Joshua – Chapter 3

Old Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

Joshua 3 opens with the words: "And Joshua rose before daylight, and removed the camp: and they departed from Setim, and came to the Jordan: he, and all the children of…" The chapter centers on Joshua and Moses. Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: God's covenant promises and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And Joshua 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.

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

3And 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:

4And 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.

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

6And 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.

7And the Lord said to Joshua: 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.

8And 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.

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

10And 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.

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

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

13And 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.

14So 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.

15And 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,)

16The 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.

17And 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.

Important Verses in Joshua 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:

Joshua 3:3

And the Lord said to Joshua: 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.

Joshua 3:7

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

Joshua 3:11

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.

Joshua 3:17

Historical Context

Joshua belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises. Chapter 3 of 24 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Joshua and Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And Joshua rose before daylight, and removed the camp: and they departed from Setim, and came to the Jordan: he, and…" The final verse reads: "And the people marched over against Jericho: and the priests that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, stood…" In terms of historical background, Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Joshua 3 presents a concrete episode in the history of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 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…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's covenant promises.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 302).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Joshua4 mentionsMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Joshua Chapter 3, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Joshua Chapter 3 supports that call by drawing attention to purity of heart and interior conversion within the wider message that God fulfills His promises.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1265).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 3 about?

Joshua 3 contains 17 verses. It opens with "And Joshua rose before daylight, and removed the camp: and they departed from Setim, and came to the Jordan: he, and…" and closes with "And the people marched over against Jericho: and the priests that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, stood…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 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…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Joshua, Moses.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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