Joshua 4:21 nasb — He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?'

NASB

"He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?'"

— Joshua 4:21, NASB

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Joshua 4:21 in Other Translations

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Joshua 4 — Context

18

It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before.

19

Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho.

20

Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.

21

He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?'

22

then you shall inform your children, saying, 'Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.'

23

"For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the LORD your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed;

24

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

Joshua 4:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Joshua 4:21 say?
Joshua 4:21 in the NASB reads: “He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?'”
Where is Joshua 4:21 in the Bible?
Joshua 4:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Joshua, chapter 4, verse 21.
Who wrote Joshua?
Joshua is traditionally attributed to Joshua (traditional). Traditionally written by Joshua with later additions noting his death and burial. It was written c. 1405–1380 BC.
What is the book of Joshua about?
Joshua is the account of Israel's entry into Canaan under Moses' successor — the crossing of the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, the conquest of the land, and its division among the twelve tribes. It is a record of God's faithfulness to his covenant promise to Abraham.
What are the major themes of Joshua?
Joshua explores themes including Conquest, Faithfulness, Inheritance, Courage, Holy War. These themes shape the meaning and context of Joshua 4:21.
What translation should I read Joshua 4:21 in?
Joshua 4:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Joshua 4:21?
Joshua 4:21 reads (NASB): “He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?'” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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