📖 Joshua — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Joshua 4:1 And it came to pass, when all the people Rwere clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
Joshua 4:2 Take you Rtwelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, Rtwelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
Joshua 4:4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had Rprepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
Joshua 4:5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
Joshua 4:6 That this may be Ra sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers Tin time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
Joshua 4:7 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 Rmemorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Joshua 4:8 And the children of Israel Rdid so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Joshua 4:9 And Joshua Rset up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Joshua 4:10 For the priests which bare the ark Rstood in the midst of Jordan, until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.
Joshua 4:11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, Rthat the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.
Joshua 4:12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:
Joshua 4:13 About forty thousand RTprepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
Joshua 4:14 On that day the LORD Rmagnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
Joshua 4:15 And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
Joshua 4:16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
Joshua 4:17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, RCome ye up out of Jordan.
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 Rthe soles of the priests’ feet were Tlifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and Tflowed over all his banks, as they did before.
Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the Rfirst month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
Joshua 4:20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
Joshua 4:21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, RWhen your children shall ask their fathers Tin time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
Joshua 4:22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
Joshua 4:23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, Rwhich he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
Joshua 4:24 That Rall the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God Tfor ever.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 4:1–9 — Stones for remembrance
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A man from each tribe takes a stone from the crossing place. The stones will prompt children to ask about the LORD's opening of Jordan.
Key Truth: A visible memorial helps pass the story to the next generation.
Check What You Remember
1. How many men were chosen, one from each tribe? (Joshua 4:2)
Find it in Joshua 4:2 (KJV).
2. What was each man to carry on his shoulder? (Joshua 4:5)
Find it in Joshua 4:5 (KJV).
3. Whose future questions would the stones help answer? (Joshua 4:6)
Find it in Joshua 4:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 4:10–18 — All Israel crosses
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The priests remain in the river until the people have finished crossing. The eastern tribes participate, Joshua's leadership is honored, and the river returns when the priests leave.
Key Truth: The crossing is completed according to the LORD's directions.
Check What You Remember
1. About how many armed men from the eastern tribes crossed for battle? (Joshua 4:13)
Find it in Joshua 4:13 (KJV).
2. Who was magnified in Israel's sight that day? (Joshua 4:14)
Find it in Joshua 4:14 (KJV).
3. What returned to its usual place when the priests left? (Joshua 4:18)
Find it in Joshua 4:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 4:19–24 — The memorial at Gilgal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Israel camps at Gilgal, where Joshua sets up the stones. He explains that future generations should know the LORD's mighty hand and fear him.
Key Truth: Remembering God's acts should lead to reverence.
Check What You Remember
1. On what day of the first month did Israel come up from Jordan? (Joshua 4:19)
Find it in Joshua 4:19 (KJV).
2. Where were the twelve stones set up? (Joshua 4:20)
Find it in Joshua 4:20 (KJV).
3. What other sea crossing is recalled alongside Jordan? (Joshua 4:23)
Find it in Joshua 4:23 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 78:4 — Both passages emphasize telling the next generation about the LORD's acts.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which truth from this chapter do you want to remember? What question or related Scripture would you like to explore next? You can keep these thoughts in your private Notes below.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do the stones serve the next generation?
2. From what specific place are the carried stones taken?
3. What signals the return of Jordan to its usual course?
4. How does the chapter connect Joshua’s honour with Moses?
5. What two purposes are given for the LORD drying Jordan?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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