Joshua – Chapter 4

Old Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

Joshua 4 opens with the words: "And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:" The chapter centers on Joshua, Moses and Manasses. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:

2Choose twelve men, one of every tribe:

3And command them to take out of the midst of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests stood, twelve very hard stones, which you shall set in the place of the camp, where you shall pitch your tents this night.

4And Joshua called twelve men, whom he had chosen out of the children of Israel, one out of every tribe,

5And he said to them: Go before the ark of the Lord your God to the midst of the Jordan, and carry from thence every man a stone on your shoulders, according to the number of the children of Israel,

6That it may be a sign among you: and when your children shall ask you tomorrow, saying: What means these stones?

7You shall answer them: The waters of the Jordan ran off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over the same: therefore were these stones set for a monument of the children of Israel forever.

8The children of Israel therefore did as Joshua commanded them, carrying out of the channel of the Jordan twelve stones, as the Lord had commanded him according to the number of the children of Israel unto the place wherein they camped, and there they set them.

9And Joshua put other twelve stones in the midst of the channel of the Jordan, where the priests stood that carried the ark of the covenant: and they are there until this present day.

10Now the priests that carried the ark, stood in the midst of the Jordan, till all things were accomplished, which the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, and Moses had said to him. And the people made haste, and passed over.

11And when they had all passed over, the ark also of the Lord passed over, and the priests went before the people.

12The children of Ruben also, and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasses, went armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had commanded them.

13And forty thousand fighting men by their troops and bands, marched through the plains and fields of the city of Jericho.

14In that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel, that they should fear him, as they had feared Moses, while he lived.

15And he said to him:

16Command the priests, that carry the ark of the covenant, to come up out of the Jordan.

17And he commanded them, saying: Come ye up out of the Jordan.

18And when they that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, were come up, and began to tread on the dry ground, the waters returned into their channel, and ran as they were wont before.

19And the people came up out of the Jordan, the tenth day of the first month, and camped in Galgal, over against the east side of the city of Jericho.

20And the twelve stones, which they had taken out of the channel of the Jordan, Joshua pitched in Galgal,

21And said to the children of Israel: When your children shall ask their fathers tomorrow, and shall say to them: What mean these stones?

22You shall teach them, and say: Israel passed over this Jordan through the dry channel,

23The Lord your God drying up the waters thereof in your sight, until you passed over:

24As he had done before in the Red Sea, which he dried up till we passed through:

25That all the people of the earth may learn the most mighty hand of the Lord, that you also may fear the Lord your God for ever.

Important Verses in Joshua 4

And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:

Joshua 4:1

You shall answer them: The waters of the Jordan ran off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it passed over the same: therefore were these stones set for a monument of the children of Israel forever.

Joshua 4:7

And when they that carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, were come up, and began to tread on the dry ground, the waters returned into their channel, and ran as they were wont before.

Joshua 4:18

That all the people of the earth may learn the most mighty hand of the Lord, that you also may fear the Lord your God for ever.

Joshua 4:25

Historical Context

Joshua addresses israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 4 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 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Joshua, Moses and Manasses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:" The chapter ends with: "That all the people of the earth may learn the most mighty hand of the Lord, that you also may fear the Lord your God…" 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. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: 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

In this 25-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2632). Here, Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. 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

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Joshua7 mentionsMoses3 mentionsManasses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Joshua Chapter 4 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The passage calls believers to grasp that God fulfills His promises.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1604) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 4 about?

Joshua 4 contains 25 verses. It opens with "And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:" and closes with "That all the people of the earth may learn the most mighty hand of the Lord, that you also may fear the Lord your God…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when they were passed over, the Lord said to Joshua:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions Joshua, Moses, Manasses.

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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