverbed onto the dry ground on the west bank. This ordered departure, with the Ark and priests moving last, emphasized God's protective guidance and confirmation of His presence among His people only after their safety was assured.

Joshua 4 11 Context

Joshua chapter 4 is the climax of the Jordan River crossing narrative, detailing the Israelites' entrance into Canaan after forty years in the wilderness. Chapter 3 set the scene, with the Ark of the Covenant leading the people and the waters of the Jordan being miraculously cut off, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. Chapter 4 records the setting up of memorial stones (vv. 1-9) and the specific movements of the Ark and the priests. Verse 11 details the final movement: the Ark, which had stood stationary in the midst of the riverbed holding back the waters (Josh 3:17), now moves onto the west bank. This moment signifies the absolute completion of the passage, reinforcing God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He promised. It also validates Joshua's leadership, as God fulfills His promise to make him great in the sight of all Israel (Josh 3:7).

Joshua 4 11 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - va-y’hi): A common Hebrew narrative transitional phrase, simply meaning "and it happened" or "then it was." It indicates the unfolding of events in sequence, connecting this action to the previous ones.
• when all the people (כְּתֹם כָּל־הָעָם - k’tom kol-ha-ʿam):
  • כְּתֹם (k’tom): From the root תָּמַם (tamam), meaning "to be complete," "to be finished," "to be entire." It signifies a thorough and absolute completion, emphasizing that every single person had successfully and safely crossed the river. This indicates divine providence ensuring no one was left behind or perished.
  • כָּל־הָעָם (kol-ha-ʿam): "All the people." Highlights the totality of the Israelite nation's crossing. This entire nation, from the oldest to the youngest, successfully traversed the dried-up Jordan.
• were clean passed over (הֵצִיג - hetzih / avar context): The underlying concept here is that of fully completing the "passing over." The word hetzih itself means to cause to come to an end or to put through. When paired with kol-ha-am, it fully emphasizes the completed passage of the entire nation. It emphasizes not just the act of crossing, but the absolute conclusion of that crossing for everyone.
• that the ark of the LORD (וַאֲרוֹן יְהוָה - va-ʾăron Yahweh):
  • וַאֲרוֹן (va-ʾăron): "And the ark." The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest representing God's throne and presence among Israel (Exod 25:10-22). Its very movement indicated the divine leading and presence.
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and powerful nature. It is His ark, embodying His covenant and His power.
• passed over (עָבַר - ʿavar): Means "to pass over," "to cross." This repeated word from the phrase "were clean passed over" (implicit here) now explicitly states the Ark's own movement. It parallels the people's action, but with distinct timing.
• and the priests (וְהַכֹּהֲנִים - və-hakkohanim):
  • וְהַכֹּהֲנִים (və-hakkohanim): "And the priests." These are the Levite priests designated to carry the Ark. Their sacred role underscores the solemnity and divine sanction of the event. Their presence confirmed that this was a holy, God-ordained passage.
• in the presence of the people (לִפְנֵי הָעָם - lifnei ha-ʿam):
  • לִפְנֵי (lifnei): "In the face of," "before," "in the presence of." This highlights the public and observable nature of the Ark's passage.
  • הָעָם (ha-ʿam): "The people." It confirms that this culminating action was witnessed by all Israel, further validating Joshua's leadership and cementing the understanding of God's active involvement.

Words-group Analysis:

• "When all the people were clean passed over": This phrase underlines the prior absolute safety and full accomplishment of the human aspect of the crossing. It confirms that not a single Israelite was left stranded or lost in the river. This completeness showcases God's protective care for every individual of His covenant people, assuring them before His visible symbol departed.
• "That the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests": This sequence is crucial. In Joshua 3, the Ark went first into the Jordan, initiating the miracle. Here, in Joshua 4:11, it departs last, after everyone else. This strategic reversal of order powerfully conveys two distinct but complementary theological points: 1) The Ark, representing God's presence and power, held back the waters for the benefit and safety of His people. 2) God, represented by the Ark, does not abandon His people but remains with them until their safe passage is fully secured, confirming His faithful guardianship and commitment to bring them wholly into the land. The priests, as the divinely appointed carriers, were part of this final, significant act of withdrawal, demonstrating their faithful stewardship and reverence for the Ark.
• "In the presence of the people": This final clause emphasizes the public demonstration of God's power and faithfulness. It was a spectacle for the entire nation, not a private or hidden miracle. Such a public display would serve to instill faith, confirm Joshua's authority (Josh 3:7), and provide a powerful, unifying memory for future generations of the Israelite people, cementing their identity as those brought into the land by the powerful hand of YHWH. This was a clear message to all: YHWH, the God of Israel, is Lord over nature and fulfills His promises.

Joshua 4 11 Bonus section

The precise sequence described in Joshua 4:11—where the Ark and priests, who were the first to enter the Jordan (Josh 3:6), are the last to leave the riverbed—is highly symbolic. This "first in, last out" approach for the Ark and its carriers highlights the principle of divine sacrifice and commitment. God's presence (via the Ark) endured the critical moments of passage for the entire nation. It implies that God is willing to "remain" in the place of danger or transition until His people are utterly safe. This contrasts with many ancient Near Eastern deities, whose power was often perceived as erratic or self-serving; YHWH's power is deployed precisely for the good and secure deliverance of His covenant people. This final step seals the covenant people's entrance and prepares them to possess the land of rest (Heb 4:1).

Joshua 4 11 Commentary

Joshua 4:11 encapsulates the deliberate and comprehensive nature of God's fulfillment of His promises to Israel. The meticulously observed departure of the Ark and the priests, after the entire nation had safely crossed, highlights several key theological truths.

Firstly, it underscores God's paramount concern for His people's security. The Ark, representing God's active presence and the very means by which the Jordan's waters were held back (Josh 3:13, 17), only moved once every single person was on dry ground. This demonstrates divine guardianship; God is with His people not only to open the way but to ensure their complete passage to safety. It echoes His nature as a faithful Shepherd (Ps 23).

Secondly, the precise, orderly sequence emphasizes God's sovereign control over events and His divine order. This was not a chaotic escape but a meticulously orchestrated crossing. The public witness ("in the presence of the people") served as a visible testament to God's power and affirmed Joshua's leadership. It created an indelible collective memory of God's miraculous intervention, a foundation for Israel's faith and obedience in the challenging task of conquering Canaan. This completed passage sets the stage for a new phase of their journey, marking the decisive transition from wilderness wandering to dwelling in the Promised Land.