Joshua 4:3

Authorized King James Version

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְצַוּ֣וּ
And command
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#2
אוֹתָם֮
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
לֵאמֹר֒
ye them saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
שְׂאֽוּ
Take
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#5
לָכֶ֨ם
H0
#6
מִזֶּ֜ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
you hence out of the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#8
הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן
of Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#9
מִמַּצַּב֙
stood
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
#10
רַגְלֵ֣י
feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#11
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים
out of the place where the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#12
הָכִ֖ין
firm
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
#13
שְׁתֵּים
twelve
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#14
עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#15
אֲבָנִ֑ים
H68
stones
a stone
#16
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֤ם
and ye shall carry them over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#17
אוֹתָם֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#19
וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֣ם
with you and leave
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
#20
אוֹתָ֔ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
בַּמָּל֕וֹן
them in the lodging place
a lodgment, i.e., caravanserai or encampment
#22
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#23
תָּלִ֥ינוּ
where ye shall lodge
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
#24
ב֖וֹ
H0
#25
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
this night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

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 revelation 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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