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Tuesday, July 8th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Read the Bible

Brenton's Septuagint

Joshua 4:7

then thou mayest explain to thy son, saying, The river Jordan was dried up from before the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth, when it passed it: and these stones shall be for a memorial for you for the children of Israel for ever.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ark;   Instruction;   Pillar;   Stones;   Token;   Thompson Chain Reference - Memorials;   Remembrance-Forgetfulness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ark of the Covenant;   Jordan, the River;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Remember, Remembrance;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ark;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Jordan;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Memorial;   Sign;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - God;   Jericho;   Joshua;   Pillar;   Quarry;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Jordan ;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Stone;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Conquest of Canaan;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Catechist;   David;   Joshua (2);   Joshua, Book of;   Memorial;   Sabbath Day's Journey;   Sign;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ark of the covenant;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Ark of the Covenant;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for March 28;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.”
Hebrew Names Version
then you shall tell them, Because the waters of the Yarden were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Yarden, the waters of the Yarden were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Yisra'el forever.
King James Version
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord ; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Lexham English Bible
you will say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off from before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones will be as a memorial for the Israelites for eternity."
English Standard Version
then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
New Century Version
Tell them the water stopped flowing in the Jordan when the Ark of the Agreement with the Lord crossed the river. These rocks will always remind the Israelites of this."
New English Translation
tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites."
Amplified Bible
then you shall say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial for Israel forever."
New American Standard Bible
then you shall say to them, 'That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then ye may answere them, That the waters of Iorden were cut off before the Arke of the couenant of the Lord: for when it passed through Iorden, the waters of Iorden were cut off: therefore these stones are a memoriall vnto the children of Israel for euer.
Legacy Standard Bible
then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."
Complete Jewish Bible
you will answer them, ‘It's because the water in the Yarden was cut off before the ark for the covenant of Adonai ; when it crossed the Yarden, the water in the Yarden was cut off; and these stones are to be a reminder for the people of Isra'el forever.'"
Darby Translation
then ye shall say to them, That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; when it went through the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Easy-to-Read Version
You will tell them that the Lord stopped the water from flowing in the Jordan River. When the Holy Box of the Lord 's Agreement crossed the river, the water stopped flowing. These rocks will help the Israelites remember this forever."
George Lamsa Translation
Then you shall tell them, The waters of the Jordan were divided before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when we passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were divided; and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel for ever.
Good News Translation
you will tell them that the water of the Jordan stopped flowing when the Lord 's Covenant Box crossed the river. These stones will always remind the people of Israel of what happened here."
Literal Translation
You shall say to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, as it crossed over into the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones are for a memorial to the sons of Israelall the days.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
That ye maye then saye vnto them, how that the water of Iordane claue in sunder before the Arke of the LORDES couenaunt, whan it wente thorow Iordane, & that these stones are set for a perpetuall remembraunce vnto the children of Israel.
American Standard Version
then ye shall say unto them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Bible in Basic English
Then you will say to them, Because the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the Lord's agreement; when it went over Jordan the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones will be a sign for the children of Israel, keeping it in their memory for ever.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye maye aunswere them: howe that the waters of Iordane deuided at the presence of the arke of the couenaunt of the Lorde, (For when it went ouer Iordane, the waters of Iordane deuided) And these stones are become a memoriall vnto the chyldren of Israel for euer.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
then ye shall say unto them: Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off; and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.'
King James Version (1611)
Then yee shall answere them, That the waters of Iordan were cut off before the Arke of the Couenant of the Lord, when it passed ouer Iordan, the waters of Iordan were cut off: and these stones shall bee for a memoriall vnto the children of Israel for euer.
English Revised Version
then ye shall say unto them, Because the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Berean Standard Bible
you are to tell them, 'The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, its waters were cut off.' Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
ye schulen answere to hem, The watris of Jordan failiden bifor the arke of boond of pees of the Lord, whanne the arke passide Jordan; therfor these stoonus ben set in to mynde of the sones of Israel, til in to withouten ende.
Young's Literal Translation
that ye have said to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off, at the presence of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; in its passing over into the Jordan were the waters of the Jordan cut off; and these stones have been for a memorial to the sons of Israel -- to the age.'
Update Bible Version
then you shall say to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel for ever.
World English Bible
then you shall tell them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.
New King James Version
Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."
New Living Translation
Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord 's Covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever."
New Life Bible
Then you will tell them that the water of the Jordan was cut off before the special box of the agreement of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan was cut off. So these stones will become something to remember to the people of Israel forever."
New Revised Standard
then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord . When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then shall ye say unto them - That the waters of the Jordan, were cut off, from before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, when it passed into the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan, were cut off. So shall these stones become a memorial unto the sons of Israel, unto times age-abiding.
Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall answer them: The waters of the Jordan ran off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over the same: therefore were these stones set for a monument of the children of Israel forever.
Revised Standard Version
Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial for ever."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."

Contextual Overview

1 And when the people had completely passed over Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 Take men from the people, one of each tribe, 3 and charge them; and ye shall take out of the midst of Jordan twelve fit stones, and having carried them across together with yourselves, place them in your camp, where ye shall encamp for the night. 4 And Joshua having called twelve men of distinction among the children of Israel, one of each tribe, 5 said to them, Advance before me in the presence of the Lord into the midst of Jordan, and each having taken up a stone from thence, let him carry it on his shoulders, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel: 6 that these may be to you continually for an appointed sign, that when thy son asks thee in future, saying, What are these stones to us? 7 then thou mayest explain to thy son, saying, The river Jordan was dried up from before the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth, when it passed it: and these stones shall be for a memorial for you for the children of Israel for ever. 8 And the children of Israel did so, as the Lord commanded Joshua; and they took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, (as the Lord commanded Joshua, when the children of Israel had completely passed over,)and carried these stones with them into the camp, and laid them down there. 9 And Joshua set also other twelve stones in Jordan itself, in the place that was under the feet of the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord; and there they are to this day.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the waters: Joshua 3:13-16

memorial: Joshua 4:6, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 28:12, Exodus 30:16, Numbers 16:40, Psalms 111:4, Isaiah 66:3, *marg. 1 Corinthians 11:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:26 - your children Exodus 17:14 - memorial Exodus 39:7 - a memorial Numbers 10:10 - a memorial Numbers 10:33 - the ark Numbers 31:54 - a memorial Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them Deuteronomy 6:20 - when thy son 1 Samuel 1:22 - for ever 1 Samuel 4:3 - the ark 1 Samuel 17:54 - took the head 1 Chronicles 15:29 - as the ark Esther 9:28 - the memorial Psalms 78:4 - showing Psalms 119:27 - so shall I talk Joel 1:3 - General Zechariah 6:14 - a memorial Ephesians 6:4 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 3:16
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed, he shall watch against thy head, and thou shalt watch against his heel.
Genesis 4:6
And the Lord God said to Cain, Why art thou become very sorrowful and why is thy countenance fallen?
Genesis 4:8
And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go out into the plain; and it came to pass that when they were in the plain Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Genesis 4:9
And the Lord God said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? and he said, I know not, am I my brother’s keeper?
Genesis 4:10
And the Lord said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood cries to me out of the ground.
Genesis 4:11
And now thou art cursed from the earth which has opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand.
Genesis 4:12
When thou tillest the earth, then it shall not continue to give its strength to thee: thou shalt be groaning and trembling on the earth.
Genesis 4:13
And Cain said to the Lord God, My crime is too great for me to be forgiven.
Genesis 19:21
And he said to him, Behold, I have had respect to thee also about this thing, that I should not overthrow the city about which thou hast spoken.
Numbers 32:23
But if ye will not do so, ye will sin against the Lord; and ye shall know your sin, when afflictions shall come upon you.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then ye shall answer them,.... By informing them of the design and use of them:

that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan; the waters below from those that were, above, which stood up on an heap; so that they were divided and separated from each other, and made dry land for a passage of the children of Israel; and this was done before, and in the presence of the ark of the covenant, to show that is was owing to the power of God, of whose presence the ark was a symbol:

the waters of Jordan were cut off; which is repeated for the confirmation of it, and that it might be taken notice of as a very marvellous event, and to be ascribed to the divine omnipotence and goodness:

and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever; which, whenever seen and observed by them, would put them in mind of this wonderful appearance of God for them; and Jerom h speaks of them as if seen by Paula in his time, whose life and travels in those parts are written by him.

h Epitaph. Paulae in tom. 1. Oper. fol. 59. K.


 
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