What does Joshua 3:15 mean?

And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) Joshua 3:15

Explanation

Joshua 3:15 describes a significant moment in the history of the Israelites: the crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The verse indicates that, as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the waters of the Jordan River, the river was at flood stage, overflowing its banks. The mention of the priests’ feet dipping into the brim of the water suggests the beginning of a miraculous event, as the waters would soon part to allow the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The reference to the Jordan overflowing “all his banks all the time of harvest” provides a detail that emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the subsequent miracle—crossing a river at its fullest would naturally be more difficult, making the divine intervention more pronounced.

Historical Context

This event takes place after the death of Moses and under the leadership of Joshua, the newly appointed leader of the Israelites. The crossing of the Jordan River signifies the entry of the Israelites into Canaan, which had been promised to them by God. The timing during the harvest season typically correlates with the late spring when the snowmelt from the mountains would cause the river to overflow. Given that rivers in the region swell dramatically during the harvest season, the Israelites faced an apparently insurmountable obstacle, setting the stage for a miracle to demonstrate God’s power and his faithfulness to his covenant.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse illustrates God’s sovereignty and guidance in fulfilling his promises. The Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s presence, goes ahead of the people, and it is God who halts the waters of the Jordan, paralleling the parting of the Red Sea as described in Exodus. The miracle serves as a reassurance to the Israelites of divine presence and approval. In Christian theology, this event is sometimes seen as a type or foreshadowing of baptism, representing a passage through water into a new life, a theme emphasized in the New Testament.

Practical Applications

The crossing of the Jordan River can be understood metaphorically as facing seemingly insurmountable challenges in life. The practical application of Joshua 3:15 may involve trusting in divine guidance during difficult times. It suggests that faith can lead to divine intervention in moments of great need and encourages believers to follow God’s lead, even when obstacles appear overwhelming or the timing seems inauspicious.

Cross-References

• Joshua 3:16-17: “That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.”
• 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.”
• Joshua 4:18-19: “And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.”

Language Study

The key words in this verse include “ark,” “Jordan,” “feet,” “priests,” “brim,” and “overfloweth.” The Hebrew word for ark, “aron,” was regarded as a holy chest containing the tablets of the covenant. “Jordan” is “Yarden” in Hebrew, meaning “descender,” which is fitting for a river that flows from the mountains down to the Dead Sea. The “feet” (“raglayim”) of the “priests” (“kohanim”) are mentioned to express the action that triggered the miracle. The word “brim” translates to “qatzeh,” which refers specifically to the edge or extremity of something, in this case, the water’s edge. “Overfloweth” is from the Hebrew word “shataph,” which means to overflow or inundate, describing the river’s state during flood stage.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparative mythology, elements of divine intervention and water crossings appear in various traditions. Ancient stories often include themes of heroes or gods making way through impassable waters, symbolizing transitions, purification, or the divine bringing order to chaos. The miraculous crossing of the Jordan holds significance for Judaism and Christianity, much like how other ancient cultures viewed similar miraculous events as affirmations of divine support or the intervention of their gods.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific view, the description of the Jordan River overflowing its banks could be a natural seasonal occurrence due to snowmelt and rain. Some scholars have speculated about whether a natural event, such as an earthquake, could have caused a temporary damming of the river’s flow, thus allowing the Israelites to cross. However, within the biblical text, the event is not ascribed to natural causes but is presented as a direct act of God.

Commentaries

Some biblical scholars affirm the historicity of the event, emphasizing its significance in Israel’s national history, while others may view it as a theological narrative that illustrates God’s power and provision. Matthew Henry’s Commentary, for example, focuses on the obedience of the priests and the manifestation of God’s power in allowing the Israelites to pass. Similarly, other commentaries might draw parallels between this miraculous event and other instances of divine intervention in the Bible, pointing to a consistent theme of God making a way for his people.