The Meaning of Joshua 3:8 Explained

Joshua 3:8

KJV: And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.

YLT: and thou, thou dost command the priests bearing the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye come unto the extremity of the waters of the Jordan -- in the Jordan ye stand.'

Darby: And thou shalt command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, stand still in the Jordan.

ASV: And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt command  the priests  that bear  the ark  of the covenant,  saying,  When ye are come  to the brink  of the water  of Jordan,  ye shall stand still  in Jordan. 

What does Joshua 3:8 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 3:8 mean?

And You shall command - the priests who bear the ark of the covenant saying when you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan in the Jordan you shall stand -
וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּצַוֶּה֙ אֶת־ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֥י אֲרֽוֹן־ הַבְּרִ֖ית לֵאמֹ֑ר כְּבֹאֲכֶ֗ם עַד־ קְצֵה֙ מֵ֣י הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן בַּיַּרְדֵּ֖ן תַּעֲמֹֽדוּ פ

וְאַתָּ֗ה  And  You 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
תְּצַוֶּה֙  shall  command 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים  the  priests 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: כֹּהֵן  
Sense: priest, principal officer or chief ruler.
נֹשְׂאֵ֥י  who  bear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
אֲרֽוֹן־  the  ark 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הַבְּרִ֖ית  of  the  covenant 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: בְּרִית  
Sense: covenant, alliance, pledge.
לֵאמֹ֑ר  saying 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
כְּבֹאֲכֶ֗ם  when  you  have  come 
Parse: Preposition-k, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, second person masculine plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
קְצֵה֙  the  edge 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: קָצֶה 
Sense: end, extremity.
מֵ֣י  of  the  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן  of  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).
בַּיַּרְדֵּ֖ן  in  the  Jordan 
Parse: Preposition-b, 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).
תַּעֲמֹֽדוּ  you  shall  stand 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation