Joshua 3:12
Joshua 3:12 in Multiple Translations
Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.
So take twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, a man from every tribe.
Choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one per tribe.
Nowe therefore take from among you twelue men out of the tribes of Israel, out of euery tribe a man.
and now, take for you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, one man — one man for a tribe;
Now therefore take twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
Prepare ye twelve men of the tribes of Israel, one of every tribe.
So choose twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, and I will tell you later what I want them to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 3:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 3:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַתָּ֗ה
קְח֤וּ
לָ/כֶם֙
שְׁנֵ֣י
עָשָׂ֣ר
אִ֔ישׁ
מִ/שִּׁבְטֵ֖י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
אִישׁ
אֶחָ֥ד
אִישׁ
אֶחָ֖ד
לַ/שָּֽׁבֶט
וְ/עַתָּ֗ה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
קְח֤וּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לָ/כֶם֙
Prep | Suff
שְׁנֵ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
עָשָׂ֣ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
אִ֔ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
מִ/שִּׁבְטֵ֖י
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
Prep | N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶחָ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶחָ֖ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
לַ/שָּֽׁבֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 3:12
וְ/עַתָּ֗ה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
קְח֤וּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
לָ/כֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
שְׁנֵ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
עָשָׂ֣ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
אִ֔ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מִ/שִּׁבְטֵ֖י
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
Prep | N-mp
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶחָ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶחָ֖ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
לַ/שָּֽׁבֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
Study Notes — Joshua 3:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 3:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 3:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 3:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
- Sermons on Joshua 3:12
Context — Crossing the Jordan
10He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.
11Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go ahead of you into the Jordan.
12Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
13When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.” 14So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 4:2 | “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, |
| 2 | Joshua 4:9 | Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day. |
| 3 | Joshua 4:4 | So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, |
Joshua 3:12 Summary
[In Joshua 3:12, God tells Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, to get ready to cross the Jordan River. This shows that God wants all His people to be involved and represented as they follow Him. Just like the Israelites, we can trust God to lead us and provide for us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 32:8. By following God's instructions, we can demonstrate our faith and trust in Him, just as the Israelites did when they obeyed God's command to cross the Jordan River.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God instruct Joshua to choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel in Joshua 3:12?
God instructed Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, to represent the unity and completeness of the nation of Israel as they prepared to cross the Jordan River, symbolizing their faith and trust in Him, as seen in Exodus 28:21 where the twelve tribes are represented on the breastplate of the high priest.
What is the significance of choosing one man from each tribe in Joshua 3:12?
Choosing one man from each tribe emphasizes the equal representation and participation of all the tribes of Israel in the covenant with God, as stated in Leviticus 24:11, and signifies their collective commitment to follow God's instructions.
How does this event in Joshua 3:12 relate to the larger story of the Israelites' journey?
The selection of the twelve men in Joshua 3:12 is a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey, as it prepares them to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:7 and setting the stage for their conquest of Canaan.
What can we learn from the Israelites' obedience to God's instructions in Joshua 3:12?
The Israelites' obedience to God's instructions in Joshua 3:12 demonstrates their trust and faith in Him, and serves as an example for us to follow God's commands, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 13:4 and Matthew 22:37-40, and to trust in His sovereignty and provision.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's desire for unity and representation among His people?
- How can I apply the principle of equal representation and participation in my own community or church?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my trust and faith in God, just as the Israelites did in Joshua 3:12?
- How does the selection of the twelve men in this verse relate to the concept of spiritual leadership and representation in the church today?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 3:12
Now therefore take ye twelve men,.... For what end and purpose is not mentioned.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 3:12
And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites,
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
Take you twelve men, for the work described, ,3.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
Joshua 3:12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.Ver. 12. Now therefore take you twelve men,] i.e., Now make choice of them for that service afterwards to be performed. Potior est testis oculatus unus quam auriti decem. Plaut.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
(12) Take you twelve men.—These were selected beforehand and kept in readiness, that there might be no delay in the work which they had to do (Joshua 4:3).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
Verse 12. Take you twelve men] See Clarke on Joshua 4:2.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 3:12
12. [Now therefore take you twelve men — Emphasis is put on now. The election of these twelve men is to take place immediately, not after they cross the Jordan.
Sermons on Joshua 3:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Truths From Israel's History, Part 2 - Gilgal by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on four stories from the Bible: the crossing of the Jordan River, the setting up of the base camp at Gilgal, the taking of Jericho, and the defe |
|
On Eagles' Wings Pt 505 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering God's wonderful works through memorials. He uses the example of the rainbow as a memorial of God's covenant wi |