Joshua 4:21

Verse

Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’

American Standard Version (1901)

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

Bible in Basic English

And he said to the children of Israel, When your children say to their fathers in time to come, What is the reason for these stones?

Free Bible Version

He told the Israelites, “When some day your children ask you their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Geneva Bible 1599

And he spake vnto ye childre of Israel, saying, When your children shall aske their fathers in time to come, and say, What meane these stones?

King James (Authorized) Version

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

Translation for Translators

Joshua said to the Israeli people, “In the future, when your children and grandchildren ask, ‘◄What do these stones mean/Why are these stones here►?’,

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to the people of Israel, “When your descendants ask their fathers in times to come, 'What are these stones?'

Noah Webster Bible

And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

World English Bible

He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Young's Literal Translation

And he speaketh unto the sons of Israel, saying, 'When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What [are] these stones?

Context

The Camp at Gilgal

²⁰And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan.²¹Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’²²you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

Summary

In Joshua 4:21, the Israelites are commanded to set up twelve stones as a memorial at the Jordan River to serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the miraculous crossing of the river. This act symbolizes the importance of remembering God's mighty works in our lives and passing down stories of His faithfulness to future generations. The stones also signify the covenant relationship between God and His people, highlighting the significance of honoring and commemorating God's faithfulness in our journey of faith.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he spoke unto the children of Israel, saying,.... At the same time he set up the stones: when you children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? See Gill on Jos 4:6.

Joshua 4:21

The Camp at Gilgal

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’

American Standard Version (1901)

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

Bible in Basic English

And he said to the children of Israel, When your children say to their fathers in time to come, What is the reason for these stones?

Free Bible Version

He told the Israelites, “When some day your children ask you their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Geneva Bible 1599

And he spake vnto ye childre of Israel, saying, When your children shall aske their fathers in time to come, and say, What meane these stones?

King James (Authorized) Version

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

Translation for Translators

Joshua said to the Israeli people, “In the future, when your children and grandchildren ask, ‘◄What do these stones mean/Why are these stones here►?’,

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to the people of Israel, “When your descendants ask their fathers in times to come, 'What are these stones?'

Noah Webster Bible

And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

World English Bible

He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Young's Literal Translation

And he speaketh unto the sons of Israel, saying, 'When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What [are] these stones?