Joshua 3:4

Joshua 3:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)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."
• New King James Version (NKJV)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 passed this way before.”

Context of Joshua 3:4

2And it happened at the end of three days that the officers went throughout the camp, 3and they commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from where you are and follow it. 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.” 5Then Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves [for His purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders (miracles) among you.” 6Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over [the river] ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went on ahead of the people.

Joshua 3:4 word by word

אַ֣ךְ׀ רָח֣וֹק יִהְיֶ֗ה בֵּֽינֵיכֶם֙ וּבֵינָ֔יו כְּאַלְפַּ֥יִם אַמָּ֖ה בַּמִּדָּ֑ה אַֽל־תִּקְרְב֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו לְמַ֤עַן אֲשֶׁר־תֵּֽדְעוּ֙ אֶת־הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽלְכוּ־בָ֔הּ כִּ֣י לֹ֧א עֲבַרְתֶּ֛ם בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ מִתְּמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Yet there shall be a spaceרָחֹקrâchôq râchôq · distantH7350
• between you and it, about two thousandאֶ֫לֶף'eleph · thousandH505
• cubitsאַמָּה'ammâh · cubitH520
• by measureמִדָּהmiddâh · measureH4060
• come not nearקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126
• unto it, that ye may knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: roadH1870
• by which ye must goיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
• for ye have not passedעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674
• heretoforeשִׁלְשֹׁםshilshôm shilshôm · three days agoH8032
• heretoforeתְּמוֹלtemôl temôl · yesterdayH8543

Cross-references for Joshua 3:4

• Exodus 3:5Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect], because the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
• Exodus 19:12You shall set barriers for the people all around [the mountain], saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch its border; whoever touches the mountain must be put to death.
• Psalms 89:7A God greatly feared and reverently worshiped in the council of the holy [angelic] ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him?
• Hebrews 12:28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe;
• Genesis 31:2Jacob noticed [a change in] the attitude of Laban, and saw that it was not friendly toward him as before.
• Exodus 4:10Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
• 1 Chronicles 11:2In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince and leader over My people Israel.’ ”
• Isaiah 30:33For Topheth [in Hinnom] has long been ready; Indeed, it has been prepared for the [Assyrian] king. He has made it deep and wide, A pit of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the Lord, like a river of brimstone (blazing sulfur), kindles and fans it.

Commentaries on Joshua 3:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4About two thousand cubits - This distance they were to keep, For the greater respect, because the presence of the ark was the symbol and pledge of the Divine presence. 2. That the ark, which was to be their pilot over these waters, might be the more conspicuous which it could not have been had the people crowded upon it.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The ark, which was since the making of the covenant the special shrine and seat of God‘s presence, went before to show the people that God, through its medium, was their leader. They were to follow at a distance that they might the better observe and mark how the miracle was accomplished. This they would do to the greatest advantage while coming down the heights, the ark going on before them into the ravine.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark: God did this so they would not become careless about his presence. They were to respond to God with deep respect and awe, because God is holy.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-42-4. the officers went through the host; And they commanded the people--The instructions given at this time and in this place were different from those described (Jos 1:11).Read the comment

Topics related to Joshua 3:4

• Tabernacle

In the dictionaries

• Brim
• Clean
• Fail
• Ark of the Covenant
• Exodus, the Book of
• Heretofore
• Joshua (2)
• Joshua, Book of
• Priests and Levites
• Sabbath Day's Journey

Commentaries on Joshua 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings