Joshua 4:6 web — that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do you mean by these ston…

World English Bible

"that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do you mean by these stones?'"

— Joshua 4:6, World English Bible

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Joshua 4:6 in Other Translations

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Joshua 4 — Context

3

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, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place, where you will lodge tonight.'"

4

Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

5

Joshua said to them, "Pass over before the ark of Yahweh your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel;

6

that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do you mean by these stones?'

7

then you shall tell them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.'"

8

The children of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, as Yahweh spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; and they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

9

Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

Joshua 4:6 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Joshua 4:6 say?
Joshua 4:6 in the World English Bible reads: “that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do you mean by these stones?'”
Where is Joshua 4:6 in the Bible?
Joshua 4:6 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Joshua, chapter 4, verse 6.
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 4:6.
What translation should I read Joshua 4:6 in?
Joshua 4:6 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 4:6?
Joshua 4:6 reads (WEB): “that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do you mean by 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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