Joshua 4 15

Joshua 4:15 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

Joshua 4:15 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,

Joshua 4:15 niv

Then the LORD said to Joshua,

Joshua 4:15 esv

And the LORD said to Joshua,

Joshua 4:15 nlt

The LORD had said to Joshua,

Joshua 4 verses

Joshua 4 15 Meaning

This verse signifies a direct divine communication from the covenant-keeping God, YHWH, to His chosen leader, Joshua. It marks a pivotal moment of transition within the miraculous crossing of the Jordan, as it introduces God's specific instruction to Joshua regarding the next immediate step for the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant, ensuring the complete and orderly fulfillment of His will. It underscores God's active involvement, consistent guidance, and the authentication of Joshua's leadership.

Joshua 4 15 Context

Joshua chapter 4 is the immediate sequel to the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. The previous chapter, Joshua 3, details the preparation and initial stages, with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepping into the Jordan, causing the waters to pile up and providing a dry path for the nation. Joshua 4 details the people crossing, the setting up of memorial stones both in the riverbed and at Gilgal, and crucially, the instructions for the priests to come out of the Jordan. Verse 15 marks a critical point where God gives Joshua the direct command for the final stage of the crossing: the priests' departure from the riverbed. This immediate divine instruction confirms God's constant oversight, validates Joshua's leadership, and completes the powerful demonstration of YHWH's authority over creation, reminiscent of the Red Sea crossing, to prepare Israel for the conquest of Canaan.

Joshua 4 15 Word analysis

• And: (`waw`, וַ). Connects this verse to the preceding narrative, indicating a continuation of divine activity and communication related to the Jordan crossing.
• the LORD: (`YHWH`, יְהוָה). The tetragrammaton, God's covenant name. It signifies His personal, unchanging, self-existent nature, and His faithfulness to His promises. The use of YHWH here emphasizes that it is the active, present, and powerful God of Israel who is directing the events and fulfilling His word. This contrasts sharply with the silent, inactive deities of pagan nations.
• spake: (`dāḇar`, דָבַר). This Hebrew verb often implies authoritative, deliberate, and performative speech. It's not a mere utterance but a communication with intent and power, carrying the weight of command and often bringing about what is spoken. It denotes direct divine revelation and instruction.
• unto Joshua: (`’el Yəhōšūaʿ`, אֶל-יְהוֹשֻׁעַ). Signifies a direct address to Joshua. "Joshua" (`Yəhōšūaʿ`) means "YHWH is salvation" or "YHWH saves." This direct communication from YHWH validates Joshua's leadership, placing him in the same lineage of direct divine recipients as Moses, cementing his authority in the eyes of Israel.
• saying: (`lē’mōr`, לֵאמֹר). An infinitive construct often used to introduce the direct words or content of a preceding verb of speaking. It cues the reader that God's direct command is about to be presented.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the LORD spake": This phrase highlights divine initiative and authority. God is not reactive but actively guiding and directing the events of the Exodus generation's entry into the Promised Land. This pattern of God speaking directly to His chosen leader is a hallmark of the Old Testament narrative, affirming His immanence and sovereignty. It underscores that all significant movements of Israel are by divine decree, not human ingenuity.
• "unto Joshua": Emphasizes Joshua's distinct and confirmed role as Moses' successor. God’s direct address solidifies his position as the authoritative mediator of God’s will to Israel, analogous to Moses. It signifies the transfer of divine favor and responsibility to him, a critical reassurance for a nation facing new challenges.
• "saying": Prepares the listener for the content of God's immediate and vital command, which will complete the extraordinary demonstration of divine power at the Jordan and transition the nation from the wilderness to their promised inheritance.

Joshua 4 15 Bonus section

The immediate and specific nature of God's communication in this verse highlights His attentiveness to the details of His redemptive plan for Israel. This moment mirrors other key transitions in biblical history where God's clear instruction marked a new phase of activity (e.g., Noah building the ark, Abraham departing Haran, Moses at the burning bush). The fact that the priests bearing the Ark, who symbolized God's presence, awaited God's direct command further emphasizes the necessity of divine authorization for every significant step of Israel's journey. This also serves as a polemic against the arbitrary actions of human-made religions, asserting that the God of Israel is a living, speaking God who guides His people step by step.

Joshua 4 15 Commentary

Joshua 4:15 succinctly presents the sovereign God of Israel issuing a direct command to His appointed leader, Joshua. Following the miraculous division of the Jordan River and the completion of the crossing by the entire nation, this verse initiates the next step orchestrated by YHWH. The use of God's covenant name, "the LORD," underscores His active involvement and faithfulness in leading His people into the Promised Land, reinforcing His promise to be with Joshua just as He was with Moses. God's specific instruction to Joshua, "spake unto Joshua," affirms Joshua's divinely sanctioned authority over the priests and the people. This precise and timely divine intervention ensures the orderly completion of the miracle, as the water's return upon the priests' departure further establishes YHWH's absolute control over creation. The command highlights the necessity of divine word for divine works; it is God's voice that moves both waters and men to accomplish His will.