Joshua 4 6

Joshua 4:6 kjv

That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

Joshua 4:6 nkjv

that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'

Joshua 4:6 niv

to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?'

Joshua 4:6 esv

that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?'

Joshua 4:6 nlt

We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, 'What do these stones mean?'

Joshua 4 verses

Joshua 4 6 Meaning

Joshua 4:6 signifies that the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River and set up in Gilgal serve as a tangible memorial for God's miraculous crossing of the Jordan. It is specifically designed as a teaching aid for future generations, so that when children inquire about their meaning, parents can recount the mighty acts of God, reinforcing the covenant and God's faithfulness in bringing Israel into the Promised Land. The verse establishes a framework for intergenerational discipleship and the perpetuation of divine truth.

Joshua 4 6 Context

Joshua 4:6 is embedded within the narrative of the Israelites' miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Chapters 3 and 4 detail this pivotal event. In Joshua 3, the priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, step into the swollen Jordan, and the waters are miraculously cut off, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground, similar to the Red Sea event. Immediately after the crossing, God commands Joshua to instruct one man from each of the twelve tribes to pick up a stone from the dry riverbed where the priests' feet had stood. These twelve stones are then to be carried to their first campsite in Gilgal and set up as a permanent memorial. Verse 6 specifically explains the purpose of this monument: not just a static commemoration, but a dynamic teaching tool, intended to spark questions from future generations, thereby providing an occasion for parents to recount God's powerful deed and maintain the nation's spiritual heritage.

Joshua 4 6 Word analysis

• That this (לְמַ֣עַן זֹ֔את - lema'an zot): The phrase literally means "in order that this," clearly stating the purpose or reason for the stone monument. It indicates intentionality behind God's command.
• may be a sign (תִּֽהְיֶה לְא֜וֹת - tihyeh le'ot):
  • תִּֽהְיֶה (tihyeh): "may be" or "it will be."
  • לְא֜וֹת (le'ot): "as a sign" or "for a sign." The Hebrew word אוֹת (ot) is highly significant. It can mean a mark, a token, a signal, a wonder, or a miracle. It is often used for a divine sign (e.g., of the covenant in Gen 9:12, 17, circumcision in Gen 17:11). Here, it's not merely a physical marker but a tangible testimony to a divine act. It points beyond itself to God's intervention.
• among you (בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם - b'qirb'khem): Literally "in your midst" or "in your inward part." This emphasizes that the sign is positioned centrally within the community, making it constantly visible and accessible for instruction and memory.
• when your children (כִּי־יִשְׁאָל֤וּן בְּנֵיכֶם֙ - ki-yish'alun b'neikhem):
  • כִּי (ki): "when" or "for/because." Here, conditional "when."
  • יִשְׁאָל֤וּן (yish'alun): "they ask" or "they will ask." The verb שָׁאַל (sha'al) means to ask, inquire, or demand. It highlights the expected natural curiosity of the young and emphasizes that the stones' primary function is to provoke a question.
  • בְּנֵיכֶם֙ (b'neikhem): "your sons/children." Points to the crucial role of parental responsibility in answering these questions and passing on faith.
• in time to come (מָחָר֙ - machar): Literally "tomorrow." In biblical idiom, it signifies "hereafter," "in future time," or "the next generation." This underlines the perpetual, enduring nature of the sign's purpose, transcending the immediate generation.
• saying, 'What mean these stones to you?' (לֵאמֹ֔ר מָה֙ הָאֲבָנִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה לָכֶֽם - lemor mah ha'avanim ha'elleh lakhem): This is the precise question expected from the children, indicating the very specific pedagogical context for which the monument was created. It's an inquiry into the significance and purpose of the visible monument.
  • מָה֙ (mah): "what."
  • הָאֲבָנִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה (ha'avanim ha'elleh): "these stones."
  • לָכֶֽם (lakhem): "to you" or "for you." The personal connection of the parents/nation to the stones is implied, signifying it as their heritage.

Words-group analysis

• "That this may be a sign among you": Establishes the divine purpose of the monument. It's not arbitrary but deliberately commissioned to serve as a testimony and a visible reminder of God's power and faithfulness. This counters human forgetfulness and apathy, creating a perpetual call to remember the mighty works of the Lord. The "sign" (אוֹת, ot) implies something miraculous, bearing witness to God's direct intervention.
• "when your children ask in time to come": This phrase anticipates the intergenerational transmission of faith. The monument's design intentionally invites inquiry from the young (the machar generation). It reflects God's pattern of embedding historical events within communal life as catalysts for spiritual instruction (similar to the Passover narrative in Exodus). It shifts the responsibility from passive viewing to active teaching by the parents, prompted by the children's natural curiosity.
• "saying, 'What mean these stones to you?'": This precise phrasing outlines the specific question that validates the monument's purpose. It shows the stones are meant to spark curiosity about their meaning, not just their presence. This pedagogical model demonstrates the importance of storytelling in maintaining national and spiritual identity, ensuring that God's great deeds are never forgotten but live on through narrative and testimony.

Joshua 4 6 Bonus section

The concept of a "sign" (ot) here, deeply rooted in Old Testament thought, transcends a mere symbol. It is a material witness or confirmation of a divine action, linking the physical world with the spiritual reality of God's intervention. This idea of tangible reminders serves as a foundational pedagogical method throughout Scripture, designed to combat spiritual amnesia and reinforce covenant identity.

The explicit emphasis on "your children ask" (כִּי־יִשְׁאָל֤וּן בְּנֵיכֶם֙) mirrors a pattern seen earlier in Exodus regarding the Passover (Exod 12:26; 13:8, 14). This repetitive motif underscores the biblical importance of intergenerational instruction, not merely as an optional educational practice, but as a divinely mandated responsibility critical for the survival of faith and the perpetuation of the covenant community. The very structure of these narratives positions the next generation as active participants in learning their heritage, with their curiosity acting as the catalyst for the older generation's teaching.

Moreover, this memorial anticipates Israel's life in the land, moving from nomadic dependence on God's provision (manna, water from rock) to inhabiting a settled inheritance. The stones signify that even in a land of their own, their very presence there is continually dependent on and remembered by God's mighty acts. The act of establishing a fixed monument in Gilgal (their first campsite in Canaan) serves as a potent reminder that their future rest and security are founded on God's past faithfulness and ongoing presence. This sets a precedent that the people should never forget their divine benefactor amidst future prosperity or challenges.

Joshua 4 6 Commentary

Joshua 4:6 encapsulates a crucial aspect of Israel's spiritual life: the imperative of memory and the intergenerational transfer of faith. The twelve stones erected in Gilgal were not just a static monument; they were a dynamic teaching tool. God deliberately instituted this memorial, anticipating the natural curiosity of children. When the future generation would see these stones and ask, "What mean these stones to you?" it would provide an unparalleled opportunity for parents and elders to narrate the astonishing account of the Jordan River crossing—how God supernaturally halted the waters, allowing His people to enter the Promised Land on dry ground.

This act served multiple purposes: it constantly reminded Israel of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises (entry into the land), His mighty power (parting the Jordan), and His ongoing presence with them. The monument ensured that the wonder of God's act would be perpetually recounted, not only confirming their historical journey but also strengthening their present faith. It was a visible counterpoint to the ever-present temptation to forget God's past mercies or to explain away His miracles. It solidified their identity as God's chosen people, sustained by His miraculous intervention, emphasizing that their prosperity was not due to their own might but His. Ultimately, it underscores that God's past works serve as a foundation for future generations to believe and obey Him.

Examples:

• Family Devotion: A family returning from church where a biblical story was taught, and a child asks, "Why did Jesus heal that blind man?" The parent uses this opening to explain Jesus' power and compassion.
• Church Memorial: A plaque in a church commemorating a significant event (e.g., a past revival, a founding anniversary, missionary sending) prompting a new member to inquire, which then opens a door to share the church's spiritual history and God's faithfulness.
• Personal Testimony: Sharing personal experiences of God's intervention (e.g., healing, provision) with others, especially children, allowing your life to be a "sign" that points to God's work.