Joshua 3:13

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֡ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּנ֣וֹחַ
H5117
shall rest
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
#3
כַּפּ֣וֹת
H3709
And it shall come to pass as soon as the soles
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#4
רַגְלֵ֣י
H7272
of the feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#5
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֡ים
H3548
of the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#6
נֹֽשְׂאֵי֩
H5375
that bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#7
אֲר֨וֹן
H727
the ark
a box
#8
יְהוָ֜ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
אֲד֤וֹן
H113
the Lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#10
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
H776
of all the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
הַמַּ֥יִם
H4325
from the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#13
הַיַּרְדֵּן֙
H3383
of Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#14
הַמַּ֥יִם
H4325
from the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#15
הַיַּרְדֵּן֙
H3383
of Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#16
יִכָּ֣רֵת֔וּן
H3772
shall be cut off
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#17
הַמַּ֥יִם
H4325
from the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#18
הַיֹּֽרְדִ֖ים
H3381
that come down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#19
מִלְמָ֑עְלָה
H4605
from above
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#20
וְיַֽעַמְד֖וּ
H5975
and they shall stand
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#21
נֵ֥ד
H5067
heap
a mound, i.e., wave
#22
אֶחָֽד׃
H259
upon an
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources