Joshua 3:16

Authorized King James Version

That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּֽעַמְד֡וּ

H5975

stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

הַמַּיִם֩

H4325

That the waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְהַיֹּֽרְדִ֗ים

H3381

and those that came 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

מִלְמַ֜עְלָה

H4605

from above

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

קָ֣מוּ

H6965

and rose up

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

נֵד

H5067

heap

a mound, i.e., wave

אֶחָ֗ד

H259

upon an

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הַרְחֵ֨ק

H7368

far

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מְאֹ֜ד

H3966

very

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

#10

בֵֽאָדָ֤ם

H121

Adam

adam the name of the first man, also of a place in palestine

#11

הָעִיר֙

H5892

from the city

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#12

אֲשֶׁר֙

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

מִצַּ֣ד

H6654

that is beside

a side; figuratively, an adversary

#14

צָֽרְתָ֔ן

H6891

Zaretan

tsarethan, a place in palestine

#15

וְהַיֹּֽרְדִ֗ים

H3381

and those that came 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

#16

עַ֣ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#17

יָם

H3220

sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

#18

הָֽעֲרָבָ֛ה

H6160

of the plain

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

#19

יָם

H3220

sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

#20

הַמֶּ֖לַח

H4417

even the salt

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

#21

תַּ֣מּוּ

H8552

failed

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

#22

נִכְרָ֑תוּ

H3772

and were 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

#23

וְהָעָ֥ם

H5971

and the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#24

עָֽבְר֖וּ

H5674

passed over

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

#25

נֶ֥גֶד

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

#26

יְרִיחֽוֹ׃

H3405

right against Jericho

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

Analysis

Within the broader context of Joshua, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Joshua.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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