Joshua 3:6

Authorized King James Version

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And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

Original Language Analysis

לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 19
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ And Joshua H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ And Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 2 of 19
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים unto the priests H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים unto the priests
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 4 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 19
to say (used with great latitude)
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ And they took up H5375
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ And they took up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 6 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲר֣וֹן the ark H727
אֲר֣וֹן the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 8 of 19
a box
הַבְּרִ֔ית of the covenant H1285
הַבְּרִ֔ית of the covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 9 of 19
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וְעִבְר֖וּ and pass over H5674
וְעִבְר֖וּ and pass over
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 10 of 19
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 11 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָעָֽם׃ the people H5971
הָעָֽם׃ the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 12 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ And they took up H5375
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ And they took up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 13 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲר֣וֹן the ark H727
אֲר֣וֹן the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 15 of 19
a box
הַבְּרִ֔ית of the covenant H1285
הַבְּרִ֔ית of the covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 16 of 19
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 17 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 18 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָעָֽם׃ the people H5971
הָעָֽם׃ the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 19 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis & Commentary

Joshua's command to priests to 'take up the ark and pass over before the people' placed covenant presence in the vanguard, demonstrating God leads His people.

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

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