Joshua also set up twelve stonesThis act of setting up stones is a common biblical practice for creating memorials or altars (
Genesis 28:18, 31:45). The twelve stones represent the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing unity and collective memory. This act serves as a physical reminder of God's faithfulness and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River.
in the middle of the Jordan,
The location in the middle of the Jordan River is significant as it marks the exact spot where the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant. This emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, as the river was at flood stage (Joshua 3:15). The stones in the riverbed serve as a testament to God's power in stopping the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground.
in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood.
The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God's presence among His people. The priests standing in the river with the Ark signifies God's direct involvement in the crossing. This mirrors the crossing of the Red Sea, where God's presence led the Israelites to safety (Exodus 14:21-22). The Ark's presence in the river underscores the importance of faith and obedience in experiencing God's miracles.
And the stones are there to this day.
This phrase indicates the enduring nature of the memorial. It serves as a lasting witness to future generations of the miraculous event. The phrase "to this day" suggests that the stones were still visible at the time of the writing, providing historical credibility. This enduring memorial is a call to remember and teach future generations about God's mighty works, similar to the Passover celebration (Exodus 12:14).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating obedience and leadership.
2.
Twelve StonesThese stones were set up as a memorial to the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites. They symbolize God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.
3.
Jordan RiverA significant geographical location where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land. It represents a boundary between the wilderness and the land of promise.
4.
PriestsThe priests carried the Ark of the Covenant and stood in the Jordan River, signifying God's presence and leading the people.
5.
Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Law, representing God's covenant with Israel and His presence among His people.
Teaching Points
Memorials of FaithJust as Joshua set up stones to remember God's faithfulness, we should establish memorials in our lives to remind us of God's work and promises.
God's Presence in TransitionThe presence of the Ark in the Jordan signifies God's presence during times of transition. Trust in God's guidance as you move through life's changes.
Obedience and LeadershipJoshua's actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's commands and the role of leadership in guiding others in faith.
Faith in ActionThe Israelites' crossing of the Jordan required faith. We are called to step out in faith, trusting in God's promises even when the path seems uncertain.
Legacy of FaithThe stones were a testimony to future generations. Consider how your faith and actions today can impact and inspire future generations.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Joshua 4:9?
2.Why did Joshua set stones "in the middle of the Jordan" riverbed?
3.How can we create memorials to remember God's works in our lives?
4.What does Joshua 4:9 teach about God's faithfulness to His promises?
5.How do these stones connect to other biblical memorials of God's deliverance?
6.How can we share God's past works with future generations today?
7.What is the significance of the twelve stones mentioned in Joshua 4:9?
8.How does Joshua 4:9 demonstrate God's faithfulness to Israel?
9.Why did Joshua place stones in the Jordan River according to Joshua 4:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 4?
11.What is Gilgal's significance in the Bible?
12.What is it still called today?
13.What is the Book of Joshua's date of writing?
14.Who is the author of the Book of Joshua?What Does Joshua 4:9 Mean
Joshua also set up twelve stones“Joshua also set up twelve stones…”
• Joshua personally acts, underscoring leadership that follows God’s explicit command (Joshua 4:1-3).
• Twelve stones picture the unity of the twelve tribes, as inExodus 24:4 and1 Kings 18:31.
• This is a second memorial; the first pile was carried to Gilgal (Joshua 4:8). God provides a double reminder—one inside the riverbed, one on the bank—so no generation can miss the story.
• The literal stones affirm that God works in concrete history, not myth.
in the middle of the Jordan“…in the middle of the Jordan…”
• The exact spot where the waters had miraculously stopped (Joshua 3:13) becomes the place of remembrance.
• When the river returned to flood stage, the hidden stones continued bearing silent testimony—much like Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea was marked by Pharaoh’s destruction beneath the waves (Exodus 14:26-31).
•Psalm 114:3 celebrates, “The Jordan turned back,” and these stones ground that praise in geography.
in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood“…in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood.”
• The Ark represented God’s throne (1 Samuel 4:4); the priests’ feet marked the boundary between danger and deliverance (Joshua 3:17).
• Memorial stones exactly at that spot proclaim that every victory flows from God’s presence, not human strength (Numbers 10:35-36).
• Linking the stones to priestly ministry foreshadows the later truth that only through the Mediator can people pass safely through judgment (Hebrews 4:14-16).
And the stones are there to this day“And the stones are there to this day.”
• The writer, living years later, verifies the continuing existence of the memorial, anchoring the narrative in verifiable history (cf.Deuteronomy 34:6;1 Samuel 6:18).
• This phrase invites every reader to trust the record because the evidence was publicly accessible.
• God’s acts are permanent; memories may fade, but His works endure (Psalm 111:2-4).
summaryJoshua 4:9 records a literal, physical memorial placed by Joshua in the very riverbed where God held back the Jordan. The twelve submerged stones, forever linked to the tribes, the Ark, and the priests, certify the reality of the miracle and call every generation to remember that the living God brings His people safely through impossible barriers.
Verse 9. -
And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan. A great deal of ingenuity has been wasted over this passage. Kennicott would read
"from the midst," instead of "
in the midst;" but this purely conjectural emendation is contrary to the fact that these stones were to be set up where the priests bearing the ark stood, while the others were to be set up where the Israelites rested for the night. Again: it has been asked why stones should be placed as a memorial in the Jordan itself, where no man could see them. The answer is a simple one. They were not placed in the Jordan, but at some distance from its banks. They were placed where the priests stood,
i.e., at the
brink of the Jordan ("juxta ripam," Jarchi), which at that time had overflowed its banks (
Joshua 3:15). It is no reply to this to observe with the translator of Keil that the stones would by this interpretation be left high and dry for the greater part of the year, for this would be the very reason why that precise spot was fixed upon for a memorial. Nor does the word
בְּתּוך in the midst, constitute any valid objection to this interpretation, for the same word is used in
Joshua 3:17, although two verses previously we are told that the priests stood at the brink of the swollen river with the soles of their feet just dipped in the water (see note there). Thus while the Vulgate translates "in medio Jordanis alveo," the LXX. renders more accurately by
ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ Ιορδάνῃ. Thus Rosenmuller's objection to the two monuments, namely, that such monuments would never be placed in a rapidly flowing stream like the Jordan, vanishes; while, as Poole suggests, these stones might be heavier, and form even a more enduring memorial than that of the first resting place of the Israelites, constructed as it were of stones which were not beyond the power of one man to carry after all, it may be asked whether it is more probable that this passage is an insertion from another, and an irreconcilable account (Meyer, Knobel), or that it is a later gloss (Rosenmuller, Maurer, etc.), or that two monuments of so mighty and memorable a miracle should have been set up, one at the place where the priests stood, and the other where the Israelites rested after this wonderful interposition of God on their behalf. So Hengstenberg 'Geschichte des Reiches Gottes,' p. 203. The Syriac version only supports Rosenmuller's view. The LXX. and Vulgate render "twelve other stones." The supposition that the sacred historian gives all the commands of God to Joshua, and that therefore such parts of the narrative as are not contained in these commands are to be rejected, is refuted by a comparison, for instance, of
Joshua 3:7, 8, with vers. 13, 17.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Joshua alsoיְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091:Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelitesset upהֵקִ֣ים(hê·qîm)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standtwelveוּשְׁתֵּ֧ים(ū·šə·têm)Conjunctive waw | Number - fd
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)stonesאֲבָנִ֗ים(’ă·ḇā·nîm)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 68:A stonein the middleבְּת֣וֹךְ(bə·ṯō·wḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centreof the Jordan,הַיַּרְדֵּן֒(hay·yar·dên)Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3383:Jordan -- the principal river of Palestinein the placeתַּ֗חַת(ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofwhere the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים(hak·kō·hă·nîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548:Priestwho carriedנֹשְׂאֵ֖י(nō·śə·’ê)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takethe arkאֲר֣וֹן(’ă·rō·wn)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727:A chest, arkof the covenantהַבְּרִ֑ית(hab·bə·rîṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285:A covenantwere standing.מַצַּב֙(maṣ·ṣaḇ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4673:A fixed spot, an office, a military postAnd [the stones] areוַיִּ֣הְיוּ(way·yih·yū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bethereשָׁ֔ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thithertoעַ֖ד(‘aḏ)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilethisהַזֶּֽה׃(haz·zeh)Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, thatday.הַיּ֥וֹם(hay·yō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day
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OT History: Joshua 4:9 Joshua set up twelve stones (Josh. Jos) 
