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◄ Joshua 3:4►

New International Version
Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

New Living Translation
Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”

English Standard Version
Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Berean Standard Bible
But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.”

King James Bible
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passedthis way heretofore.

New King James Version
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passedthis way before.”

New American Standard Bible
However, there shall be a distance between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measurement. Do not come near it, so that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

NASB 1995
“However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

NASB 1977
“However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Legacy Standard Bible
However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Amplified Bible
However, there shall be a distance between you and it of about 2,000 cubits (3,000 ft.) by measurement. Do not come near it, so that you may [be able to see the ark and] know the way you are to go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Christian Standard Bible
But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between yourselves and the ark. Don’t go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But keep a distance of about 1,000 yards between yourselves and the ark. Don’t go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before.”

American Standard Version
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

English Revised Version
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, stay about half a mile behind them. Don't come any closer to them so that you will know which way to go because you have not gone this way before."

Good News Translation
You have never been here before, so they will show you the way to go. But do not get near the Covenant Box; stay about half a mile behind it."

International Standard Version
Be sure to keep a distance of about 2,000 cubits between you and it. Don't come near it, so you can be certain where you're going, since you haven't passed this way before."

NET Bible
But stay about three thousand feet behind it. Keep your distance so you can see which way you should go, for you have not traveled this way before."

New Heart English Bible
However, keep a distance of about two thousand nine hundred fifty-three feet between yourselves and the ark. Do not come near to it, that you may know the way by which you must go; for you have not passed this way before."

Webster's Bible Translation
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near to it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.”

World English Bible
Yet there shall be a space between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measure—don’t come closer to it—that you may know the way by which you must go; for you have not passed this way before.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
only, a distance is between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure; you do not come near to it, so that you know the way in which you go, for you have not passed over in the way before.”

Young's Literal Translation
only, a distance is between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure; ye do not come near unto it, so that ye know the way in which ye go, for ye have not passed over in the way heretofore.'

Smith's Literal Translation
But it shall be far off between you and between it, about two thousand cubits by measure: ye shall not draw near to it so that ye shall know the way which ye shall go in it; for ye passed not through the way from yesterday the third day.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And let there be between you and the ark the space of two thousand cubits: that you may see it afar off, and know which way you must go: for you have not gone this way before: and take care you come not near the ark.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And let there be, between you and the ark, the space of two thousand cubits, so that you may be able to see it from far away, and to know along which way you should advance. For you have not walked this way before. And be careful that you do not approach the ark.”

New American Bible
that you may know the way to take, for you have not gone over this road before. But let there be a space of two thousand cubits between you and the ark: do not come nearer to it.”

New Revised Standard Version
so that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, a distance of about two thousand cubits; do not come any nearer to it.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And there shall be a space between you and the ark, about two thousand cubits by measure; you shall not come near to it, that you may know the way by which you shall go; for you have not passed this way before.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there will be a space between you and the ark about two thousand cubits only by measure; you shall not come near it, so that you will know the way that you will go on it, because you have not passed on the way from yesterday and from the day before yesterday”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure; come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But let there be a distance between you and it; ye shall stand as much as two thousand cubitsfrom it. Do not draw nigh to it, that ye may know the way which ye are to go; for ye have not gone the way before.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Crossing the Jordan
…3and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you are to set out from your positions and follow it.4But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark.Do not go near it,so that you can see the way to go,since you have never traveled this way before.”5Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Exodus 13:21-22
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.

Numbers 10:33-34
So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. / And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Isaiah 52:12
For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even till death.

Psalm 73:24
You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.

Psalm 77:19-20
Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found. / You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 139:9-10
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, / even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

Romans 8:14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Treasury of Scripture

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near to it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way heretofore.

a space

Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standestis holy ground.

Exodus 19:12
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves,that ye gonot up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

Psalm 89:7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of allthem that are about him.

Genesis 31:2
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, itwas not toward him as before.

Exodus 4:10
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, Iam not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but Iam slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

1 Chronicles 11:2
And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thouwast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.

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Joshua 3

1.Joshua come to Jordan
2.The officers instruct the people for their passage
7.The Lord encourages Joshua
9.Joshua encourages the people
14.The water of Jordan are divided

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark.
The instruction to maintain a distance of about two thousand cubits (approximately 3,000 feet or 900 meters) between the people and the Ark of the Covenant underscores the holiness and sacredness of the Ark. The Ark represented God's presence among His people, and this separation emphasized reverence and respect. In the broader biblical context, the Ark contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna, symbolizing God's covenant, authority, and provision. The distance also ensured that the Ark was visible to all, guiding the Israelites as they prepared to cross the Jordan River. This act of keeping a distance can be seen as a type of Christ, who is both near to us and yet set apart in His holiness.

Do not go near it,
This command highlights the need for the Israelites to approach God with reverence and awe. The holiness of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, and the Israelites were reminded of the consequences of approaching God irreverently, as seen in the accounts of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2) and Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Ark, as the earthly throne of God, required the people to maintain a respectful distance, acknowledging God's transcendence and their own sinfulness.

so that you can see the way to go,
The Ark served as a guide for the Israelites, leading them into the Promised Land. This guidance is reminiscent of the pillar of cloud and fire that led them through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). The Ark's position at the forefront allowed the people to follow its lead, symbolizing God's leadership and direction in their journey. This phrase also points to the necessity of divine guidance in unfamiliar circumstances, a principle applicable to believers seeking God's direction in their lives.

since you have never traveled this way before.”
The Israelites were entering uncharted territory, both geographically and spiritually. This journey into the Promised Land required faith and trust in God's promises. The phrase underscores the newness of the path and the need for reliance on God, who knows the way. It also foreshadows the new covenant and the new way of life that Jesus Christ would bring, as He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). This journey into the unknown is a metaphor for the Christian walk, where believers are called to trust in God's guidance through life's uncertainties.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land.

2.The Israelites
The people of God, who are preparing to cross the Jordan River into Canaan.

3.The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence among His people.

4.The Jordan River
The body of water the Israelites must cross to enter the Promised Land.

5.Canaan
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Teaching Points

Reverence for God's Presence
The instruction to keep a distance from the Ark underscores the holiness of God and the need for reverence in His presence.

Guidance in Unfamiliar Paths
Just as the Israelites had never traveled this way before, believers today can trust God to guide them through unknown and challenging circumstances.

Faith and Obedience
The Israelites' obedience to God's command to follow the Ark demonstrates the importance of faith and trust in God's leading.

God's Faithfulness
The crossing of the Jordan is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, encouraging believers to trust in His promises today.

Preparation for New Beginnings
The Israelites' preparation to enter the Promised Land serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual readiness for new phases in life.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Joshua 3:4?

2.Why maintain a distance of "about two thousand cubits" from the Ark of Covenant?

3.How does Joshua 3:4 emphasize God's guidance in unfamiliar situations?

4.What does "you have not traveled this way before" teach about faith?

5.How can we apply the concept of following God's lead in daily life?

6.What other scriptures highlight the importance of following God's direction?

7.What does Joshua 3:4 reveal about God's guidance and presence among His people?

8.How does the command to keep distance in Joshua 3:4 reflect God's holiness?

9.Why was it important for the Israelites to follow the Ark in Joshua 3:4?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 3?

11.What is the Ark of the Testimony?

12.2 Chronicles 3:4 - How could the porch realistically be 120 cubits high when no known structures of that era matched such a height?

13.Joshua 4:18: Does the river's instantaneous return defy known natural processes, suggesting a contradiction with scientific norms?

14.How does the crossing in Joshua 3 compare with contradictory or differing accounts of water-parting miracles elsewhere in the Bible?

What Does Joshua 3:4 Mean

Maintaining Reverent Distance

“ ‘But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark…’ ”

• Two thousand cubits—roughly 3,000 feet—set a clear, visible buffer that underscored the ark’s holiness. Israel had learned that God’s presence is not to be handled casually (Exodus 19:12;Numbers 4:19-20;1 Samuel 6:19).

• The space also allowed the entire nation to see the ark at the riverbank, making the presence of the LORD unmistakable (Joshua 3:3).

• Later Scripture confirms that reverence remains essential, though Christ now grants us confident access (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Guarding Against Presumption

“ ‘Do not go near it…’ ”

• Proximity without permission could lead to judgment, as Uzzah learned when he touched the ark (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

• The command protected both the people and the sacred trust of the Levites (Numbers 4:15).

• Obedience here models the healthy fear of the LORD urged throughout Scripture (Proverbs 9:10;Acts 5:11-14).

Seeing the Way Forward

“ ‘…so that you can see the way to go…’ ”

• With the ark in clear view, every family could watch God’s path open through the Jordan (Joshua 3:13-17).

• God often positions His guidance where we must fix our eyes on Him, not on obstacles (Psalm 25:4-5;John 10:4).

• His Word remains our lamp and light, illuminating the route ahead (Psalm 119:105).

Walking Paths Never Traveled

“ ‘…since you have never traveled this way before.’ ”

• Israel faced a brand-new challenge: crossing a flood-stage river into a hostile land. Past manna-gathering in the wilderness had not prepared them for fortified Canaan, yet the LORD would lead the unfamiliar march (Deuteronomy 1:30-33;Isaiah 42:16).

• Believers today likewise meet uncharted seasons, trusting the same faithful Guide (2 Corinthians 5:7;Hebrews 11:8-10).

• The ark going first foreshadows Christ, who has gone ahead to prepare our eternal place (John 14:3) and to pioneer our salvation trail (Hebrews 12:2).

summary

Joshua 3:4 teaches that God’s holy presence must be honored, approached on His terms, and kept in clear view so His people can follow. The commanded distance guarded Israel from presumption, showcased the LORD’s leadership, and readied the nation to step into unknown territory. In every new venture, fixing our eyes on the One who goes before us remains the surest way to walk paths we have never traveled.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. -There shall be a space between you and it. Perhaps in order that they might keep it in view. This agrees best with the remainder of the verse, "that ye may know the way by which ye must go." Keil remarks that, had the Israelites pressed close on the heels of the priests who bore the ark, this would have defeated the very object with which the ark was carried before the people, namely, to point them out the way that they should go. But Cornelius Lapide among the earlier commentators and Knobel among the moderns hold that it was the sacredness of the ark which rendered it necessary that there should be a space of more than half a mile between it and the Israelites. Jarchi says the space was "in honour of God." We may learn hence that irreverent familiarity with sacred things is not the best way to obtain guidance in the way in which God would have us walk. "What awfull respects doth God require to be given unto the testimony of His presence? Uzzah paid deare for touching it; the men of Bethshemesh for looking into it. It is a dangerous thing to bee too bold with the ordinances of God" (Bp. Hall). "Neither was it onely for reverence that the arke must be wayted on afarre, but for convenience" (Ibid.). "The work of ministers is to hold forth the word of life, and to take care of the administration of those ordinances which are the tokens of God's presence and the instruments of His power and grace, and herein they must go before the people of God in their way to heaven" (Matthew Henryin loc.). (Cf.Numbers 4:19, 20;1 Samuel 6:19;2 Samuel 6:6, 7; alsoExodus 19:21.) The original here is more emphatic than the translation. "Only there shall be a distance (LXX.μακρὰν ἔστω) between you and it."Ye have not passed this way heretofore. Literally,ye have not crossed since yesterday, the third day. Paulus would translate this "lately," and thus get rid of the miracle, regarding it as an intimation that they were crossing at one of the fords. But they had not crossed the Jordanat all before. Consequently the translationlately is inadmissible. And even if they had been crossing Jordan by one of the fords, there is, as we have seen, a wide difference between crossing at the ford in ordinary times and crossing it when Jordan had overflowed its banks. This is a fair sample of the criticism which seeks to explain away miracles, as well as finds discrepancies where there are none.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But
אַ֣ךְ ׀(’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389:A particle of affirmation, surely

keep a distance
רָח֣וֹק(rā·ḥō·wq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350:Remote, of place, time, precious

of about two thousand
כְּאַלְפַּ֥יִם(kə·’al·pa·yim)
Preposition-k | Number - md
Strong's 505:A thousand

cubits
אַמָּ֖ה(’am·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520:A mother, a cubit, a door-base

between yourselves
בֵּֽינֵיכֶם֙(bê·nê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 996:An interval, space between

and the ark.
ובינו(ū·ḇê·nōw)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

Do not
אַֽל־(’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408:Not

go near it,
תִּקְרְב֣וּ(tiq·rə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7126:To come near, approach

so that
לְמַ֤עַן(lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616:Purpose -- intent

you can see
תֵּֽדְעוּ֙(tê·ḏə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3045:To know

the way
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙(had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action

to go,
תֵּֽלְכוּ־(tê·lə·ḵū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walk

since
כִּ֣י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

you have never
לֹ֧א(lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

traveled
עֲבַרְתֶּ֛ם(‘ă·ḇar·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass on

this way
בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ(bad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action

before.”
מִתְּמ֥וֹל(mit·tə·mō·wl)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8543:Ago, a, time since, yesterday, day before yesterday

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OT History: Joshua 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between (Josh. Jos)