Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 21st, 2025
the Fourth Week of Advent
the Fourth Week of Advent
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Easy-to-Read Version
Joshua 3:8
The priests will carry the Box of the Agreement. Tell them this, ‘Walk to the shore of the Jordan River and stop just before you step into the water.'"
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan.”
Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan.”
Hebrew Names Version
You shall command the Kohanim who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the waters of the Yarden, you shall stand still in the Yarden.
You shall command the Kohanim who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the waters of the Yarden, you shall stand still in the Yarden.
King James Version
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
Lexham English Bible
You will command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘At the moment that you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you will stand still in the Jordan.'"
You will command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘At the moment that you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you will stand still in the Jordan.'"
English Standard Version
And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
New Century Version
Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Agreement to go to the edge of the Jordan River and stand in the water."
Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Agreement to go to the edge of the Jordan River and stand in the water."
New English Translation
Instruct the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, ‘When you reach the bank of the Jordan River, wade into the water.'"
Instruct the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, ‘When you reach the bank of the Jordan River, wade into the water.'"
Amplified Bible
"You shall command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
"You shall command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
New American Standard Bible
"So you shall command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
"So you shall command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Thou shalt therefore command the Priests that beare the Arke of the Couenant, saying, When ye are come to the brinke of the waters of Iorden, ye shall stande still in Iorden.
Thou shalt therefore command the Priests that beare the Arke of the Couenant, saying, When ye are come to the brinke of the waters of Iorden, ye shall stande still in Iorden.
Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, you shall command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
Moreover, you shall command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
Contemporary English Version
Now, tell the priests who are carrying the chest to go a little way into the river and stand there."
Now, tell the priests who are carrying the chest to go a little way into the river and stand there."
Complete Jewish Bible
Now you are to order the cohanim carrying the ark for the covenant as follows: ‘When you come to the edge of the Yarden River, you are to stop in the Yarden itself.'"
Now you are to order the cohanim carrying the ark for the covenant as follows: ‘When you come to the edge of the Yarden River, you are to stop in the Yarden itself.'"
Darby Translation
And thou shalt command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, stand still in the Jordan.
And thou shalt command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, stand still in the Jordan.
George Lamsa Translation
And you shall command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, When you are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.
And you shall command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, When you are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.
Good News Translation
Tell the priests carrying the Covenant Box that when they reach the river, they must wade in and stand near the bank."
Tell the priests carrying the Covenant Box that when they reach the river, they must wade in and stand near the bank."
Literal Translation
And you shall command the priests bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan you shall stand still in the Jordan.
And you shall command the priests bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan you shall stand still in the Jordan.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And commaunde thou the prestes that beare the Arke, and saye: Whan ye come before in the water of Iordane, stonde styll.
And commaunde thou the prestes that beare the Arke, and saye: Whan ye come before in the water of Iordane, stonde styll.
American Standard Version
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.
Bible in Basic English
And you are to give orders to the priests who take up the ark of the agreement, and say, When you come to the edge of the waters of Jordan, go no further.
And you are to give orders to the priests who take up the ark of the agreement, and say, When you come to the edge of the waters of Jordan, go no further.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And thou shalt comaunde ye priestes that beare the arke of the couenaunt, saying: when ye are come to the edge of the waters of Iordane, ye shall stande still in Iordane.
And thou shalt comaunde ye priestes that beare the arke of the couenaunt, saying: when ye are come to the edge of the waters of Iordane, ye shall stande still in Iordane.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying: When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.'
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying: When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.'
King James Version (1611)
And thou shalt commaund the Priests that beare the Arke of the Couenant, saying; When ye are come to the brinke of the water of Iordan, yee shall stand still in Iordan.
And thou shalt commaund the Priests that beare the Arke of the Couenant, saying; When ye are come to the brinke of the water of Iordan, yee shall stand still in Iordan.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And now charge the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, As soon as ye shall enter on a part of the water of Jordan, then ye shall stand in Jordan.
And now charge the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, As soon as ye shall enter on a part of the water of Jordan, then ye shall stand in Jordan.
English Revised Version
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
Berean Standard Bible
Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the waters, stand in the Jordan.'"
Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the waters, stand in the Jordan.'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe comaunde thou to preestis, that beren the arke of bond of pees, and seie thou to hem, Whanne ye han entrid in to a part of the watir of Jordan, stonde ye therynne.
Forsothe comaunde thou to preestis, that beren the arke of bond of pees, and seie thou to hem, Whanne ye han entrid in to a part of the watir of Jordan, stonde ye therynne.
Young's Literal Translation
and thou, thou dost command the priests bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye come unto the extremity of the waters of the Jordan -- in the Jordan ye stand.'
and thou, thou dost command the priests bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye come unto the extremity of the waters of the Jordan -- in the Jordan ye stand.'
Update Bible Version
And you shall command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.
And you shall command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.
Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye have come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye have come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
World English Bible
You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.
You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.
New King James Version
You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, "When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan."'
You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, "When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan."'
New Living Translation
Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.'"
Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.'"
New Life Bible
Tell the religious leaders who are carrying the special box of the agreement, ‘When you come to the water of the Jordan River, stand still in it.'"
Tell the religious leaders who are carrying the special box of the agreement, ‘When you come to the water of the Jordan River, stand still in it.'"
New Revised Standard
You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thou, therefore, shalt command the priests who am bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, - When ye are come as far as the edge of the waters of the Jordan, in the Jordan, shall ye stand.
Thou, therefore, shalt command the priests who am bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, - When ye are come as far as the edge of the waters of the Jordan, in the Jordan, shall ye stand.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And do thou command the priests, that carry the ark of the covenant, and say to them: When you shall have entered into part of the water of the Jordan, stand in it.
And do thou command the priests, that carry the ark of the covenant, and say to them: When you shall have entered into part of the water of the Jordan, stand in it.
Revised Standard Version
And you shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
And you shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
"You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
Contextual Overview
7 Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to make you a great man for all the Israelites to see. Then the people will know that I am with you just as I was with Moses. 8 The priests will carry the Box of the Agreement. Tell them this, ‘Walk to the shore of the Jordan River and stop just before you step into the water.'" 9 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 Here is proof that the living God is really with you and that he will surely defeat your enemies. He will defeat the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites; he will force them to leave their land. 11 The Box of the Agreement of the Lord of the whole world will go before you as you cross the Jordan River. 12 Now choose twelve men, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 The priests will carry the Holy Box of the Lord . He is the Lord of the whole world. They will carry that Box in front of you into the Jordan River. When they enter the water, the water of the Jordan River will stop flowing and fill behind that place like at a dam."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
command: Joshua 3:3, 1 Chronicles 15:11, 1 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 17:8, 2 Chronicles 17:9, 2 Chronicles 29:4-11, 2 Chronicles 29:15, 2 Chronicles 29:27, 2 Chronicles 29:30, 2 Chronicles 30:12, 2 Chronicles 31:9, 2 Chronicles 31:10, 2 Chronicles 35:2-6, Nehemiah 12:24-28, Nehemiah 13:22, Nehemiah 13:28
ye shall stand: Joshua 3:17, Exodus 14:13, Lamentations 3:26
Reciprocal: Joshua 4:11 - that the ark
Cross-References
Genesis 3:1
The snake was the most clever of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. The snake spoke to the woman and said, "Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?"
The snake was the most clever of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. The snake spoke to the woman and said, "Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?"
Genesis 3:2
The woman answered the snake, "No, we can eat fruit from the trees in the garden.
The woman answered the snake, "No, we can eat fruit from the trees in the garden.
Genesis 3:3
But there is one tree we must not eat from. God told us, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not even touch that tree, or you will die.'"
But there is one tree we must not eat from. God told us, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not even touch that tree, or you will die.'"
Genesis 3:9
The Lord God called to the man and said, "Where are you?"
The Lord God called to the man and said, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:10
The man said, "I heard you walking in the garden, and I was afraid. I was naked, so I hid."
The man said, "I heard you walking in the garden, and I was afraid. I was naked, so I hid."
Genesis 3:12
The man said, "The woman you put here with me gave me fruit from that tree. So I ate it."
The man said, "The woman you put here with me gave me fruit from that tree. So I ate it."
Genesis 3:21
The Lord God used animal skins and made some clothes for the man and his wife. Then he put the clothes on them.
The Lord God used animal skins and made some clothes for the man and his wife. Then he put the clothes on them.
Genesis 3:22
The Lord God said, "Look, the man has become like us—he knows about good and evil. And now the man might take the fruit from the tree of life. If the man eats that fruit, he will live forever."
The Lord God said, "Look, the man has become like us—he knows about good and evil. And now the man might take the fruit from the tree of life. If the man eats that fruit, he will live forever."
Deuteronomy 4:33
You people heard God speaking to you from a fire, and you are still alive. Has that ever happened to anyone else? No!
You people heard God speaking to you from a fire, and you are still alive. Has that ever happened to anyone else? No!
Deuteronomy 5:25
But if we hear the Lord our God speak to us again, surely we will die! That terrible fire will destroy us. We don't want to die.
But if we hear the Lord our God speak to us again, surely we will die! That terrible fire will destroy us. We don't want to die.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the Lord,.... Who were subject to Joshua, the chief governor of the nation, and general of the army, as well as the common people; and whose commands they were to obey, and especially when they appeared to be from the Lord:
saying, when ye come to the brink of the water of Jordan; not of the bank of it, but of the water, which had now overflowed its bank; that is, the brink or extremity of it, which was nearest to them, and to which they first came; though it is a notion of some Jewish commentators t, and which some Christian interpreters u have given into, and both of considerable note, that this was the further extremity, or the brink on the other side of the river; but, according to this notion, they must pass the river to the other side before the waters were divided, which is not credible; and must return again into the midst of the river, which is not probable; and besides, it is expressly said, that as soon as their feet dipped in the brim, or extremity of the water, the waters parted, which must be the first brim or extremity they came at, Joshua 3:15;
ye shall stand still in Jordan; after the waters were parted; upon their coming to, and touching, the brink of them, they proceeded, and went into the middle of the river, where they were ordered to stop and stand still.
t Kimchi, Abarbinel. u Masius, Drusius.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Joshua 3:8. Ye shall stand still in Jordan. — The priests proceeded first with the ark, and entered into the bed of the river the course of which was immediately arrested, the waters collecting above the place where the priests stood, while the stream fell off towards the Dead Sea; so that the whole channel below where the priests were standing became dry. The whole camp, therefore, passed over below where the priests were standing, keeping at the distance of two thousand cubits from the ark; this they would readily do, as the whole bed of the river was dry for many miles below the place where the priests entered.
