Joshua 3:15
And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
Original Language Analysis
וּכְב֞וֹא
were come
H935
וּכְב֞וֹא
were come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י
And as they that bare
H5375
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י
And as they that bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְרַגְלֵ֤י
and the feet
H7272
וְרַגְלֵ֤י
and the feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 20
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
of the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
of the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י
And as they that bare
H5375
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י
And as they that bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הַמָּ֑יִם
of the water
H4325
הַמָּ֑יִם
of the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
12 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מָלֵא֙
overfloweth
H4390
מָלֵא֙
overfloweth
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
14 of 20
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּדוֹתָ֔יו
all his banks
H1415
גְּדוֹתָ֔יו
all his banks
Strong's:
H1415
Word #:
17 of 20
a border of a river (as cut into by the stream)
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 12:15These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.Jeremiah 12:5If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?Jeremiah 49:19Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?Joshua 3:13And 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.Joshua 4:18And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.
Historical Context
This verse appears in the Jordan crossing narrative, one of Joshua's most significant events demonstrating God's power and faithfulness in bringing Israel into the Promised Land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
- What application does this truth have for your walk with Christ today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The timing when Jordan 'overfloweth all his banks' makes the miracle unmistakable—this wasn't crossing at dry season but at flood stage.