Joshua 4:3

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Instruct them,‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over with you and put them in the place where you camp tonight.’”

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Josh 4:19-20 : 19 The people went up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month and camped in Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 Now Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan.
  • Josh 3:13 : 13 When the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the LORD, the Lord of the whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan, the water coming downstream toward you will stop flowing and pile up.”
  • Josh 4:8 : 8 The Israelites did just as Joshua commanded. They picked up twelve stones, according to the number of the Israelite tribes, from the middle of the Jordan as the LORD had instructed Joshua. They carried them over with them to the camp and put them there.
  • Gen 28:22 : 22 Then this stone that I have set up as a sacred stone will be the house of God, and I will surely give you back a tenth of everything you give me.”
  • Deut 27:1-9 : 1 The Assembly at Shechem Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people:“Pay attention to all the commandments I am giving you today. 2 When you cross the Jordan River to the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must erect great stones and cover them with plaster. 3 Then you must inscribe on them all the words of this law when you cross over, so that you may enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, said to you. 4 So when you cross the Jordan you must erect on Mount Ebal these stones about which I am commanding you today, and you must cover them with plaster. 5 Then you must build an altar there to the LORD your God, an altar of stones– do not use an iron tool on them. 6 You must build the altar of the LORD your God with whole stones and offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God. 7 Also you must offer fellowship offerings and eat them there, rejoicing before the LORD your God. 8 You must inscribe on the stones all the words of this law, making them clear.” 9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel:“Be quiet and pay attention, Israel. Today you have become the people of the LORD your God. 10 You must obey him and keep his commandments and statutes that I am giving you today.” 11 Moreover, Moses commanded the people that day: 12 “The following tribes must stand to bless the people on Mount Gerizim when you cross the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these other tribes must stand for the curse on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 The Covenant Curses“The Levites will call out to every Israelite with a loud voice: 15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or metal image– something abhorrent to the LORD, the work of the craftsman– and sets it up in a secret place.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 16 ‘Cursed is the one who disrespects his father and mother.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 18 ‘Cursed is the one who misleads a blind person on the road.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts justice for the resident foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 20 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his father’s former wife, for he dishonors his father.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 21 ‘Cursed is the one who commits bestiality.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 22 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his sister, the daughter of either his father or mother.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 23 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his mother-in-law.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 24 ‘Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in private.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’ 26 ‘Cursed is the one who refuses to keep the words of this law.’ Then all the people will say,‘Amen!’
  • Josh 24:27 : 27 Joshua said to all the people,“Look, this stone will be a witness against us, for it has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness against you if you deny your God.”
  • 1 Sam 7:12 : 12 Samuel took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying,“Up to here the LORD has helped us.”
  • Ps 11:4 : 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his eyes examine all people.
  • Ps 103:2 : 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul! Do not forget all his kind deeds!
  • Luke 19:40 : 40 He answered,“I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Josh 4:4-11
    8 verses
    88%

    4Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one per tribe.

    5Joshua told them,“Go in front of the ark of the LORD your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes.

    6The stones will be a reminder to you. When your children ask someday,‘Why are these stones important to you?’

    7tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites.”

    8The Israelites did just as Joshua commanded. They picked up twelve stones, according to the number of the Israelite tribes, from the middle of the Jordan as the LORD had instructed Joshua. They carried them over with them to the camp and put them there.

    9Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan in the very place where the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stood. They remain there to this very day.

    10Now the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people was accomplished, in accordance with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people went across quickly,

    11and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed as the people looked on.

  • Josh 4:1-2
    2 verses
    87%

    1Israel Commemorates the Crossing When the entire nation was on the other side, the LORD told Joshua,

    2“Select for yourselves twelve men from the people, one per tribe.

  • Josh 3:11-17
    7 verses
    81%

    11Look! The ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth is ready to enter the Jordan ahead of you.

    12Now select for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one per tribe.

    13When the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the LORD, the Lord of the whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan, the water coming downstream toward you will stop flowing and pile up.”

    14So when the people left their tents to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.

    15When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface of the water–(the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time)–

    16the water coming downstream toward them stopped flowing. It piled up far upstream at Adam(the city near Zarethan); there was no water at all flowing to the sea of the rift valley(the Salt Sea). The people crossed the river opposite Jericho.

    17The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side.

  • Josh 4:15-23
    9 verses
    79%

    15The LORD told Joshua,

    16“Instruct the priests carrying the ark of the covenantal laws to come up from the Jordan.”

    17So Joshua instructed the priests,“Come up from the Jordan!”

    18The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the middle of the Jordan, and as soon as they set foot on dry land, the water of the Jordan flowed again and returned to flood stage.

    19The people went up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month and camped in Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.

    20Now Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan.

    21He told the Israelites,“When your children someday ask their fathers,‘What do these stones represent?’

    22explain to your children,‘Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.’

    23For the LORD your God dried up the water of the Jordan before you while you crossed over. It was just like when the LORD your God dried up the Red Sea before us while we crossed it.

  • Josh 3:8-9
    2 verses
    79%

    8Instruct the priests carrying the ark of the covenant,‘When you reach the bank of the Jordan River, wade into the water.’”

    9Joshua told the Israelites,“Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God!”

  • Josh 1:10-13
    4 verses
    76%

    10Joshua Prepares for the Invasion Joshua instructed the leaders of the people:

    11“Go through the camp and command the people,‘Prepare your supplies, for within three days you will cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of the land the LORD your God is ready to hand over to you.’”

    12Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh:

    13“Remember what Moses the LORD’s servant commanded you. The LORD your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you.

  • Deut 27:2
    75%

    2When you cross the Jordan River to the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must erect great stones and cover them with plaster.

  • Josh 3:1-3
    3 verses
    74%

    1Israel Crosses the Jordan Bright and early the next morning Joshua and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing the river.

    2After three days the leaders went through the camp

    3and commanded the people:“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you must leave here and walk behind it.

  • Deut 27:4
    73%

    4So when you cross the Jordan you must erect on Mount Ebal these stones about which I am commanding you today, and you must cover them with plaster.

  • Josh 3:6
    73%

    6Joshua told the priests,“Pick up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they picked up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.

  • Josh 18:4
    72%

    4Pick three men from each tribe. I will send them out to walk through the land and make a map of it for me.

  • Josh 7:23
    71%

    23They took it all from the middle of the tent, brought it to Joshua and all the Israelites, and placed it before the LORD.

  • Josh 22:1
    71%

    1Joshua Sends Home the Eastern Tribes Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh

  • Josh 8:9
    71%

    9Joshua sent them away and they went to their hiding place west of Ai, between Bethel and Ai. Joshua spent that night with the army.

  • Josh 24:27
    71%

    27Joshua said to all the people,“Look, this stone will be a witness against us, for it has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness against you if you deny your God.”

  • Josh 18:8
    70%

    8When the men started out, Joshua told those going to map out the land,“Go, walk through the land, map it out, and return to me. Then I will draw lots for you before the LORD here in Shiloh.”

  • Josh 6:7
    70%

    7And he told the army,“Move ahead and march around the city, with armed troops going ahead of the ark of the LORD.”

  • Deut 11:31
    70%

    31For you are about to cross the Jordan to possess the land the LORD your God is giving you, and you will possess and inhabit it.

  • Josh 9:27
    70%

    27and that day made them woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD at the divinely chosen site.(They continue in that capacity to this very day.)

  • Deut 3:28
    69%

    28Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because he will lead these people over and will enable them to inherit the land you will see.”

  • Josh 4:13
    69%

    13About forty thousand battle-ready troops marched past the LORD to fight on the rift valley plains of Jericho.