Joshua 4:21
New International Version
He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’

New Living Translation
Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’

English Standard Version
And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Berean Standard Bible
Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’

King James Bible
And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

New King James Version
Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’

New American Standard Bible
And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’

NASB 1995
He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’

NASB 1977
And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Amplified Bible
He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Christian Standard Bible
and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’

American Standard Version
And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

Contemporary English Version
Then Joshua told the people: Years from now your children will ask you why these rocks are here.

English Revised Version
And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said to the people of Israel, "In the future when children ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?'

Good News Translation
And he said to the people of Israel, "In the future, when your children ask you what these stones mean,

International Standard Version
Then he told the Israelis, "When your descendants ask their parents in years to come, 'What is the meaning of these stones?'

Majority Standard Bible
Then Joshua said to the Israelites, ?In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ?What is the meaning of these stones??

NET Bible
He told the Israelites, "When your children someday ask their fathers, 'What do these stones represent?'

New Heart English Bible
He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean?'

Webster's Bible Translation
And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

World English Bible
He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he speaks to the sons of Israel, saying, “When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What [are] these stones?

Young's Literal Translation
And he speaketh unto the sons of Israel, saying, 'When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What are these stones?

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to the sons of Israel, saying, When your sons shall ask their fathers to-morrow, saying, What these stones?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And said to the children of Israel: When your children shall ask their fathers, to morrow, and shall say to them: What mean these stones?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to the sons of Israel: “When your sons will question their fathers, tomorrow, and they will say to them, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’

New American Bible
saying to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’

New Revised Standard Version
saying to the Israelites, “When your children ask their parents in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to the children of Israel, When your children shall ask you in time to come, saying, What is the meaning of these stones?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to the children of Israel: “When your children of tomorrow will ask you and they will say to you, ‘What are these stones?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he spoke unto the children of Israel, saying: 'When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying: What mean these stones?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
saying, When your sons ask you, saying, What are these stones?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Camp at Gilgal
20And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. 21Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ 22you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’…

Cross References
Exodus 12:26-27
When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ / you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

Deuteronomy 6:20-25
In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” / then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. ...

Psalm 78:4-7
We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children ...

Psalm 105:1-5
Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. / Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. / Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. ...

Psalm 145:4-7
One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— / the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. / They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. ...

Isaiah 38:19
The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.

Joel 1:3
Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.

Exodus 13:14-16
In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ / So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 4:9-10
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”

Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Judges 2:10
After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.

1 Samuel 7:12
Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

1 Chronicles 16:12-15
Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced, / O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. / He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth. ...

2 Kings 17:41
So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

Nehemiah 9:9-11
You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. / 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.


Treasury of Scripture

And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

When your

Joshua 4:6
That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

Psalm 105:2-5
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works…

Psalm 145:4-7
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts…

in time to come [hb] to-morrow

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Joshua 4
1. Twelve men are appointed to take twelve memorial stones from Jordan
9. Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan
10. The people pass over
14. God magnifies Joshua
15. The priests commanded to come out of Jordan
20. The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal














He said to the Israelites
This phrase introduces a direct communication from Joshua to the people of Israel. The Hebrew root for "said" is אָמַר (amar), which is often used in the Old Testament to denote not just speaking, but conveying a message of importance or command. This highlights the authoritative role of Joshua as the leader appointed by God after Moses. Historically, this moment is significant as it occurs after the Israelites have crossed the Jordan River, a pivotal event marking their entrance into the Promised Land. Joshua's leadership is crucial here, as he is guiding the people in establishing their identity and faithfulness to God's covenant.

In the future
The phrase "in the future" points to the forward-looking nature of God's promises and the continuity of His covenant with Israel. The Hebrew word used here is מָחָר (machar), which can mean "tomorrow" or "in time to come." This indicates that the actions and events of the present have implications for future generations. It underscores the importance of remembering and teaching God's mighty works to ensure that faith is passed down and that the people remain committed to God's laws and promises.

when your children ask their fathers
This phrase emphasizes the role of family and generational teaching in the faith journey of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "children" is בָּנִים (banim), which can also mean "sons," highlighting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society. The act of children asking their fathers signifies a tradition of inquiry and learning, where the older generation is responsible for imparting knowledge and faith to the younger. This reflects the biblical principle found in Deuteronomy 6:7, where parents are instructed to teach God's commandments diligently to their children.

What do these stones mean?
The stones referred to here are the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River, set up as a memorial by the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "stones" is אֲבָנִים (avanim), which in this context serves as a physical reminder of God's miraculous intervention in stopping the river's flow for the Israelites to cross. This question from the children is crucial as it opens the door for recounting God's faithfulness and power. The stones are not just historical artifacts but are imbued with spiritual significance, serving as a tangible link to the divine acts that shaped the identity and faith of the Israelite community. This practice of setting up memorials is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, serving as a means to remember and celebrate God's covenantal relationship with His people.

Verse 21. - When. Hebrews אֲֶשר. The relative pronoun here is sometimes equivalent to "when," as in Deuteronomy 11:6; 1 Kings 8:9. Gesenius would translate "if that," and Keil would render by quod.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then [Joshua] said
וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Israelites,
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

“In the future,
מָחָר֙ (mā·ḥār)
Adverb
Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter

when
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

your children
בְּנֵיכֶ֤ם (bə·nê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

ask
יִשְׁאָל֨וּן (yiš·’ā·lūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

their fathers,
אֲבוֹתָ֣ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

‘What
מָ֖ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is the meaning of these
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

stones?’
הָאֲבָנִ֥ים (hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 68: A stone


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OT History: Joshua 4:21 He spoke to the children of Israel (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 4:20
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