Joshua 3 Study Notes: Israel Crosses the Jordan
Israel moves from Shittim to the Jordan, where the people are told to follow the ark at a distance and to consecrate themselves for what God will do. God begins to honor Joshua as He had Moses, and when the priests step into the flooded river its waters stop, so the whole nation crosses on dry ground.
General
Why did Joshua tell the people to consecrate themselves (3:5)?
Answer: Because tomorrow the LORD would do wonders among them
Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves, meaning to set themselves apart and make themselves ready to meet the holy God, because the next day the LORD would do amazing things among them (3:5). The miracle at the Jordan would be God’s work, and the people were to prepare their hearts to see it. Joshua then told the priests to take up the ark and go out in front of the people, and they did so (3:6). At Mount Sinai God had likewise told Moses to consecrate the people before He came down where all of them could see (Exodus 19:10-11). A psalm praises God as the One who does wonders and makes His power known among the nations (Psalm 77:14).
- Joshua 3:5 (BSB)“Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.””Joshua calls the people to consecrate themselves because the LORD will do wonders the next day.
- Exodus 19:10-11 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”At Sinai the people were consecrated in preparation for the LORD’s coming down in their sight.
- Psalm 77:14 (BSB)“You are the God who works wonders; You display Your strength among the peoples.”The psalmist praises God as the One who works wonders and displays His strength.
Theological
What reason does Joshua give in 3:5 for the people’s consecration?
Answer: Because tomorrow the LORD would do wonders among them
Joshua commands the people to sanctify themselves, for on the next day the LORD will perform marvels in their midst (3:5). He then directs the priests to lift the ark and lead the way, and they go before the people (3:6). The crossing is framed as a divine act requiring holy preparation, as at Sinai, where the people were consecrated in readiness for the LORD’s descent in their sight (Exodus 19:10-11). Psalm 77:14 confesses Him as the God of marvelous deeds who makes His strength known among the peoples. The initiative lies wholly with God; Israel’s part is to prepare and to watch.
- Joshua 3:5 (BSB)“Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.””Joshua calls the people to consecrate themselves because the LORD will do wonders the next day.
- Exodus 19:10-11 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”At Sinai the people were consecrated in preparation for the LORD’s coming down in their sight.
- Psalm 77:14 (BSB)“You are the God who works wonders; You display Your strength among the peoples.”The psalmist praises God as the One who works wonders and displays His strength.
General
Why were the people told to follow the ark but keep about 2,000 cubits back from it (3:3-4)?
Answer: So they could see which way to go on a route they had never taken
After camping by the Jordan for three days, the officers told the people to watch for the ark of the covenant (the sacred chest that represented God’s presence) carried by priests from the tribe of Levi. When it moved, they were to move and follow it, but stay about 2,000 cubits (roughly half a mile) behind and not come near it. The reason given is practical and spiritual at once: so that they could see where to go, because they had never walked this route before (3:3-4). God Himself was leading them into unknown territory. In the wilderness the ark had gone ahead of Israel to find them a place to rest (Numbers 10:33), and before that the LORD had guided them by a column of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21). God had set apart the Levites for the task of carrying the ark (Deuteronomy 10:8).
- Joshua 3:3-4 (BSB)“and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.””The officers tell the people to follow the ark at a distance so they can see the way on an unfamiliar route.
- Numbers 10:33 (BSB)“So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them.”In the wilderness the ark went ahead of Israel to find them a resting place.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (BSB)“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.”God set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant.
- Exodus 13:21 (BSB)“And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.”Earlier the LORD went before Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire to guide their way.
Theological
What reason does 3:4 give for the people keeping a wide gap behind the ark?
Answer: So they could see which way to go on a route they had never taken
The officers instruct the people to set out when the ark, borne by the priests of Levi, moves, keeping about 2,000 cubits back and not approaching it, so that they may know the way, since they have not traveled it before (3:3-4). The gap keeps the guide in view of the whole nation. The ark had led Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 10:33), continuing the leading of the pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21), and its bearers were the Levites God had set apart (Deuteronomy 10:8). The LORD Himself leads His people into the land.
- Joshua 3:3-4 (BSB)“and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.””The officers tell the people to follow the ark at a distance so they can see the way on an unfamiliar route.
- Numbers 10:33 (BSB)“So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them.”In the wilderness the ark went ahead of Israel to find them a resting place.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (BSB)“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.”God set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant.
- Exodus 13:21 (BSB)“And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.”Earlier the LORD went before Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire to guide their way.
General
According to 3:7, why would God begin to exalt Joshua that day?
Answer: So that Israel would know God was with Joshua as with Moses
God told Joshua that on this day He would begin to honor him before all Israel, so that the people would know that God was with Joshua just as He had been with Moses (3:7). God also told Joshua to order the ark-bearing priests to stop and stand in the river as soon as they came to the water (3:8). The crossing of the Jordan would confirm Joshua as God’s chosen leader, just as the Red Sea crossing had confirmed Moses, when Israel revered the LORD and trusted Him and His servant Moses (Exodus 14:31). This fulfilled God’s promise in 1:5 to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. The next chapter records the result: God exalted Joshua, and Israel respected him all his life as they had respected Moses (4:14).
- Joshua 3:7 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.”God tells Joshua He will begin that day to exalt him so Israel will know God is with him.
- Joshua 4:14 (BSB)“On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.”The next chapter records that God exalted Joshua and Israel revered him as they had revered Moses.
- Exodus 14:31 (BSB)“When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.”After the Red Sea, Israel feared the LORD and believed in Him and in Moses.
- Joshua 1:5 (BSB)“No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”God had promised Joshua at the start to be with him as He had been with Moses.
Theological
What purpose does the LORD state in 3:7 for beginning to exalt Joshua?
Answer: So that Israel would know God was with Joshua as with Moses
The LORD announces that He will begin that day to magnify Joshua before all Israel, so that they may know He is with Joshua as He was with Moses (3:7), and directs Joshua to have the ark-bearing priests halt and stand in the river once they come to the water (3:8). The Jordan crossing authenticates Joshua’s leadership as the Red Sea did Moses’, after which Israel revered the LORD and trusted Him and His servant (Exodus 14:31). The word fulfills the promise of 1:5, and 4:14 records its accomplishment. The honor given to Joshua is God’s doing and serves to confirm His presence with His appointed servant.
- Joshua 3:7 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.”God tells Joshua He will begin that day to exalt him so Israel will know God is with him.
- Joshua 4:14 (BSB)“On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.”The next chapter records that God exalted Joshua and Israel revered him as they had revered Moses.
- Exodus 14:31 (BSB)“When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.”After the Red Sea, Israel feared the LORD and believed in Him and in Moses.
- Joshua 1:5 (BSB)“No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”God had promised Joshua at the start to be with him as He had been with Moses.
General
What condition was the Jordan River in when the priests stepped into it (3:15)?
Answer: It was overflowing its banks in harvest season
The text points out that the Jordan floods over its banks during the whole harvest season, and this was the time when the priests bearing the ark stepped into its edge (3:15). Israel did not cross at an easy, low-water moment. God stopped the river at its fullest. When the priests later climbed out of the riverbed, the water flowed back and overflowed its banks just as before (4:18), showing that the stopped water was God’s doing. Another passage also speaks of the Jordan in flood over its banks in the first month (1 Chronicles 12:15).
- Joshua 3:15 (BSB)“Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,”The text notes that the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest, just as the priests step in.
- Joshua 4:18 (BSB)“When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before.”When the priests came up, the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before.
- 1 Chronicles 12:15 (BSB)“These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west.”Another passage mentions men crossing the Jordan in the first month when it overflowed its banks.
Theological
What does 3:15 note about the Jordan at the time of the crossing?
Answer: It was overflowing its banks in harvest season
The narrator observes that the Jordan floods over its banks during the whole harvest, precisely when the priests’ feet dip into its edge (3:15). The detail heightens the miracle: the LORD halts the river in flood, not at its lowest. When the priests ascend, the waters resume their course and again overflow the banks (4:18), confirming that the stoppage was supernatural. 1 Chronicles 12:15 likewise mentions the Jordan overflowing its banks in the first month.
- Joshua 3:15 (BSB)“Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,”The text notes that the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest, just as the priests step in.
- Joshua 4:18 (BSB)“When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before.”When the priests came up, the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before.
- 1 Chronicles 12:15 (BSB)“These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west.”Another passage mentions men crossing the Jordan in the first month when it overflowed its banks.
General
What did the priests bearing the ark do while Israel crossed (3:16-17)?
Answer: They stood firm in the middle until all had crossed
The moment the priests’ feet touched the water, the river stopped flowing. It piled up far upstream at the town of Adam, and no water at all ran on down to the Dead Sea, letting the people cross near Jericho (3:16). The priests with the ark stood firmly on the dry riverbed at its center until the whole nation had passed over (3:17). The ark, the sign of God’s presence, stayed in the place of danger until every person was safe. Chapter 4 repeats that the priests remained in the middle until everything was done (4:10), and explains that God did this, just as at the Red Sea, so all peoples would know His mighty hand and Israel would always fear Him (4:22-24). A psalm celebrates God making dry ground of the sea for His people to walk across (Psalm 66:6).
- Joshua 3:16-17 (BSB)“the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.”The water stops far upstream, and the priests stand in the riverbed while the whole nation crosses.
- Joshua 4:10 (BSB)“Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until the people had completed everything the LORD had commanded Joshua to tell them, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried across,”The priests remained in the middle of the Jordan until everything the LORD commanded was done.
- Joshua 4:22-24 (BSB)“you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.””Israel is to tell its children that the LORD dried up the Jordan as He did the Red Sea, so all peoples may know His power.
- Psalm 66:6 (BSB)“He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.”The psalmist recalls God turning the sea into dry land so His people crossed the waters on foot.
Theological
What does 3:17 record about the priests bearing the ark during the crossing?
Answer: They stood firm in the middle until all had crossed
When the priests reach the water, the river is halted, heaping up far upstream at Adam, with no water left flowing toward the Salt Sea, and the people cross opposite Jericho (3:16). The ark-bearing priests stand firm on the dry riverbed at the center of the river while the entire nation crosses (3:17). The ark, the sign of God’s presence, holds the place of danger while the people pass. Chapter 4 confirms the priests remained until all was finished (4:10) and interprets the event as parallel to the Red Sea, done so that all peoples may know the LORD’s mighty hand and Israel may fear Him (4:22-24); Psalm 66:6 celebrates the same kind of deliverance.
- Joshua 3:16-17 (BSB)“the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.”The water stops far upstream, and the priests stand in the riverbed while the whole nation crosses.
- Joshua 4:10 (BSB)“Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until the people had completed everything the LORD had commanded Joshua to tell them, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried across,”The priests remained in the middle of the Jordan until everything the LORD commanded was done.
- Joshua 4:22-24 (BSB)“you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.””Israel is to tell its children that the LORD dried up the Jordan as He did the Red Sea, so all peoples may know His power.
- Psalm 66:6 (BSB)“He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.”The psalmist recalls God turning the sea into dry land so His people crossed the waters on foot.
General
What did Joshua say the ark going into the Jordan would show the people (3:10-11)?
Answer: That the living God was among them and would drive out the nations
Joshua told Israel that they would know by this sign that the living God was in their midst and would certainly drive out the seven nations of Canaan, including the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites. The sign was that the ark of the covenant, belonging to the Lord who rules the whole world, would go ahead of them into the river (3:10-11). Israel’s God is alive and at work for His people. God had long promised to drive out seven nations bigger and mightier than Israel (Deuteronomy 7:1), and Moses had told them not to fear, because the great and awesome God was among them (Deuteronomy 7:21). Jeremiah later calls the LORD the true and living God, whose anger the nations cannot withstand (Jeremiah 10:10).
- Joshua 3:10-11 (BSB)“He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go ahead of you into the Jordan.”Joshua says the ark going into the Jordan will show that the living God is among Israel and will drive out the nations.
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (BSB)“When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—”God had promised to drive out seven nations larger and stronger than Israel.
- Deuteronomy 7:21 (BSB)“Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”Moses told Israel not to fear these nations, because the great and awesome God was among them.
- Jeremiah 10:10 (BSB)“But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.”The LORD is the true and living God, whose wrath the nations cannot endure.
Theological
What does Joshua say the ark’s entry into the Jordan will demonstrate (3:10-11)?
Answer: That the living God was among them and would drive out the nations
Joshua declares that when the ark of the covenant, belonging to the Sovereign of the whole world, passes before them into the Jordan, Israel will have proof that the living God dwells in their midst and will without fail dispossess the seven nations of Canaan (3:10-11). This title for God, as Lord over the whole world, sets the LORD over every land and people, not as a local deity. The promise rests on Deuteronomy 7:1, where God pledged to drive out seven nations greater than Israel, and Deuteronomy 7:21, where His presence among them removes the reason for fear. Jeremiah 10:10 likewise confesses Him as the true and living God before whom the nations cannot stand.
- Joshua 3:10-11 (BSB)“He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go ahead of you into the Jordan.”Joshua says the ark going into the Jordan will show that the living God is among Israel and will drive out the nations.
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (BSB)“When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—”God had promised to drive out seven nations larger and stronger than Israel.
- Deuteronomy 7:21 (BSB)“Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”Moses told Israel not to fear these nations, because the great and awesome God was among them.
- Jeremiah 10:10 (BSB)“But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.”The LORD is the true and living God, whose wrath the nations cannot endure.
General
True or False: Joshua said the Jordan’s current would stop and pile up the moment the priests’ feet touched the river (3:13).
Answer: True
This is true. Joshua told the people to choose twelve men, one from each tribe (3:12). Then he foretold that when the priests bearing the ark that belongs to the Lord over the whole world stepped into the Jordan, the flowing water would be stopped and pile up (3:13). Joshua announced the miracle before it happened, so that everyone would know it came from God and not from chance. Chapter 4 shows why the twelve men were chosen: each would carry a stone from the riverbed as a memorial (4:2-3). Moses had sung of the same kind of wonder at the Red Sea, where the waters rose and stood like a barrier (Exodus 15:8).
- Joshua 3:13 (BSB)“When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.””Joshua foretells that when the priests’ feet touch the Jordan, its waters will be cut off and stand in a heap.
- Joshua 4:2-3 (BSB)““Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’””God later directs twelve men, one from each tribe, to take stones from the riverbed.
- Exodus 15:8 (BSB)“At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.”At the Red Sea the waters piled up and stood like a wall.
Theological
True or False: In 3:13 Joshua foretells that the Jordan’s current will be halted and rise up in one mass when the priests’ feet touch it.
Answer: True
This is true. After appointing twelve men, one per tribe (3:12), Joshua announces in advance that when the priests bearing the ark of the Sovereign of the whole world set foot in the Jordan, the descending current will be halted and rise up in one mass (3:13). The prediction ensures the event is read as God’s act. The purpose of the twelve men emerges in 4:2-3, where each carries a stone from the riverbed. The imagery recalls the Red Sea, where the water rose and held like a barrier (Exodus 15:8).
- Joshua 3:13 (BSB)“When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.””Joshua foretells that when the priests’ feet touch the Jordan, its waters will be cut off and stand in a heap.
- Joshua 4:2-3 (BSB)““Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’””God later directs twelve men, one from each tribe, to take stones from the riverbed.
- Exodus 15:8 (BSB)“At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.”At the Red Sea the waters piled up and stood like a wall.