Joshua 3:14
Joshua 3:14 in Multiple Translations
So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them.
¶ And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over the Jordan, the priests that bare the ark of the covenant being before the people;
So when the people went out from their tents to go over Jordan, the priests who took up the ark of the agreement were in front of the people;
So the people broke camp and set out to cross the Jordan, with the priests carrying the Ark ahead of them.
Then when the people were departed from their tentes to goe ouer Iorden, the Priestes bearing the Arke of the Couenant, went before people.
And it cometh to pass, in the journeying of the people from their tents to pass over the Jordan, and of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,
When the people moved from their tents to pass over the Jordan, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant being before the people,
And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
So the people went out of their tents, to pass over the Jordan: and the priests that carried the ark of the covenant. went on before them.
So when the Israeli people packed up their tents in order to cross the river, the priests who were carrying the chest containing the Ten Commandments went in front of them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 3:14
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 3:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֗י
בִּ/נְסֹ֤עַ
הָ/עָם֙
מֵ/אָ֣הֳלֵי/הֶ֔ם
לַ/עֲבֹ֖ר
אֶת
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֑ן
וְ/הַ/כֹּהֲנִ֗ים
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֛י
הָ/אָר֥וֹן
הַ/בְּרִ֖ית
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
הָ/עָֽם
וַ/יְהִ֗י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בִּ/נְסֹ֤עַ
nâçaʻ
H5265
to set out
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הָ/עָם֙
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
מֵ/אָ֣הֳלֵי/הֶ֔ם
ʼôhel
H168
tent
Prep | N-mp | Suff
לַ/עֲבֹ֖ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֑ן
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper
וְ/הַ/כֹּהֲנִ֗ים
kôhên
H3548
priest
Conj | Art | N-mp
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֛י
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal
הָ/אָר֥וֹן
ʼârôwn
H727
ark
Art | N-cs
הַ/בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
Art | N-fs
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
הָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 3:14
וַ/יְהִ֗י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בִּ/נְסֹ֤עַ
nâçaʻ
H5265
"to set out"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this word means to set out or start a journey, like the Israelites departing from Egypt, or to remove something, as in pulling up tent pins.
Definition: 1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull out or up 1a2) to set out, depart 1a3) to journey, march 1a4) to set forth (of wind) 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up 1c2) to remove, quarry
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. See also: Genesis 11:2; Numbers 33:9; Psalms 78:26.
הָ/עָם֙
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
מֵ/אָ֣הֳלֵי/הֶ֔ם
ʼôhel
H168
"tent"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
לַ/עֲבֹ֖ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֑ן
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
וְ/הַ/כֹּהֲנִ֗ים
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Conj | Art | N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֛י
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
הָ/אָר֥וֹן
ʼârôwn
H727
"ark"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.
Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.
הַ/בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
Art | N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Joshua 3:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Crossing 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.
15Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 7:44–45 | Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David, |
| 2 | Joshua 6:6 | So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the LORD.” |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 1:24–25 | but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. |
| 4 | Psalms 132:8 | Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 3:16 | “In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made. |
| 6 | Joshua 3:6 | And he said to the priests, “Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 31:26 | “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. |
| 8 | Joshua 3:3 | and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it. |
| 9 | Hebrews 9:4 | containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. |
Joshua 3:14 Summary
In Joshua 3:14, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of the people as they prepared to cross the Jordan River. This was a significant event because it showed that God was leading the people and would provide a way for them to cross the river, just as He had promised in Joshua 1:3-4. As we read this verse, we can remember that God is always with us, leading and guiding us, even when we face challenges or uncertainties (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:2). By trusting in God's presence and power, we can move forward in faith and obedience, just like the Israelites did as they crossed the Jordan River.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of the people?
The priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of the people symbolized God's presence and leadership, as seen in Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 10:33-36, where the ark was a symbol of God's throne and the priests were responsible for its care.
Why did the people need to break camp to cross the Jordan?
The people needed to break camp to cross the Jordan because they were moving from one place to another, and the Jordan River was a natural boundary that needed to be crossed, much like the Israelites had to cross the Red Sea in Exodus 14:13-31.
What can we learn from the priests' obedience in carrying the ark ahead of the people?
We can learn from the priests' obedience that following God's instructions, even when they seem difficult or uncertain, is crucial for experiencing His presence and power, as seen in Joshua 1:7-8 and Psalm 119:105.
How does this event relate to the larger story of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan?
This event is a pivotal moment in the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, as it marks the beginning of their entry into the Promised Land, which was promised to them in Genesis 12:7 and reiterated in Deuteronomy 1:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's presence and leadership, just as the Israelites trusted God to lead them across the Jordan?
- How can I, like the priests, demonstrate obedience to God's instructions, even when they seem challenging or unclear?
- What are some 'rivers' in my life that I need to cross, and how can I trust God to provide a way for me to overcome them?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, experience God's power and presence as I move forward in faith and obedience?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 3:14
And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents to pass over Jordan,.... Which they had pitched very near it, upon their removal from Shittim, and in which they had lodged the night
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 3:14
And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And it came to pass ... To understand the scene
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 3:14
Joshua 3:14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;Ver. 14. And it came to pass.] In Joshua 3:13 it was, "And it shall come to pass." "The word of God cannot be broken"; all must be fulfilled that is foretold.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 3:14
14–17. Jordan turned backwards 14. when the people removed] i.e. on the 10th day of Abib or Nisan, the same month they before witnessed the departure from Egypt, corresponding to our April or May.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 3:14
14. And the priests bearing the ark — The word priests is the grammatical subject of the implied verb, were.
Sermons on Joshua 3:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Prep Time Is Never Wasted Time by Michael Catt | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preparation in the Christian journey. He highlights the idea that how we practice is how we perform, and that a message is |
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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 |
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Becoming a House for God by Robert B. Thompson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the difficulty of forgiving someone who has done something unjust or perverse. He compares this challenge to learning a new concept in school |
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Religious People, Stiff Necked and Angry by Shane Idleman | This sermon addresses the issue of religious people being stiff-necked and angry, emphasizing the difference between religion and relationship with God. It highlights the need to s |
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Religious People - Stiff-Necked & Angry by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the dangers of being religious without a true relationship with Christ, emphasizing that many religious individuals are often stiff-necked and angry. He dra |
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The Testimony of Jesus Christ (Pt. 2) by Allan Halton | Allan Halton delves into the captivating phrase 'the testimony of Jesus Christ,' exploring its significance in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Covenant, the testimony w |
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Battle for the Bible by Tim LaHaye | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the influence of humanism in society and how it has taken control of various aspects of our lives. He highlights the dominance of humanistic p |