Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, New Living Translation It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, English Standard Version and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), Berean Standard Bible Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, King James Bible And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) New King James Version and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), New American Standard Bible and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark stepped down into the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), NASB 1995 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), NASB 1977 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), Legacy Standard Bible and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), Amplified Bible and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were submerged at the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all of its banks throughout the time of harvest), Christian Standard Bible Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge Holman Christian Standard Bible Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge American Standard Version and when they that bare the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,) Contemporary English Version until they came to the Jordan River. The water in the river had risen over its banks, as it often does in springtime. But as soon as the feet of the priests touched the water, English Revised Version and when they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,) GOD'S WORD® Translation (The Jordan overflows all its banks during the harvest season.) When the priests who were carrying the ark came to the edge of the Jordan River and set foot in International Standard Version When the priests who carried the ark entered the Jordan River, as their feet touched the water's edge (The Jordan River overflows all of its banks daily during the harvest season.), Majority Standard Bible Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water?s edge, NET Bible When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface of the water--(the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time)-- New Heart English Bible and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest), Webster's Bible Translation And as they that bore the ark had come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,) World English Bible and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest), Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand at those carrying the Ark coming to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the Ark have been dipped in the extremity of the waters (and the Jordan is full over all its banks all the days of harvest)— Young's Literal Translation and at those bearing the ark coming in unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark have been dipped in the extremity of the waters (and the Jordan is full over all its banks all the days of harvest) -- Smith's Literal Translation And as they lifting up the ark come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests lifting up the ark were dipped in the extremity of the waters (and Jordan was filled up to all its banks all the days of harvest,) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd as soon as they came into the Jordan, and their feet were dipped in part of the water, (now the Jordan, it being harvest time, had filled the banks of its channel,) Catholic Public Domain Version And as soon as they entered into the Jordan, and their feet were dipped in a portion of the water, (now the Jordan, since it was the time of the harvest, had filled the banks of its channel,) New American Bible When those bearing the ark came to the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were immersed in the waters of the Jordan—which overflows all its banks during the entire season of the harvest— New Revised Standard Version Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd as soon as those that bore the ark reached the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who were bearing the ark were dipped in the brim of the water (for the Jordan overflows its banks all the time of harvest); Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when the bearers of the ark arrived unto the Jordan, the feet of the Priests who were carrying the ark were made wet on the banks of the waters, and Jordan was full, brink to brink, all the days of harvest OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and when they that bore the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brink of the water--for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest-- Brenton Septuagint Translation And when the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord entered upon Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord were dipped in part of the water of Jordan; (now Jordan overflowed all its banks about the time of wheat harvest:) Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Crossing the Jordan…14So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. 15Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.… Cross References Exodus 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. 2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Psalm 114:3 The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. Hebrews 11:29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned. 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Psalm 66:6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him. Isaiah 51:10 Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? Nehemiah 9:11 You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters. Psalm 77:16-19 The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. ... Exodus 15:8 At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. 2 Kings 2:14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. Mark 1:10 As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. Treasury of Scripture And as they that bore the ark were come to Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overflows all his banks all the time of harvest,) the feet Joshua 3:13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. Isaiah 26:6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. Joshua 4:18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. 1 Chronicles 12:15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west. Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? all the time Joshua 5:10-12 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho… Leviticus 23:10-16 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: … Deuteronomy 16:1-9 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night… Jump to Previous Ark Banks Bare Bearing Bore Brim Brink Carried Carrying Dipped Edge Harvest Jordan Overfloweth Overflowing Overflows Priests Stage Throughout Time Touched Touching Water Waters Water'sJump to Next Ark Banks Bare Bearing Bore Brim Brink Carried Carrying Dipped Edge Harvest Jordan Overfloweth Overflowing Overflows Priests Stage Throughout Time Touched Touching Water Waters Water'sJoshua 3 1. Joshua come to Jordan2. The officers instruct the people for their passage 7. The Lord encourages Joshua 9. Joshua encourages the people 14. The water of Jordan are divided Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. The Jordan River, a significant geographical feature in Israel, often swells during the harvest season due to the melting snow from Mount Hermon. This natural phenomenon makes crossing the river particularly challenging, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the Israelites' crossing. The timing during the harvest season, likely around April, aligns with the Passover, a period of great significance in Israel's history. This overflowing symbolizes obstacles that seem insurmountable without divine intervention, drawing parallels to other biblical events where God intervenes in nature, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22). But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. 2. The Jordan River A significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites, representing the transition from the wilderness into the Promised Land. 3. The Priests Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence and guidance. 4. The Ark of the Covenant A sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, representing God's covenant with Israel. 5. Harvest Season A time when the Jordan River was at its fullest, making the crossing more miraculous. Teaching Points Faith in ActionThe priests had to step into the overflowing Jordan before the waters parted. This teaches us that faith often requires us to take the first step, trusting in God's provision. God's Timing The crossing occurred during the harvest season when the river was at its fullest. This demonstrates that God's timing may not align with human logic, but it serves to magnify His power and glory. Symbol of Transition The Jordan River represents a boundary between the old life in the wilderness and the new life in the Promised Land. In our lives, God calls us to leave behind old ways and step into His promises. Presence of God The Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, signifies that God's presence goes before us. We are reminded to seek His guidance in all our endeavors. Community and Leadership The priests' role in leading the people across the Jordan highlights the importance of godly leadership and community in achieving God's purposes.Verse 15. - Brim. The water's edge is meant here, as in ver. 8, where the same word is translated brink (see note on ver. 17, and on Joshua 4:19). Jordan overfloweth all his banks. Some commentators translate here, filleth all his banks (ἐπληροῦτο, LXX.). But this rendering is contrary (1) to the Hebrew, and (2) contrary to fact. The literal rendering here is, "filleth out (or upon) all its banks." In ch. 4:18 we read that Jordan goeth over all its banks And that the Jordan is not merely full, but full to overflowing, at the harvest season, is proved by the statements of many travellers. Take, for instance, Canon Tristram ('Land of Israel,' p. 223), who describes his visit to the Jordan as occurring just after it had been overflowing its banks, and the lower level of the valley as filled with "a deep slimy ooze." He adds that, by measure merit, the river was found to have been fourteen feet above the level at which he found it, and it was then quite full. Bartlett ('From Egypt to Palestine,' p. 451) remarks, "We were fortunate enough to see it in the state in which it is described in Joshua, 'overflowing all its banks' - that is, the whole line of its banks. The turbid stream rushed along like a mill race, and though it had fallen from its greatest height, the proper banks of the channel were invisible, and indicated only by lines of oleanders and other shrubs and trees." This was on the 22nd of March. This overflowing is caused by the melting of the snows of Hermon, which then rush down, fill Lake Huleh and its marshes, as well as Gennesareth, and cause the "swelling of Jordan" (Jeremiah 12:5; Jeremiah 49:19; 1:44), which drives the wild beasts from their retreats on its banks (see also 1 Chronicles 12:15). Some travellers have boldly asserted, in spite of this concurrent testimony, that Jordan does not overflow its banks at the time of harvest. But they have mistaken the wheat for the barley harvest, forgetting that in Palestine the latter precedes the former by six or seven weeks. By the time of wheat harvest Jordan has returned to its normal condition, and all traces of the inundation have passed away (see Thomson, 'Land and the Book,' pp. 618-621). The time of harvest, i.e., the barley harvest, which took place about the 10th Nisan, or Abib, when the Israelites crossed. The wheat harvest was about Pentecost, or seven weeks later (Exodus 34:22). An important argument for the genuineness of the narrative (and much the more important as its chief incident is miraculous) is drawn from this passage by Blunt in his 'Undesigned Coincidences.' He remarks that in Exodus 9:31, 33 the barley and flax are said to have ripened together. Therefore the time of the barley and flax harvest would be identical. Accordingly we have Rahab, three days before the event here recorded, in possession of the as yet undried stalks of flax which had just been cut. Nothing could be a more satisfactory proof that the narrative we have before us comes from persons who were accurately and minutely informed concerning the circumstances of which they tell us. Hebrew Now the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine overflows מָלֵא֙ (mā·lê) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of its banks גְּדוֹתָ֔יו (gə·ḏō·w·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1415: A border of a, river throughout כֹּ֖ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the harvest קָצִֽיר׃ (qā·ṣîr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7105: Severed, harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, a limb season. יְמֵ֥י (yə·mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3117: A day But as soon as the priests הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest carrying נֹשְׂאֵ֤י (nō·śə·’ê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take the ark הָֽאָרוֹן֙ (hā·’ā·rō·wn) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 727: A chest, ark reached וּכְב֞וֹא (ū·ḵə·ḇō·w) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the Jordan וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן (wə·hay·yar·dên) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine [and] their feet וְרַגְלֵ֤י (wə·raḡ·lê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda touched נִטְבְּל֖וּ (niṭ·bə·lū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2881: To dip, to immerse the water's הַמָּ֑יִם (ham·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen edge, בִּקְצֵ֣ה (biq·ṣêh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7097: End, extremity Links Joshua 3:15 NIVJoshua 3:15 NLT Joshua 3:15 ESV Joshua 3:15 NASB Joshua 3:15 KJV Joshua 3:15 BibleApps.com Joshua 3:15 Biblia Paralela Joshua 3:15 Chinese Bible Joshua 3:15 French Bible Joshua 3:15 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 3:15 And when those who bore the ark (Josh. 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