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Joshua 4:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 4:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.
Joshua 4:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13about forty thousand ready armed for war passed over before Jehovah unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
14On that day Jehovah magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
15And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
16Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.
17Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of the Jordan.
18And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah were come up out of the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests` feet were lifted up unto the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned unto their place, and went over all its banks, as aforetime.
19And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.
← Joshua 4:15Joshua 4:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, etc.] In all places before, in this history, the ark is called the ark of the covenant, here the ark of the testimony, which signifies the same thing, the law; which was both the covenant between God and the people, and a testimony of his will unto them; the Septuagint version has both words: that they come up out of Jordan; where they stayed until all the people passed over, for the encouragement of them, and until they received this order.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Out of Jordan - For being now in the middle, and deepest place of the river, they are most properly said to go up to the land. Joshua 4:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jos 3:3-6; Exo 25:16-22; Rev 11:19 Joshua 4:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification