Joshua 4:4
New International Version
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe,

New Living Translation
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel.

English Standard Version
Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe.

Berean Standard Bible
So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe,

King James Bible
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

New King James Version
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe;

New American Standard Bible
So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;

NASB 1995
So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;

NASB 1977
So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;

Legacy Standard Bible
So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;

Amplified Bible
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;

Christian Standard Bible
So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Joshua summoned the 12 men he had selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe,

American Standard Version
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

Contemporary English Version
Joshua chose twelve men; then he called them together

English Revised Version
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joshua called the 12 men whom he had selected (one from each tribe).

Good News Translation
Then Joshua called the twelve men he had chosen,

International Standard Version
So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had chosen from the people of Israel, one man from each tribe.

Majority Standard Bible
So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe,

NET Bible
Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one per tribe.

New Heart English Bible
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, of every tribe a man:

World English Bible
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, a man out of every tribe.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joshua calls to the twelve men whom he prepared out of the sons of Israel, one man—one man out of a tribe;

Young's Literal Translation
And Joshua calleth unto the twelve men whom he prepared out of the sons of Israel, one man -- one man out of a tribe;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua will call to the twelve men whom he prepared from the sons of Israel, one man, one man from a tribe:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Josue called twelve men, whom he had chosen out of the children of Israel, one out of every tribe,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Joshua called twelve men, whom he had chosen from the sons of Israel, one from each tribe,

New American Bible
Summoning the twelve men he had selected from among the Israelites, one from each tribe,

New Revised Standard Version
Then Joshua summoned the twelve men from the Israelites, whom he had appointed, one from each tribe.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Joshua called the twelve men who were selected from the children of Israel, out of each tribe a man;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yeshua called twelve men, those who were provided from the children of Israel, one man from each tribe
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joshua having called twelve men of distinction among the children of Israel, one of each tribe,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Twelve Stones from the Jordan
3and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’ ” 4So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5and said to them, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of Israel,…

Cross References
Joshua 3:12
Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.

Joshua 3:17
The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.

Joshua 1:10-11
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: / “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”

Joshua 6:12-13
Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests took the ark of the LORD. / And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding.

Exodus 12:21
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Numbers 1:4-16
And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you. / These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; / from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; ...

Deuteronomy 27:2-3
And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. / Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.

1 Kings 18:31
And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.”

1 Chronicles 12:32
From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.

Nehemiah 9:12
You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel.

Psalm 114:3
The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;

Isaiah 43:16
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,

Matthew 10:2-4
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; / Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Mark 3:14-19
He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, / and to have authority to drive out demons. / These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter), ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

prepared

Joshua 4:2
Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

Mark 3:14-19
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, …

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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














So Joshua summoned
The name "Joshua" is derived from the Hebrew "Yehoshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." Joshua, as the leader of Israel, is a type of Christ, leading God's people into the Promised Land. The act of summoning indicates authority and purpose. Joshua's leadership is divinely appointed, and his actions are directed by God. This summoning is a call to action, reflecting the obedience and readiness required of God's people.

the twelve men
The number twelve is significant throughout Scripture, symbolizing completeness and God's covenant people, Israel. These twelve men represent the twelve tribes, emphasizing unity and collective responsibility. In the New Testament, Jesus also chose twelve apostles, drawing a parallel to the foundational role these men play in God's redemptive plan.

he had appointed
The Hebrew root for "appointed" is "paqad," which can mean to assign, visit, or muster. This conveys a sense of divine selection and purpose. Joshua's appointment of these men is not arbitrary but is guided by God's instructions, highlighting the importance of divine order and structure in fulfilling God's promises.

from the Israelites
The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." This identity is central to their covenant relationship with God. The Israelites are God's chosen people, set apart to demonstrate His power and faithfulness to the nations.

one from each tribe
This phrase underscores the importance of representation and unity among the tribes of Israel. Each tribe has a unique role and contribution to the nation as a whole. The inclusion of one man from each tribe signifies that the memorial stones they are about to set up are a collective testimony of God's faithfulness to all of Israel, not just a select few. This unity is essential for the strength and identity of God's people.

Verse 4. - Prepared. Literally, appointed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

summoned
וַיִּקְרָ֣א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

the twelve
שְׁנֵ֤ים (šə·nêm)
Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

men
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

he had appointed
הֵכִ֖ין (hê·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

from the Israelites,
מִבְּנֵ֣י (mib·bə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

one
אֶחָ֥ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

from [each] tribe,
מִשָּֽׁבֶט׃ (miš·šā·ḇeṭ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe


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OT History: Joshua 4:4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 4:3
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