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Read the Bible

English Standard Version

Joshua 4:7

then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ark;   Instruction;   Pillar;   Stones;   Token;   Thompson Chain Reference - Memorials;   Remembrance-Forgetfulness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ark of the Covenant;   Jordan, the River;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Remember, Remembrance;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ark;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Jordan;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Memorial;   Sign;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - God;   Jericho;   Joshua;   Pillar;   Quarry;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Jordan ;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Stone;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Conquest of Canaan;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Catechist;   David;   Joshua (2);   Joshua, Book of;   Memorial;   Sabbath Day's Journey;   Sign;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ark of the covenant;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Ark of the Covenant;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for March 28;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.”
Hebrew Names Version
then you shall tell them, Because the waters of the Yarden were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Yarden, the waters of the Yarden were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Yisra'el forever.
King James Version
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord ; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Lexham English Bible
you will say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off from before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones will be as a memorial for the Israelites for eternity."
New Century Version
Tell them the water stopped flowing in the Jordan when the Ark of the Agreement with the Lord crossed the river. These rocks will always remind the Israelites of this."
New English Translation
tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites."
Amplified Bible
then you shall say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial for Israel forever."
New American Standard Bible
then you shall say to them, 'That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then ye may answere them, That the waters of Iorden were cut off before the Arke of the couenant of the Lord: for when it passed through Iorden, the waters of Iorden were cut off: therefore these stones are a memoriall vnto the children of Israel for euer.
Legacy Standard Bible
then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."
Complete Jewish Bible
you will answer them, ‘It's because the water in the Yarden was cut off before the ark for the covenant of Adonai ; when it crossed the Yarden, the water in the Yarden was cut off; and these stones are to be a reminder for the people of Isra'el forever.'"
Darby Translation
then ye shall say to them, That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; when it went through the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Easy-to-Read Version
You will tell them that the Lord stopped the water from flowing in the Jordan River. When the Holy Box of the Lord 's Agreement crossed the river, the water stopped flowing. These rocks will help the Israelites remember this forever."
George Lamsa Translation
Then you shall tell them, The waters of the Jordan were divided before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when we passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were divided; and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel for ever.
Good News Translation
you will tell them that the water of the Jordan stopped flowing when the Lord 's Covenant Box crossed the river. These stones will always remind the people of Israel of what happened here."
Literal Translation
You shall say to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, as it crossed over into the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones are for a memorial to the sons of Israelall the days.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
That ye maye then saye vnto them, how that the water of Iordane claue in sunder before the Arke of the LORDES couenaunt, whan it wente thorow Iordane, & that these stones are set for a perpetuall remembraunce vnto the children of Israel.
American Standard Version
then ye shall say unto them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Bible in Basic English
Then you will say to them, Because the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the Lord's agreement; when it went over Jordan the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones will be a sign for the children of Israel, keeping it in their memory for ever.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye maye aunswere them: howe that the waters of Iordane deuided at the presence of the arke of the couenaunt of the Lorde, (For when it went ouer Iordane, the waters of Iordane deuided) And these stones are become a memoriall vnto the chyldren of Israel for euer.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
then ye shall say unto them: Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off; and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.'
King James Version (1611)
Then yee shall answere them, That the waters of Iordan were cut off before the Arke of the Couenant of the Lord, when it passed ouer Iordan, the waters of Iordan were cut off: and these stones shall bee for a memoriall vnto the children of Israel for euer.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
then thou mayest explain to thy son, saying, The river Jordan was dried up from before the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth, when it passed it: and these stones shall be for a memorial for you for the children of Israel for ever.
English Revised Version
then ye shall say unto them, Because the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Berean Standard Bible
you are to tell them, 'The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, its waters were cut off.' Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
ye schulen answere to hem, The watris of Jordan failiden bifor the arke of boond of pees of the Lord, whanne the arke passide Jordan; therfor these stoonus ben set in to mynde of the sones of Israel, til in to withouten ende.
Young's Literal Translation
that ye have said to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off, at the presence of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; in its passing over into the Jordan were the waters of the Jordan cut off; and these stones have been for a memorial to the sons of Israel -- to the age.'
Update Bible Version
then you shall say to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel for ever.
World English Bible
then you shall tell them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.
New King James Version
Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."
New Living Translation
Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord 's Covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever."
New Life Bible
Then you will tell them that the water of the Jordan was cut off before the special box of the agreement of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan was cut off. So these stones will become something to remember to the people of Israel forever."
New Revised Standard
then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then shall ye say unto them - That the waters of the Jordan, were cut off, from before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, when it passed into the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan, were cut off. So shall these stones become a memorial unto the sons of Israel, unto times age-abiding.
Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall answer them: The waters of the Jordan ran off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over the same: therefore were these stones set for a monument of the children of Israel forever.
Revised Standard Version
Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial for ever."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."

Contextual Overview

1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 "Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.'" 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?' 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever." 8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. 9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the waters: Joshua 3:13-16

memorial: Joshua 4:6, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 28:12, Exodus 30:16, Numbers 16:40, Psalms 111:4, Isaiah 66:3, *marg. 1 Corinthians 11:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:26 - your children Exodus 17:14 - memorial Exodus 39:7 - a memorial Numbers 10:10 - a memorial Numbers 10:33 - the ark Numbers 31:54 - a memorial Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them Deuteronomy 6:20 - when thy son 1 Samuel 1:22 - for ever 1 Samuel 4:3 - the ark 1 Samuel 17:54 - took the head 1 Chronicles 15:29 - as the ark Esther 9:28 - the memorial Psalms 78:4 - showing Psalms 119:27 - so shall I talk Joel 1:3 - General Zechariah 6:14 - a memorial Ephesians 6:4 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 3:16
To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you."
Genesis 4:6
The Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?
Genesis 4:8
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:9
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?"
Genesis 4:10
And the Lord said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.
Genesis 4:11
And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
Genesis 4:12
When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth."
Genesis 4:13
Cain said to the Lord , "My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Genesis 19:21
He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken.
Numbers 32:23
But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord , and be sure your sin will find you out.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then ye shall answer them,.... By informing them of the design and use of them:

that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan; the waters below from those that were, above, which stood up on an heap; so that they were divided and separated from each other, and made dry land for a passage of the children of Israel; and this was done before, and in the presence of the ark of the covenant, to show that is was owing to the power of God, of whose presence the ark was a symbol:

the waters of Jordan were cut off; which is repeated for the confirmation of it, and that it might be taken notice of as a very marvellous event, and to be ascribed to the divine omnipotence and goodness:

and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever; which, whenever seen and observed by them, would put them in mind of this wonderful appearance of God for them; and Jerom h speaks of them as if seen by Paula in his time, whose life and travels in those parts are written by him.

h Epitaph. Paulae in tom. 1. Oper. fol. 59. K.


 
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