ScriptureDepth's study of Joshua 4
“He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.”
Joshua 4:21-22
Joshua speaks to the children of Israel, instructing them to pass on the story of crossing the Jordan on dry land, ensuring future generations remember Yahweh's power.
What Joshua 4 is about
When the nation finished crossing the Jordan, Yahweh instructed Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe (vv. 1-3). These men were to gather twelve stones from the riverbed where the priests stood and carry them to their campsite as a memorial (vv. 4-7). The Israelites obeyed Joshua and collected the stones, setting them up as instructed (vv. 8-10). After the people crossed, the ark of the covenant moved with the priests in front of them (vv. 11-14). Yahweh then commanded the priests to come up from the river (vv. 15-18). They did so, and the waters returned to normal (vv. 19-21). Joshua set the stones up in Gilgal and spoke to the children of Israel about them (vv. 22-24). He instructed them to tell their children that Israel crossed the Jordan on dry land as Yahweh opened the waters, affirming His power.
You may fear Yahweh your God forever, knowing that His hand is mighty (v. 24).
Joshua 4 at a glance
- Joshua 4:1–3God Commands the Memorial Stones
- Joshua 4:4–7The Purpose of the Stones
- Joshua 4:8–10Obedience and Action
- Joshua 4:11–14The Ark of the Covenant
- Joshua 4:15–18The Priests Come Up from the Jordan
- Joshua 4:19–21Setting Up in Gilgal
- Joshua 4:22–24Teaching Future Generations
Key verse: Joshua 4:21-22
One thing to notice
In vv. 6-7 and vv. 21-22, children will ask about the stones, and parents are instructed to tell the story of God's actions during the crossing. The verses focus on how future generations will inquire about the memorial.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Joshua 4 (WEB)
God Commands the Memorial Stones Joshua 4:1–3
1Verse 1. When all the nation had completely crossed over the Jordan, Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, 2Verse 2. “Take twelve men out of the people, a man out of every tribe, 3Verse 3. and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”
The Purpose of the Stones Joshua 4:4–7
4Verse 4. Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, a man out of every tribe. 5Verse 5. Joshua said to them, “Cross before the ark of Yahweh your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; 6Verse 6. that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in the future, saying, ‘What do you mean by these stones?’ 7Verse 7. then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.’”
Obedience and Action Joshua 4:8–10
8Verse 8. The children of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, as Yahweh spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel. They carried them over with them to the place where they camped, and laid them down there. 9Verse 9. Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day. 10Verse 10. For the priests who bore the ark stood in the middle of the Jordan, until everything was finished that Yahweh commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and passed over.
The Ark of the Covenant Joshua 4:11–14
11Verse 11. When all the people had completely crossed over, Yahweh’s ark crossed over, with the priests, in the presence of the people. 12Verse 12. The children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke to them. 13Verse 13. About forty thousand men, ready and armed for war passed over before Yahweh to battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14Verse 14. On that day, Yahweh magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
The Priests Come Up from the Jordan Joshua 4:15–18
15Verse 15. Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, 16Verse 16. “Command the priests who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.” 17Verse 17. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up out of the Jordan!” 18Verse 18. When the priests who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet had been lifted up to the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before.
Setting Up in Gilgal Joshua 4:19–21
19Verse 19. The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho. 20Verse 20. Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, in Gilgal. 21Verse 21. He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’
Teaching Future Generations Joshua 4:22–24
22Verse 22. Then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 23Verse 23. For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you, until you had crossed over, as Yahweh your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had crossed over; 24Verse 24. that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh’s hand is mighty; that you may fear Yahweh your God forever.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Joshua 4
remembrance
In verses 6-7, Joshua tells the men to take stones from the Jordan to create a memorial. This is specifically so that when future generations ask, 'What do you mean by these stones?' the people can recount how 'the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant.' The chapter moves from the act of gathering the stones to the instructions for teaching future generations, ensuring the memory of God's actions continues.
faithfulness of God
Verses 23-24 recount how Yahweh dried up the waters of the Jordan, paralleling His earlier act with the Red Sea. The chapter insists that this act serves to demonstrate God's faithfulness, as it shows that 'Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you.' This theme concludes with the purpose of making known the might of Yahweh to all nations, affirming His steadfast presence.
community and heritage
In verses 4-7, Joshua commands twelve men to gather stones, one for each tribe of Israel, creating a shared memorial. These stones serve as a communal reminder for future generations to ask about their significance and the events surrounding their placement. This act of establishing a memorial connects the community’s identity to their collective experiences and faithfulness, affirming their identity as Yahweh's people.
God's mighty acts
Verses 22-24 articulate the miraculous nature of Israel's crossing over the Jordan on dry land, recalling Yahweh's past actions in the Exodus. The chapter states that these acts of power are meant to reveal 'that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh’s hand is mighty.' This theme is woven throughout the narrative, culminating in a call to recognize and honor God’s power across generations.
Chapter outline
How Joshua 4 unfolds
Joshua 4:1–3 God Commands the Memorial Stones
Yahweh commands Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, to take twelve stones from the Jordan where the priests stood, and to carry them to their camping place (vv. 1-3).
Joshua 4:4–7 The Purpose of the Stones
Joshua instructs the men to carry the stones as a sign for future generations, explaining their significance when questioned by children (vv. 4-7). This establishes continuity in Israel's history.
Joshua 4:8–10 Obedience and Action
The children of Israel obey Joshua by taking twelve stones from the Jordan, carrying them to their camp, and setting them down there, with Joshua also setting up stones in the Jordan (vv. 8-10).
Joshua 4:11–14 The Ark of the Covenant
Yahweh’s ark, carried by priests, crosses the Jordan as the people complete their crossing, with armed men from Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh going before them, marking Joshua's leadership (vv. 11-14).
Joshua 4:15–18 The Priests Come Up from the Jordan
Yahweh instructs Joshua to tell the priests to come up from the Jordan, and as they do, the waters return to their banks, resuming their normal flow (vv. 15-18).
Joshua 4:19–21 Setting Up in Gilgal
On the tenth day of the first month, the people camp in Gilgal, where Joshua sets up the twelve stones as a memorial (vv. 19-21). This marks the beginning of their new life in the promised land.
Joshua 4:22–24 Teaching Future Generations
Joshua instructs the Israelites to explain the meaning of the stones to their children, linking their crossing of the Jordan to Yahweh's power, paralleling the crossing of the Red Sea (vv. 22-24). This connects generations with divine acts.
Key verses
Joshua 4:21-22Joshua speaks to the children of Israel, instructing them to pass on the story of crossing the Jordan on dry land, ensuring future generations remember Yahweh's power.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Joshua 4
- observeIn v3, why does Joshua command the men to take 'twelve stones'?
- observeWhat do the priests do in vv. 10-11 before leaving the Jordan?
- interpretThe instruction in v7 about the memorial: how does it connect to the future generations?
- interpretIn v23, why does the author compare the Jordan crossing to the crossing of the Red Sea?
- applyWhen have you set up a reminder for a significant event, like the stones in v20?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Joshua 4
- Joshua 3Joshua 4:14 and Joshua 3:7Both magnify Joshua: Joshua 4:14 states Yahweh magnified Joshua in Israel, while Joshua 3:7 notes Yahweh will magnify Joshua.
- Deuteronomy 4Joshua 4:6 and Deuteronomy 4:9Both teach remembrance: Joshua 4:6 asks what the stones mean, while Deuteronomy 4:9 warns not to forget what was seen.
- 1 Samuel 7Joshua 4:9 and 1 Samuel 7:12Both set up stones: Joshua 4:9 describes stones set in the Jordan, while 1 Samuel 7:12 recounts Samuel setting a stone called Ebenezer.
- Exodus 14Joshua 4:23 and Exodus 14:21Both describe God parting waters: Joshua 4:23 recounts drying up the Jordan, while Exodus 14:21 details the sea being divided.
- Exodus 12Joshua 4:7 and Exodus 12:14Both establish memorials: Joshua 4:7 indicates stones as a memorial, while Exodus 12:14 speaks of a memorial feast.
- 1 Kings 8Joshua 4:24 and 1 Kings 8:42Both affirm God's might: Joshua 4:24 states Yahweh’s hand is mighty, while 1 Kings 8:42 notes hearing of His mighty hand.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Joshua 4
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Joshua: the whole bookJoshua narrates the moment promise becomes geography.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 72Day 72 of 365: Joshua 3–6.
- StrengthWhat the Bible says about strength, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Joshua 4: frequently asked questions
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