Joshua 4:18
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַ֠יְהִי
H1961
וַ֠יְהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּֽעֲל֨וֹת
were come up
H5927
כַּֽעֲל֨וֹת
were come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 25
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים
And it came to pass when the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים
And it came to pass when the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 25
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֨י
that bare
H5375
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֨י
that bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 25
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בְּרִית
of the covenant
H1285
בְּרִית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
6 of 25
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
8 of 25
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
כַּפּוֹת֙
and the soles
H3709
כַּפּוֹת֙
and the soles
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
11 of 25
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-
רַגְלֵ֣י
feet
H7272
רַגְלֵ֣י
feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
12 of 25
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים
And it came to pass when the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים
And it came to pass when the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
13 of 25
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ
returned
H7725
וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ
returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
16 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵֽי
that the waters
H4325
מֵֽי
that the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
17 of 25
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
לִמְקוֹמָ֔ם
unto their place
H4725
לִמְקוֹמָ֔ם
unto their place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
20 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כִתְמוֹל
as
H8543
כִתְמוֹל
as
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
שִׁלְשׁ֖וֹם
they did before
H8032
שִׁלְשׁ֖וֹם
they did before
Strong's:
H8032
Word #:
22 of 25
trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
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
Waters returning to flood stage immediately upon priests' emergence demonstrates miracle's divine nature and timing.