Joshua 4:16
Joshua 4:16 in Multiple Translations
“Command the priests who carry the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.”
Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.
Give orders to the priests who take up the ark of witness, to come up out of Jordan.
“Order the priests carrying the Ark of the Testimony to come up out of the Jordan.”
Commande the Priests that beare ye Arke of the testimonie, to come vp out of Iorden.
'Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony, and they come up out of the Jordan.'
“Command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, that they come up out of the Jordan.”
Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
Command the priests, that carry the ark of the covenant, to come up out of the Jordan.
“Now tell the priests who are carrying the chest containing the Ten Commandments to come up from the Jordan riverbed.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 4:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 4:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
צַוֵּה֙
אֶת
הַ/כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
נֹשְׂאֵ֖י
אֲר֣וֹן
הָ/עֵד֑וּת
וְ/יַעֲל֖וּ
מִן
הַ/יַּרְדֵּֽן
צַוֵּה֙
tsâvâh
H6680
to command
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-mp
נֹשְׂאֵ֖י
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal
אֲר֣וֹן
ʼârôwn
H727
ark
N-cs
הָ/עֵד֑וּת
ʻêdûwth
H5715
testimony
Art | N-fs
וְ/יַעֲל֖וּ
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/יַּרְדֵּֽן
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 4:16
צַוֵּה֙
tsâvâh
H6680
"to command"
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded
Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
נֹשְׂאֵ֖י
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
אֲר֣וֹן
ʼârôwn
H727
"ark"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.
Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.
הָ/עֵד֑וּת
ʻêdûwth
H5715
"testimony"
Art | N-fs
This word means a testimony or witness, often referring to God's laws or instructions. It is used in several books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe God's guidance. The word emphasizes the importance of following God's laws.
Definition: testimony
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: testimony, witness. See also: Exodus 16:34; Numbers 17:19; Psalms 19:8.
וְ/יַעֲל֖וּ
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּֽן
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
Study Notes — Joshua 4:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 4:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 4:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 4:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
- Sermons on Joshua 4:16
Context — Twelve Stones from the Jordan
14On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.
15Then the LORD said to Joshua,
16“Command the priests who carry the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.”
17So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 11:19 | Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. |
| 2 | Exodus 25:16–22 | And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat. Set the mercy seat atop the ark, and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites. |
| 3 | Joshua 3:3–6 | and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.” Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” And he said to the priests, “Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them. |
Joshua 4:16 Summary
In Joshua 4:16, God instructs Joshua to tell the priests to come up from the Jordan River, marking a significant step in the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land. This event shows how God leads and guides His people, often through human leaders like Joshua, as seen in Exodus 13:21 and Numbers 9:15-23. Just as the Israelites had to trust God to part the waters of the Jordan, we too must trust Him to guide us through life's challenges, as promised in Psalm 32:8 and Proverbs 3:5-6. By following God's presence and leadership, we can experience His presence and power in our own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ark of the Testimony in this verse?
The ark of the Testimony represents the presence and covenant of God with His people, as seen in Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 7:89, and its movement is a symbol of God's leadership and guidance.
Why did the priests need to be commanded to come up from the Jordan?
The priests needed to be commanded to come up from the Jordan because they were waiting for a sign or instruction from God, through Joshua, to proceed, as seen in Joshua 3:13 and Joshua 4:16.
What role did Joshua play in this event?
Joshua played the role of a mediator between God and the people, receiving instructions from God and passing them on to the priests, as seen in Joshua 4:15-16, similar to Moses' role in Exodus 17:1-6.
How does this event relate to the broader story of the Israelites?
This event marks a significant step in the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land, as they cross the Jordan River and begin to conquer the land, as seen in Joshua 1:1-6 and Joshua 4:1-24.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to follow God's presence and leadership in my own life, and how can I be more attentive to His guidance?
- How do I respond when God gives me a command or instruction, and what role do I play in carrying out His plans?
- What are some 'rivers' or challenges in my life that I need to cross, and how can I trust God to provide a way forward?
- How can I, like Joshua, be a mediator or leader in my own community, helping others to follow God's instructions and plans?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 4:16
Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony,.... In all places before, in this history, the ark is called the ark of the covenant, here the ark of the testimony, which signifies the same
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 4:16
And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
For being now in the middle, and lowest, and deepest place of the river, (of which See POOLE "",) they are most properly said to ascend or go up to the land; which word is thrice used ill this and the two next following verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
Joshua 4:16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.Ver. 16. Command the priests.] They would not stir out of their station till God called them off. It is good to do all by a warrant. To be out of God’ s precincts is to be out of his protection.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
(16) Command the priests . . . that they come up out of Jordan.—Observe that the removal of the priests and the ark of the covenant from their station in Jordan is made the subject of a distinct section, and treated as a distinct event. It need not have been so for the purpose of the mere historical narrative. We might have taken it for granted. But the significance of the event is so marked as to receive a separate notice. We are not suffered to forget by what means Jordan was driven back, and held in check; and the check was not meant to be perpetual. We are reminded that the suspension of the power of death for men has its limits. When the day of grace is over, the waters will “return unto their place and flow over all the banks as before.” (Comp. Isaiah 28:16-18; Isaiah 28:20.)
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 4:16
16. Ark of the testimony — This was so called because it contained the two tables of testimony. Deuteronomy 31:18; see note on Joshua 3:3. Gesenius renders, ark of the law.
Sermons on Joshua 4:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Ark of God by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon delves into the story of David and the ark of God, highlighting the consequences of mishandling holy things, the importance of obedience over sacrifice, and the need fo |
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The Ark of His Covenant by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the significance of the Ark of the Covenant, illustrating how it symbolizes God's unchanging promises and presence among His people. He explains that while |
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The Ark of the Covenant by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle, highlighting how it represents Christ as the Ark of redemption, the embodiment of the Law, a |
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Span-03 Definition of an Apostolic Church by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of the word of God and the authority it carries. He refers to the story of Moses and how God called him to confront Pharaoh and lea |
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K-440 True Reconciliation (1 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of unity within the church. He emphasizes that every detail in the tabernacle, as described in Exodus 25, is significant and r |
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The Tabernacle #3: Holy of Holies by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the spiritual experience of believers after they have accepted Jesus as their savior. They go through a stage of enlightenment and are adorned |
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The Testimony of the Lord Is Sure" by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches on the unchanging and faultless testimony of God to humanity, emphasizing the wisdom and understanding it imparts to those who believe with open hearts. The serm |