Joshua-Chap-3

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected as it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Eloleichem) which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

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“Yahoshua - Joshua Chapter 3 ”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Just before the the study, I would like to provide one more vital quote from the book of Yahoshua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).

“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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Introduction:

Yahoshua - Joshua’s Chapter 3. (JPS-1917 version).

Chapter 3, is a ‘pivotal’, ‘hopeful chapter’. written after Moshe - Moses’ had passed away, and he leads the people to the Jordan, whilst the priests carry the אָרוֹן הַבְּרִית - “Aron ha-Brit” the “Ark of the Covenant” before the nation. And אֱלֹהִים - Elohim miraculously holds back the waters so Israel may pass on dry ground, just as it occurred back when leaving Egypt. The chapter frames conquest as a sacred procession under אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence rather than a mere military campaign, and it teaches that obedience to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s signs opens the way into promise.

Thus, Yahoshua - Joshua chapter 3 narrates Israel’s solemn crossing of the Jordan under the “Ark’s” leadership, an act of Holy obedience that inaugurates entry into the “Promised Land”; the chapter model’s communal ‘preparation’, ‘Divine presence’, and ‘covenantal trust’!

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Let us first read this amazing chapter:

1. And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and they removed from Shittim, and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel; and they lodged there before they passed over.

2. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;

3. and they commanded the people, saying: 'When ye see the Ark of the covenant of the אֱלֹהֵיכֶם- יְהוָה- the LORD your Eloheichem, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

4. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure; come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore.'

5. And Joshua said unto the people: 'Sanctify yourselves; for to-morrow יְהוָה - the LORD will do wonders among you.'

6. And Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying: 'Take up the Ark of the Covenant, and pass on before the people.' And they took up the Ark of the covenant, and went before the people. 7. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Joshua: 'This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

8. 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.'

9. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel: 'Come hither, and hear the words of the אֱלֹהֵיכֶם- יְהוָה- LORD your Eloheichem’.

10. And Joshua said: 'Hereby ye shall know that the living אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite.

11. Behold, the Ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth on before you over the Jordan.

12. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.

13. And it shall come to pass, when the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the Ark of יְהוָה - the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, even the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand in one heap.'

14. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over the Jordan, the priests that bore the Ark of the covenant being before the people;

15. and when they that bore the Ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bore the Ark were dipped in the brink of the water, for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,

16. that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off from Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off; and the people passed over right against Jericho.

17. And the priests that bore the Ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, while all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over the Jordan.

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Let us now look at the verse by verse commentary:

A verse by verse commentary of Joshua Chapter 3 is provided below; the text and translation basis is the JPS 1917 version of the Tanakh, the Jewish Publication Society.

Verse by verse commentary (Joshua 3:1–17)

Verse 1.

The early rising and encampment: Joshua’s rising ‘early’ signals leadership readiness and urgency; the move from Shittim to the Jordan mArks a transition from wilderness wandering to imminent entry into the land. The overnight encampment before crossing emphasizes preparation and communal pause.

Verse 2.

Officers reconnoitre the camp: The officers’ inspection after three days shows military and ritual order; the three day interval allows the people to sanctify themselves and to be ready for a public, covenantal act.

Verse 3.

Command about following the Ark: The people are instructed to follow the Ark borne by the Levitical priests; the Ark functions as the visible presence and guide of אֱלֹהִים - God, not merely a religious object.

Verse 4.

Distance from the Ark specified: The prescribed distance (about two thousand cubits) creates a sacred buffer: the people follow but do not approach, preserving reverence and preventing disorder around the holy symbol.

Verse 5.

Sanctify yourselves: Joshua’s call to sanctification prepares the community morally and ritually; the promise “that יְהוָה -the LORD will do wonders” frames the crossing as a divine act, not merely human engineering.

Verse 6.

Priests to take up the Ark: The priests’ role is central; they lead the procession, underscoring that the entry into the land is under priestly and divine auspices.

Verse 7.

אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s assurance to Joshua: אֱלֹהִים speaks to Joshua, promising to exalt him in the sight of Israel so they may know He is with Him; leadership legitimacy is thus Divinely confirmed.

Verse 8.

Command to the priests at the river: Joshua instructs the priests to stand in the Jordan until commanded; their presence in the riverbed will become the locus of the miracle.

Verse 9.

Joshua’s proclamation to the people: Joshua reassures the people that אֱלֹהִים will perform wonders as He did at the Exodus, linking past redemption to present deliverance.

Verse 10.The people to know אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence: The miracle is intended as a sign for all peoples that God’s power rests with Israel; it is both national and theological testimony.

Verse 11.

The Ark as witness: The Ark’s centrality is reiterated; it will be the sign by which future generations remember אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving acts.

Verse 12.

The promise to the tribes: The crossing will demonstrate אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s faithfulness to the tribes of Israel, confirming the covenantal promise.

Verse 13.

Command to the priests to step into the Jordan: When the priests’ feet touch the water, the river will be stopped; the timing underscores obedience and faith.

Verse 14.

The people pass on dry ground: As the priests stand firm, the waters are held back and the people cross on dry ground, an unmistakable Divine intervention.

Verse 15.

The waters stand in a heap: The imagery echoes earlier miraculous deliverances; the piling of waters demonstrates sovereign control over nature.

Verse 16.

All Israel crosses safely: The orderly crossing of the entire nation emphasizes communal participation in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving act.

Verse 17.The Ark remains in the midst until all pass: The Ark’s central position throughout the crossing symbolizes אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s abiding presence as Israel enters the land!

Now a closing note: Joshua 3 presents a tightly structured narrative where ritual order, priestly leadership, and Divine initiative converge; the crossing is both a historical event and a theological sign of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s continuing guidance. This chapter teaches, that entrance into אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s promises requires ‘ordered obedience’, ‘visible signs of divine presence’, and ‘communal memory’. The Ark’s leadership, the priests’ witness, and the memorial stones together form a pattern: Prepare, follow אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sign, remember a pattern which our Hebrew community can apply whenever it faces ‘new thresholds’!

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In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:

Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?

Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is always there and ready to help and guide you!

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PLEASE NOTE: If you need any assistance, just ask, I will assist, and I can also send an email to you, with special items to help you with whatever you may need! Just email me and I will send it to your email. There will no follow up’s whatsoever, or any requests from me, unless you wish further information, (use the email that is located further down this page).

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance! For interest, as you may have discovered, this site has become more a teaching site, bringing our faith closer to its origins!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a number of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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