Joshua 4:3

Verse

and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’”

American Standard Version (1901)

and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst 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 lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night.

Bible in Basic English

And say to them, Take up from the middle of Jordan, from the place where the feet of the priests were resting, twelve stones, and take them over with you and put them down in the place where you take your rest tonight.

Free Bible Version

and tell them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing. Then carry them and set them down at the place where you will camp tonight.’”

Geneva Bible 1599

And command you them, saying, Take you hence out of the middes of Iorden, out of the place where the Priestes stoode in a readinesse, twelue stones, which ye shall take away with you, and leaue them in the lodging where you shall lodge this night)

King James (Authorized) Version

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

Translation for Translators

Tell them to carry the stones with you and put them down at the place where you will stay tonight.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Give them this command: 'Take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing on the dry ground, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you will spend the night tonight.'”

Noah Webster Bible

And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging-place where ye shall lodge this night.

World English Bible

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, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”

Young's Literal Translation

and command ye them, saying, Take up for you from this [place], from the midst of the Jordan, from the established standing-place of the feet of the priests, twelve stones, and ye have removed them over with you, and placed them in the lodging-place in which ye lodge to-night.'

Context

Twelve Stones from the Jordan

²“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,³and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’”

Summary

In Joshua 4:3, God instructs the Israelites to take twelve stones from the Jordan River as a memorial of the miraculous crossing. These stones were to serve as a reminder for future generations of God's faithfulness and mighty deeds. The act of setting up the stones was a tangible way for the Israelites to remember and recount the story of how God had led them through the waters on dry ground. It symbolized the importance of passing down stories of God's faithfulness to teach and inspire faith in future generations.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Where ye shall lodge this night - This was in the place that was afterwards called Gilgal. See Jos 4:19.