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Liber Iosue, 3

1. igitur Josue de nocte consurgens movit castra egredientesque de Setthim venerunt ad Jordanem ipse et omnes filii Israël et morati sunt ibi per tres dies

1. And Josue rose before daylight, and removed the camp: and they departed from Setim, and came to the Jordan, he, and all the children of Israel, and they abode there for three days.

2. quibus evolutis transierunt præcones per castrorum medium

2. After which, the heralds went through the midst of the camp,

3. et clamare cœperunt quando videritis arcam fœderis Domini Dei vestri et sacerdotes stirpis leviticæ portantes eam vos quoque consurgite et sequimini præcedentes

3. And began to proclaim: When you shall see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests of the race of Levi carrying it, rise you up also, and follow them as they go before:

4. sitque inter vos et arcam spatium cubitorum duum milium ut procul videre possitis et nosse per quam viam ingrediamini quia prius non ambulastis per eam et cavete ne adpropinquetis ad arcam

4. 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.

5. dixitque Josue ad populum sanctificamini cras enim faciet Dominus inter vos mirabilia

5. And Josue said to the people: Be ye sanctified: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

6. et ait ad sacerdotes tollite arcam fœderis et præcedite populum qui jussa conplentes tulerunt et ambulaverunt ante eos

6. And he said to the priests: Take up the ark of the covenant, and go before the people. And they obeyed his commands, and took it up and walked before them.

7. dixitque Dominus ad Josue hodie incipiam exaltare te coram omni Israël ut sciant quod sicut cum Mosi fui ita et tecum sim

7. And the Lord said to Josue: This day will I begin to exalt thee before Israel: that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I am with thee also.

8. tu autem præcipe sacerdotibus qui portant arcam fœderis et dic eis cum ingressi fueritis partem aquæ Jordanis state in ea

8. And do thou command the priests that carry the ark of the covenant, and say to them: When you shall have entered into part of the water of the Jordan, stand in it.

9. dixitque Josue ad filios Israël accedite huc et audite verba Domini Dei vestri

9. And Josue said to the children of Israel: Come hither and hear the word of the Lord your God.

10. et rursum in hoc inquit scietis quod Dominus Deus vivens in medio vestri est et disperdat in conspectu vestro Chananeum Hettheum Eveum et Ferezeum Gergeseum quoque et Amorreum et Jebuseum

10. And again he said: By this you shall know that the Lord the living God is in the midst of you, and that he shall destroy before your sight the Chanaanite and the Hethite, the Hevite and the Pherezite, the Gergesite also and the Jebusite, and the Amorrhite.

11. ecce arca fœderis Domini omnis terræ antecedet vos per Jordanem

11. Behold the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth shall go before you into the Jordan.

12. parate duodecim viros de tribubus Israël singulos per singulas tribus

12. Prepare ye twelve men of the tribes of Israel, one of every tribe.

13. et cum posuerint vestigia pedum suorum sacerdotes qui portant arcam Domini Dei universæ terræ in aquis Jordanis aquæ quæ inferiores sunt decurrent atque deficient quæ autem desuper veniunt in una mole consistent

13. And when the priests, that carry the ark of the Lord the God of the whole earth, shall set the soles of their feet in the waters of the Jordan, the waters that are beneath shall run down and go off: and those that come from above, shall stand together upon a heap.

14. igitur egressus est populus de tabernaculis suis ut transirent Jordanem et sacerdotes qui portabant arcam fœderis pergebant ante eum

14. So the people went out of their tents, to pass over the Jordan: and the priests that carried the ark of the covenant. went on before them.

15. ingressisque eis Jordanem et pedibus eorum tinctis in parte aquæ cum Jordanis autem ripas alvei sui tempore messis impleret

15. And as soon as they came into the Jordan, and their feet were dipped in part of the water, (now the Jordan, it being harvest time, had filled the banks of its channel,)

16. steterunt aquæ descendentes in uno loco et instar montis intumescentes apparebant procul ab urbe quæ vocatur Adom usque ad locum Sarthan quæ autem inferiores erant in mare Solitudinis quod nunc vocatur Mortuum descenderunt usquequo omnino deficerent

16. The waters that came down from above stood in one place, and swelling up like a mountain, were seen afar off from the city that is called Adom, to the place of Sarthan: but those that were beneath, ran down into the sea of the wilderness (which now is called the Dead Sea) until they wholly failed.

17. populus autem incedebat contra Jordanem et sacerdotes qui portabant arcam fœderis Domini stabant super siccam humum in medio Jordanis accincti omnisque populus per arentem alveum transiebat

17. And the people marched over against Jericho: and the priests that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, stood girded upon the dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all the people passed over through the channel that was dried up.



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Footnotes:

3:1-4 - Joshua prepares the people to cross the Jordan, emphasizing the importance of consecration and spiritual preparation before taking a major step of faith. This highlights the need to be ready to follow God's leading (see also 1 Peter 1:16 and James 4:8).

3:5 - Joshua's command to consecrate the people indicates the importance of spiritual purity in approaching God. Holiness is fundamental in the life of the believer, especially in times of great expectation (see also Leviticus 20:7-8 and Hebrews 12:14).

3:14-17 - The miracle of the Jordan River being parted by the priests being the first to step into the waters reflects faith in action and obedience. The people's experience reinforces their confidence in God's presence and power (see also 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 and Romans 1:17).

3:16-17 - The Lord dries up the waters of the Jordan, allowing Israel to cross over on dry ground. This event is a testimony to God's power to fulfill His promises and deliver His people (see also Isaiah 43:16-17 and Psalm 77:15).

3:21-24 - The priests carrying the ark stand in the middle of the Jordan River as the people pass by. This symbolizes God's continued presence among His people and the importance of trusting in His guidance throughout their journey (see also Psalm 23:4 and Matthew 28:20).

Verses related to Liber Iosue, 3:

Joshua chapter 3 describes the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. How does God demonstrate His power and presence? This powerful text chronicles Israel's passage into the Promised Land, with the Ark of the Covenant leading the way. The chapter emphasizes God's holiness, His faithfulness to His promises, and the importance of obedience. Joshua 3 also draws parallels with Exodus, reaffirming divine care. Explore with us five biblical passages that elucidate the profound themes of this transformative chapter.

Psalms 114:3: "The sea looked and fled, the Jordan retreated;" - This psalm references the miraculous crossing of the Jordan narrated in Joshua 3.

Isaiah 43:2: "When you cross the waters, I will be with you; and when you cross the rivers, they will not hide you. When you walk through fire, you will not get burned; the flames will not leave you burning." - This verse echoes the divine protection experienced by Israel as they crossed the Jordan in Joshua 3.

Hebrews 11:29: "By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they drowned." - Although it refers to the Red Sea, this verse highlights the faith required to miraculously cross waters, as in Joshua 3.

Exodus 25:10-22: "[Ark of the Covenant Description]" - This passage describes the Ark of the Covenant, which plays a central role in the crossing of the Jordan in Joshua 3.

1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, to proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - This verse reflects the role of the priests in leading the people across the Jordan in Joshua 3.

FAQ:

What happened when the priests touched the waters of the Jordan?

When the priests touched the waters of the Jordan, the waters stopped flowing, allowing the Israelites to cross the river on dry ground. (Joshua 3:13-17)

What was the purpose of the miracle of crossing the Jordan on dry land?

The miracle demonstrated God's power and confirmed that He was with Joshua, helping to strengthen the people's faith and ensuring their leadership. (Joshua 3:7-10)

How were the Israelites instructed to remember the miracle at the Jordan?

Joshua instructed the Israelites to choose twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan to build a monument to commemorate God’s intervention in the crossing. (Joshua 4:1-7)

What did the Ark of the Covenant symbolize during the crossing of the Jordan?

The ark of the covenant symbolized God's presence and His covenant with the Israelites, guiding them and ensuring their safety as they crossed the Jordan. (Joshua 3:3-4)

What did the priests do after crossing the Jordan?

After the crossing, the priests remained in the middle of the river until the entire nation had passed over, and then they withdrew, and the waters returned to their course. (Joshua 3:17)


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