Joshua 4:8

Authorized King James Version

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And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ did H6213
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 1 of 28
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵ֣ן H3651
כֵ֣ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 2 of 28
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בְנֵֽי And the children H1121
בְנֵֽי And the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוָּ֣ה commanded H6680
צִוָּ֣ה commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 6 of 28
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ so as Joshua H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ so as Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 7 of 28
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
וַיִּשְׂא֡וּ and took up H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֡וּ and took up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 8 of 28
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
שְׁתֵּֽי twelve H8147
שְׁתֵּֽי twelve
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 9 of 28
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה
Strong's: H6240
Word #: 10 of 28
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
אֲבָנִ֜ים stones H68
אֲבָנִ֜ים stones
Strong's: H68
Word #: 11 of 28
a stone
מִתּ֣וֹךְ out of the midst H8432
מִתּ֣וֹךְ out of the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 12 of 28
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן of Jordan H3383
הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן of Jordan
Strong's: H3383
Word #: 13 of 28
jarden, the principal river of palestine
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֤ר spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֤ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 15 of 28
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָה֙ as the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 16 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 17 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ so as Joshua H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ so as Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 18 of 28
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
לְמִסְפַּ֖ר according to the number H4557
לְמִסְפַּ֖ר according to the number
Strong's: H4557
Word #: 19 of 28
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שִׁבְטֵ֣י of the tribes H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י of the tribes
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 20 of 28
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
בְנֵֽי And the children H1121
בְנֵֽי And the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 21 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 22 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּֽעֲבִר֤וּם and carried them over H5674
וַיַּֽעֲבִר֤וּם and carried them over
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 23 of 28
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עִמָּם֙ H5973
עִמָּם֙
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 24 of 28
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 25 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַמָּל֔וֹן with them unto the place where they lodged H4411
הַמָּל֔וֹן with them unto the place where they lodged
Strong's: H4411
Word #: 26 of 28
a lodgment, i.e., caravanserai or encampment
וַיַּנִּח֖וּם and laid them down H3240
וַיַּנִּח֖וּם and laid them down
Strong's: H3240
Word #: 27 of 28
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
שָֽׁם׃ H8033
שָֽׁם׃
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 28 of 28
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis & Commentary

The twelve stones' arrangement creates visible memorial, teaching tool for future generations about God's faithfulness.

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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