What does Joshua 3:16 mean?

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. Joshua 3:16

Explanation

This verse from Joshua 3:16 describes a miraculous event that occurred as the Israelites, led by Joshua, were entering the Promised Land. According to the text, the waters of the River Jordan ceased to flow, piling up in a heap far upstream from the city of Adam beside Zaretan, while the waters flowing downstream toward the Dead Sea were cut off. This allowed the Israelites to cross the river on dry ground, facing the city of Jericho. The stopping of the river’s flow is presented as a divine intervention, echoing the crossing of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egypt. The “salt sea” mentioned in the verse is what is commonly known as the Dead Sea today.

Historical Context

This event takes place during the period of Israelite history known as the Conquest of Canaan, which followed the Israelites’ 40-year sojourn in the desert after their Exodus from Egypt. The city of Adam mentioned in the verse is not a well-known location in today’s archaeological or historical records, and Zaretan is thought to be the same as Tell es-Saidiyeh. This account is meant to affirm Joshua’s leadership and the Israelites’ divine right to the land they were entering.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse demonstrates God’s continued support for the Israelites since their Exodus from Egypt. The parting of the Jordan River is reminiscent of parting the Red Sea, serving to establish Joshua as Moses’ legitimate successor. It also signifies a baptismal or purification event for the nation as they prepare to take possession of the Promised Land, symbolizing a transition from their old life into a new covenantal experience.

Practical Applications

The key practical application derived from this verse is the importance of faith in adversarial situations. The Israelites faced an obstacle in the Jordan River, yet believed in God’s promise and followed Joshua’s leadership. This story encourages believers to trust in divine guidance even when faced with seemingly insurmountable problems.

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.”
• Psalm 114:3: “The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.”

Language Study

The Hebrew word translated as “heap” (נֵד, ned) indicates a mound or pile, suggesting a significant and visible interruption in the water’s flow. “Adam” (אָדָם, ‘adam) is the name of a city here, not to be confused with the first man in Genesis. “Zaretan” (צָרְתָן, Tsarethan) is also a location name, whose exact identification is uncertain but is generally agreed to be close to the Jordan River. These specific place references lend historical and geographic specificity to the narrative.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Miraculous control over water is a motif found in various cultures and religions. In Mesopotamian mythology, gods like Enki/Ea have dominion over water. In Ancient Egypt, the Nile’s inundation and retreat played a significant religious role. These cultural parallels, however, do not diminish the uniqueness of Israel’s identity and experience as depicted in their own narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific point of view, the cessation of river flow as described might invite natural explanations such as a landslide or an earthquake temporarily blocking the river’s course upstream. Such natural events have been documented to occasionally occur in history, though the biblical text attributes the event to divine intervention.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse focus on its role in establishing Joshua’s authority and reinforcing the Israelites’ faith. They examine the details as a fulfillment of God’s promise and a demonstration of His power. Some may speculate on the historical accuracy of the location names and whether natural phenomena could have played a role in the event. Most agree that the central theme is the continuity of God’s actions from the time of Moses to Joshua.