What does Joshua 3:13 mean?

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. Joshua 3:13

Explanation

Joshua 3:13 recounts a miraculous event in which the Israelites, led by Joshua, are about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The verse stipulates that when the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the waters of the Jordan, the river flow will cease, and the waters will pile up to allow the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The literal meaning is straightforward: the waters will miraculously stop flowing. On a deeper level, this event symbolizes divine intervention and the fulfillment of God’s promises. It acts as a testament to the Israelites that God is with them and that their faith and obedience will be rewarded.

Historical Context

The historical context of Joshua 3:13 dates back to the period of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses, and their subsequent wanderings in the desert. Joshua took over leadership after the death of Moses as they approached Canaan, the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. The crossing of the Jordan River represents a transitional moment, marking the end of the Israelites’ wandering and the beginning of the conquest of Canaan.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse reinforces the notion of God’s sovereignty and His active role in guiding and providing for His chosen people. For Christians, it can be seen as prefiguring baptism, symbolizing a passage from the old life to a new life in Christ. In Jewish thought, the ark symbolizes God’s presence and the event serves as a reminder of God’s power and faithfulness.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can inspire individuals to trust in higher power during times of transition or challenge. It suggests that steadfast faith can lead to providential outcomes, even when obstacles seem insurmountable. The verse encourages believers to follow their spiritual leaders and to participate actively and obediently in communal acts of faith.

Cross-References

• Joshua 4:23: “For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:”
• Exodus 14:21-22: “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”

Language Study

The key Hebrew words in this verse are:

• “Kohen” (priests): Reflects a role of religious significance and often mediatorship between God and people.
• “Aron” (ark): Denotes a chest or a box that carries something sacred, in this case, the Ark of the Covenant.
• “Yarden” (Jordan): The river’s name, literally meaning “descender” as it flows down to the Dead Sea.
• “Yikaretu” (shall be cut off): To cut, divide, or sever, emphasizing the decisive action of the waters.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The stopping of the Jordan recalls similar divine interventions in other religious texts, such as the parting of the Red Sea in the Book of Exodus. In other ancient cultures, crossing rivers often symbolized transitions and were marked by religious rituals. For instance, in Mesopotamian mythology, river crossings are sometimes associated with encounters with deities or signify important narrative shifts.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, natural explanations for the stopping of rivers include phenomena such as landslides which can create temporary natural dams. However, such events are typically considered to be coincidental, and the timing of the event as described in Joshua would imply a supernatural intervention.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have offered various perspectives on Joshua 3:13. Some view it as a literal historical event demonstrating God’s power and reliability. Others interpret the passage metaphorically, emphasizing the spiritual truths it communicates over the physical details. Still, other commentators consider the miracle as a tool to enhance the leadership of Joshua and to unify the people under a shared divine experience. Despite these different viewpoints, there is consensus that the event is central to the identity of the Israelites as a people chosen and led by God.