Joshua 4:5 net — Joshua told them,“Go in front of the ark of the LORD your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a ston…

NET Bible

"Joshua told them,“Go in front of the ark of the LORD your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes."

— Joshua 4:5, NET Bible

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Joshua 4:5 in Other Translations

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Joshua 4 — Context

2

“Select for yourselves twelve men from the people, one per tribe.

3

Instruct them,‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over with you and put them in the place where you camp tonight.’”

4

Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one per tribe.

5

Joshua told them,“Go in front of the ark of the LORD your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes.

6

The stones will be a reminder to you. When your children ask someday,‘Why are these stones important to you?’

7

tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites.”

8

The Israelites did just as Joshua commanded. They picked up twelve stones, according to the number of the Israelite tribes, from the middle of the Jordan as the LORD had instructed Joshua. They carried them over with them to the camp and put them there.

Joshua 4:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Joshua 4:5 say?
Joshua 4:5 in the NET Bible reads: “Joshua told them,“Go in front of the ark of the LORD your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes.”
Where is Joshua 4:5 in the Bible?
Joshua 4:5 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Joshua, chapter 4, verse 5.
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 4:5.
What translation should I read Joshua 4:5 in?
Joshua 4:5 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 4:5?
Joshua 4:5 reads (NET): “Joshua told them,“Go in front of the ark of the LORD your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes.” 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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