What is the meaning of the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River?

The twelve stones taken from the middle of the Jordan were a sign and a reminder. One man from each tribe carried a stone on his shoulder to the camp. The stones showed that all twelve tribes crossed together under God’s care. They were set up so that when children later asked, “What do these stones mean?” parents could tell how God stopped the Jordan and brought Israel over on dry land. The stones were a simple, lasting way to remember God’s power and faithfulness.

Why did God tell Joshua to set up a memorial at Gilgal?

God told Joshua to set up the stones at Gilgal so His people would not forget what He had done. The river had stopped when the ark went into the Jordan and stayed dry until everyone crossed. Once the priests stepped out, the water returned. The stones at Gilgal came from that dry riverbed. Every time people saw them, they were meant to remember that God brought Israel into the land, just as He had brought them through the sea before, and to pass that story on to their children.

What does this passage show about Joshua’s leadership?

This passage shows that Joshua listened to God and did exactly what he was told. He chose twelve men, instructed them clearly, and made sure the people and the priests obeyed every step. After the crossing, God made Joshua great in the eyes of all Israel, so they respected him as they had respected Moses. His leadership is marked by careful obedience, courage, and trust in God’s word, and God confirms him publicly by carrying out this mighty work under his direction.

Why did the priests have to stand in the middle of the Jordan with the ark?

The priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed holding the ark until everything God commanded was finished and all the people had crossed. The ark was the sign of God’s presence with His people. By standing there, the priests showed that God Himself was holding back the water and making the way safe. They did not move until God told Joshua to call them out. Their steady obedience and patience in that place showed faith in God’s word and care for the whole nation.

What is the link between the Jordan crossing and the Red Sea?

At the end of the passage, Joshua reminds the people that God dried up the Jordan in the same way He dried up the sea long before. Both events show God’s power over water and His faithfulness to bring His people where He promised. The sea marked their coming out of slavery, and the Jordan marks their entering into the land. Remembering both events together helps Israel see that the same God who rescued them at the start is still with them and will keep His word.

Why were the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh mentioned as going before Israel?

These tribes had chosen land on the east side of the Jordan, but they had promised to help their brothers take the land on the west side. In this passage, about forty thousand armed men from these tribes cross over ahead of the others, ready for battle. This shows they kept their word and stayed joined with the rest of Israel in God’s work. Their action reminds us that God’s people share one story and one calling, even when they live in different places.

What does this passage teach about how to talk to children about faith?

The passage shows that God expects parents to explain His works to their children. The stones were set up on purpose so that children would ask, “What mean these stones?” When they did, parents were to tell them how God dried up the Jordan and brought Israel across, just as He had done at the sea. This teaches that faith is passed on by telling real stories of what God has done, so that the next generation learns to trust and fear Him too.

Why did the waters of the Jordan return only after the priests came out?

The river stopped flowing when the priests carrying the ark stepped into it, and it stayed that way the whole time they stood in the middle. Only when their feet came up onto dry ground on the other side did the waters return to their place and overflow the banks again. This timing shows that God was in full control of the river. It was not a natural event but His direct act, starting and stopping exactly when He chose, so that everyone would know His hand is mighty.

What does this story teach about God’s character and power?

This story shows that God keeps His promises and rules over creation. He dries up a river at flood time so His people can cross on dry ground. He leads them by His presence with the ark, cares for every tribe, and finishes what He starts, since all the people pass over safely. The memorial stones and Joshua’s words at Gilgal say that God wants all the earth to know His hand is mighty and that His own people should fear and honor Him forever.

Josh.4.1

Joshua 4:1

KJV

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,

Twelve Stones from the Jordan

1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,

2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

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

5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:

6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

10 ¶ For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:

13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.

14 ¶ On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

15 And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,

16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.

17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.

18 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.

The Camp at Gilgal

19 ¶ And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.

21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

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:

24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.