The Meaning of Joshua 3:15 Explained

Joshua 3:15

KJV: And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

YLT: and at those bearing the ark coming in unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark have been dipped in the extremity of the waters (and the Jordan is full over all its banks all the days of harvest) --

Darby: and when they that bore the ark were come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (and the Jordan is full over all its banks throughout the days of harvest),

ASV: and when they that bare the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,)

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And as they that bare  the ark  were come  unto Jordan,  and the feet  of the priests  that bare  the ark  were dipped  in the brim  of the water,  (for Jordan  overfloweth  all his banks  all the time  of harvest,  ) 

What does Joshua 3:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Joshua 3:1-17 - The Jordan Safely Crossed
For three days the host faced that swollen river. It was enough to appall them, except that, like Abraham, they dared to behold it in the light of the divine promise. Every method was adopted to impress on them that the river was cleft by and for the Ark. The distance between the people and the advancing priests was purposely widened that there might be no doubt about the miracle. Whenever we step out on the unknown path, the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolizes Christ, precedes, Isaiah 52:12.
The waters far up the stream were arrested and formed themselves into a vast lake. The bed of the river became dry for miles. The priests stood still till all Israel was safely over. Not only the leaders and priests, but the rank and file. Each of the blood-bought is dear to God. They shall not come into judgment, John 5:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Joshua 3:15 mean?

and as came those who bore the ark to the Jordan and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water for the Jordan overflows on all its banks whole during the time of harvest
וּכְב֞וֹא נֹשְׂאֵ֤י הָֽאָרוֹן֙ עַד־ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וְרַגְלֵ֤י הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ נֹשְׂאֵ֣י הָֽאָר֔וֹן נִטְבְּל֖וּ בִּקְצֵ֣ה הַמָּ֑יִם וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן מָלֵא֙ עַל־ כָּל־ גְּדוֹתָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י קָצִֽיר

וּכְב֞וֹא  and  as  came 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
נֹשְׂאֵ֤י  those  who  bore 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
הָֽאָרוֹן֙  the  ark 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן  the  Jordan 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: יַרְדֵּן  
Sense: the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km).
וְרַגְלֵ֤י  and  the  feet 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, fdc
Root: רֶגֶל  
Sense: foot.
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙  of  the  priests 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: כֹּהֵן  
Sense: priest, principal officer or chief ruler.
נֹשְׂאֵ֣י  who  bore 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
הָֽאָר֔וֹן  the  ark 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
נִטְבְּל֖וּ  dipped 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: טָבַל  
Sense: to dip, dip into, plunge.
בִּקְצֵ֣ה  in  the  edge 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: קָצֶה 
Sense: end, extremity.
הַמָּ֑יִם  of  the  water 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן  for  the  Jordan 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: יַרְדֵּן  
Sense: the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km).
מָלֵא֙  overflows 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
גְּדוֹתָ֔יו  its  banks 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: גָּדָה  
Sense: a river bank.
כֹּ֖ל  whole 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
יְמֵ֥י  during  the  time 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
קָצִֽיר  of  harvest 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קָצִיר 
Sense: harvest, harvesting.