Joshua 4:23 kjv
For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
Joshua 4:23 nkjv
for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over,
Joshua 4:23 niv
For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.
Joshua 4:23 esv
For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
Joshua 4:23 nlt
For the LORD your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over.
Joshua 4 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 3:13, 16 | ...the waters of the Jordan... stood up... passed over. | Jordan dried up |
| Josh 5:1 | ...all the kings of the Amorites... when they heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan... their heart melted. | Nations witnessed God's power |
| Exod 14:21-22 | ...the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind... and the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground. | Red Sea miracle |
| Exod 15:1 | Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD... He has triumphed gloriously. | Song of triumph, Red Sea |
| Exod 15:8 | At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up... | God's power over waters |
| Exod 15:19 | For when Pharaoh's horses... went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them... | God defeated Pharaoh at Red Sea |
| Deut 4:34 | Has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation... as the LORD your God did for you... by mighty signs... | God's unique power for Israel |
| Psa 78:13 | He divided the sea and let them pass through it... | God's Red Sea miracle confirmed |
| Psa 106:9 | He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deeps. | God's Red Sea miracle for passage |
| Psa 114:3-5 | The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back... What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? | Creation responds to God's presence |
| Isa 43:16 | Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters. | God makes a way through water |
| Neh 9:11 | You divided the sea before them... | God's division of waters |
| Jer 32:21 | You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders. | God's power through signs |
| Gen 12:7 | To your offspring I will give this land. | Covenant promise of land |
| Exod 2:24 | God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham... | God remembers His covenant |
| Deut 7:8-9 | ...because the LORD loved you... the faithful God who keeps covenant. | God's covenant faithfulness |
| 1 Cor 10:1 | Our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. | Red Sea as spiritual prefigurement |
| Heb 11:29 | By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land. | Faith in Red Sea crossing |
| Heb 4:1 | Let us therefore strive to enter that rest... | Entering God's promised rest (parallel) |
| Acts 7:36 | He led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea... | God's wonders in history |
| Rev 15:3 | And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. | Future triumph linked to Red Sea |
| John 1:14 | ...and we have seen his glory... full of grace and truth. | God's glory revealed (e.g. through miracles) |
Joshua 4 verses
Joshua 4 23 Meaning
This verse succinctly explains the purpose of the memorial stones erected in Gilgal: to recall God's miraculous drying of the Jordan River. It draws a direct parallel between this recent miracle and the momentous crossing of the Red Sea, affirming God's unchanging power, faithfulness, and historical interventions for His people Israel. It underscores that both monumental acts of salvation were orchestrated by "the Lord your God" to facilitate Israel's deliverance and progression into the promised land.
Joshua 4 23 Context
Joshua chapter 4 is pivotal, detailing the memorial of 12 stones taken from the midst of the Jordan River. These stones were set up at Gilgal after the Israelites miraculously crossed the river on dry ground. Verse 23 forms part of Joshua's instruction to the people about the meaning of these stones. He explains that when future generations ask about them, they are to recount the Jordan miracle as directly comparable to the Red Sea crossing. This act established Joshua's leadership, authenticated God's presence with Israel, and confirmed God's commitment to fulfill His covenant promise of giving them the land. Historically, river crossings were major strategic and natural barriers, making God's intervention a profound demonstration of His divine sovereignty over nature and nations, directly countering any belief in localized nature deities.
Joshua 4 23 Word analysis
- For (kî - Hebrew): A conjunction used here to introduce the reason or explanation for the instruction in the preceding verses, specifically regarding the significance of the memorial stones.
- the LORD your God (Yahweh Eloheychem - Hebrew): This phrase emphasizes both God's covenant name, "Yahweh," highlighting His personal, relational faithfulness to Israel, and His powerful, sovereign nature, "Elohim," the Creator God. The possessive "your" (plural) signifies His unique relationship with the collective nation. Its repetition in this verse ("as the LORD your God did") underlines the consistent character and power of the one true God across generations and monumental acts.
- dried up (hobebîsh - Hebrew, Hiphil stem of yabesh): Denotes making something dry, specifically to the point of being barren or hard. The Hiphil stem indicates God as the direct cause, actively performing this miraculous drying, contrasting with the river's usual full state during harvest.
- the waters of the Jordan (mê haYarden - Hebrew): The specific, formidable obstacle the Israelites faced. The Jordan River was at flood stage during harvest (Josh 3:15), making the dry crossing an indisputable miracle.
- before you (mi-pəneyḵem - Hebrew): Literally "from your face" or "in your presence." This emphasizes that the miracle occurred visibly, directly in front of the entire assembly, leaving no doubt about its reality or divine source.
- until you had passed over (ʿad ʿabərakhem - Hebrew): This highlights the completion and purpose of the drying. The waters remained dry for the entire duration required for all of Israel, including priests and the Ark, to cross. This wasn't a partial or temporary phenomenon.
- as the LORD your God did (kaʾăsher ʿasah Yahweh Eloheychem - Hebrew): This powerful phrase explicitly establishes a direct, theological equivalence and continuity between the Jordan crossing and the Red Sea event. It's a statement of God's unchanging character and consistent methodology in saving His people.
- to the Red Sea (lāʾyām-sûp - Hebrew, often translated Sea of Reeds): Refers to the Sea where Israel crossed, marking their definitive liberation from Egypt. This event was the foundational salvation act in Israel's national memory, representing God's ultimate power over the greatest human empire and natural barriers.
- to Pharaoh king of Egypt (lāparʿōh meleḵ miṣrayim - Hebrew): Specifies the human adversary whom God defeated. This further highlights God's sovereignty, demonstrating His control not only over nature but also over mighty rulers and empires, humbling their pride and asserting His supreme authority.
Joshua 4 23 Bonus section
The pedagogical intent of Joshua 4:23 and the entire memorial stone narrative (Josh 4:20-24) is crucial. It’s not simply about recording history but ensuring that the experience of God’s deliverance is transferred effectively from one generation to the next. The crossing of the Red Sea marked the birth of Israel as a nation free from slavery, while the Jordan crossing marked their entrance into the promised inheritance. These two "water passages" are thus paired as monumental salvation acts. By linking them, the text reinforces that the God who established their national identity and freedom is the same God who fulfills His covenant by bringing them into rest. This narrative demonstrates God's persistent covenant loyalty, making a direct statement that God does not abandon His promises or His people across time.
Joshua 4 23 Commentary
Joshua 4:23 is a foundational declaration of God's unchanging nature and power, designed for pedagogical purposes across generations. By explicitly connecting the Jordan River miracle with the Red Sea deliverance, the verse establishes a theological continuity: the God who brought Israel out of bondage with overwhelming power is the same God who now brings them into the promised land with similar overwhelming power. This serves to remind Israel of their covenant God's consistent faithfulness to His promises, His absolute sovereignty over creation, and His ability to overcome any obstacle for His people's sake. It also acts as a powerful polemic against any notion that Israel's God was merely a regional deity or that His power was limited; instead, He is demonstrated to be the LORD of all, capable of defeating both natural forces and human empires. The purpose is not just to remember a historical event but to teach children and grandchildren that Yahweh is uniquely powerful and active in His people's lives, forming a basis for their ongoing trust and obedience.