Joshua 3:8 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

You must give this command to the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan River, step into the water and stand still there.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is telling Joshua to instruct the priests to step into the Jordan River and wait there while carrying the sacred ark.

📚 Historical Context

This occurred as the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness. The ark of the covenant was their most sacred object, representing God's presence among them. The Jordan River was at flood stage during harvest time, making it normally impossible to cross safely.

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2 Chronicles 23:1

In the seventh year, Jehoiada gathered his courage and made an agreement with five military commanders: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.

Jeremiah 11:8

But they didn't obey or listen to me. Instead, each person followed the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. So I will bring on them all the curses I warned about in this agreement—the one I commanded them to follow, but they refused to obey.

Deuteronomy 9:15

So I turned around and came down from the mountain, while the mountain was burning with fire, and I was carrying the two stone tablets with God's covenant in my hands.

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