7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

Other Translations of Joshua 4:7

King James Version

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 memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

English Standard Version

7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."

The Message

7 you'll say, 'The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan - stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.'"

New King James Version

7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."

New Living Translation

7 Then you can tell them, 'They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord 's Covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:7

Commentary on Joshua 4:1-9

(Read Joshua 4:1-9)

The works of the Lord are so worthy of rememberance, and the heart of man is so prone to forget them, that various methods are needful to refresh our memories, for the glory of God, our advantage, and that of our children. God gave orders for preparing this memorial.

10 Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,

Other Translations of Joshua 4:10

King James Version

10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing 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.

English Standard Version

10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people passed over in haste.

The Message

10 The priests carrying the Chest continued standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything God had instructed Joshua to tell the people to do was done (confirming what Moses had instructed Joshua). The people crossed; no one dawdled.

New King James Version

10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over.

New Living Translation

10 The priests who were carrying the Ark stood in the middle of the river until all of the Lord 's commands that Moses had given to Joshua were carried out. Meanwhile, the people hurried across the riverbed.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:10

Commentary on Joshua 4:10-19

(Read Joshua 4:10-19)

The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.

11 and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched.

Other Translations of Joshua 4:11

King James Version

11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

English Standard Version

11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the Lord and the priests passed over before the people.

The Message

11 When the crossing of all the people was complete, they watched as the Chest of the Covenant and the priests crossed over.

New King James Version

11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.

New Living Translation

11 And when everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of the Lord as the people watched.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:11

Commentary on Joshua 4:10-19

(Read Joshua 4:10-19)

The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.

17 So Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan."

Other Translations of Joshua 4:17

King James Version

17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.

English Standard Version

17 So Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan."

The Message

17 Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan."

New King James Version

17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, "Come up from the Jordan."

New Living Translation

17 So Joshua gave the command.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:17

Commentary on Joshua 4:10-19

(Read Joshua 4:10-19)

The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.

18 And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.

Other Translations of Joshua 4:18

King James Version

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.

English Standard Version

18 And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.

The Message

18 They did it. The priests carrying God's Chest of the Covenant came up from the middle of the Jordan. As soon as the soles of the priests' feet touched dry land, the Jordan's waters resumed their flow within the banks, just as before.

New King James Version

18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before.

New Living Translation

18 As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the Lord 's Covenant came up out of the riverbed and their feet were on high ground, the water of the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:18

Commentary on Joshua 4:10-19

(Read Joshua 4:10-19)

The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.