Joshua 4

When all the nation had completely crossed over the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,

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

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, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”

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

Joshua said to them, “Cross before the ark of the LORD 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;

that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in the future, saying, ‘What do you mean by these stones?’

then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the LORD’s covenant. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.’”

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

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.

For the priests who bore the ark stood in the middle of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and passed over.

When all the people had completely crossed over, the LORD’s ark crossed over with the priests in the presence of the people.

The children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke to them.

About forty thousand men, ready and armed for war, passed over before the LORD to battle, to the plains of Jericho.

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.

The LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,

“Command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, that they come up out of the Jordan.”

Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up out of the Jordan!”

When the priests who bore the ark of the LORD’s covenant had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet had been lifted up to the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before.

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

Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, in Gilgal.

He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’

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

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had crossed over,

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD’s hand is mighty, and that you may fear the LORD your God forever.’”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter records the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land and the divine command to establish a memorial of twelve stones at Gilgal. It highlights God’s power in halting the Jordan’s flow, the faithful obedience of Joshua and the people, and the institution of a lasting testimony to God’s mighty works, ensuring future generations would remember His deliverance.

Flow.

The LORD commands Joshua to have one man from each tribe take a stone from the Jordan’s bed as a memorial.
The twelve men retrieve stones from where the priests stood with the ark, carry them across, and set them up at Gilgal.
Joshua also sets twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan as a hidden witness, while the priests remain in the dry riverbed until all the people pass over.
After the crossing is complete, the waters return; the people camp at Gilgal, where Joshua reiterates the stones’ significance for instruction and worship.

Connections.
Following chapter 3, which narrates the miraculous parting of the Jordan and the priestly bearing of the ark, this chapter completes the transition into Canaan by grounding the event in covenant memory. The memorial at Gilgal becomes a teaching landmark that preserves the meaning of God’s faithfulness, which chapter 5 takes up by detailing the renewal of circumcision and Passover—acts of covenant identity now enacted in the land. The stones point forward to the worship and obedience required of Israel as they begin conquest under divine promise.

What it teaches.
The chapter emphasizes that God’s mighty acts are not transient events but foundational for ongoing covenant life. The stones serve as a means of transmitting faith across generations, pointing to God’s power in preserving His people, just as He did at the Red Sea (WCF 5.7, HC LD 10). The crossing on dry ground displays God’s sovereignty over creation and His faithfulness to promises made to Abraham (HC LD 9; BC art. 26). By magnifying Joshua as He did Moses (WCF 7.6), God confirms His continued presence with Israel, ensuring that His hand remains “mighty” for salvation and judgment (WCF 3.7, LC 191).

Apply.
The stones at Gilgal direct attention to God’s works as the foundation for identity and instruction in the covenant community.

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