Joshua 3 · Verse 6

Joshua 3:6

And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
Joshua 3:6, King James Version

Joshua 3:6 in other translations

BSBAnd he said to the priests, “Take the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of them.
WEBJoshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and cross over before the people.” They took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
ASVAnd Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
YLTAnd Joshua speaketh unto the priests, saying, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people;' and they take up the ark of the covenant, and go before the people.
DARBYAnd Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and go over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
BBEThen Joshua said to the priests, Take up the ark of the agreement and go over in front of the people. So they took up the ark of the agreement and went in front of the people.
WebsterAnd Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

What does Joshua 3:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. Joshua spake unto the priests--This order to the priests would be given privately, and involving as it did an important change in the established order of march, it must be considered as announced in the name and by the authority of God. Moreover, as soon as the priests stepped into the waters of Jordan, they were to stand still. The ark was to accomplish what had been done by the rod of Moses. Jos 3:7, 8. The Lord Encourages Joshua.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark - It is remarkable that the priests, not the Levites, whose ordinary business it was were employed to carry the ark on this occasion. Calmet conjectures that this was because it was probably carried without being wrapped up in its curtains, as it always was when the Levites carried it. Though it was the business of the Levites, the sons of Kohath, to carry the ark; yet on certain occasions the priests alone performed this office. 1. In the present case. 2. When they encompassed Jericho, Jos 6:6. 3. When it was carried to the war against the Philistines by the priests, the sons of Eli, 2Sam 15:25. 4. When David sent it back to Jerusalem, at the time he was obliged to fly from it, through the rebellion of his son Absalom, 2Sam 15:25; and, 5. At the time that it was taken out of the tabernacle, to be deposited in the temple; see 1Kgs 8:6-11. These were the most solemn occasions, and on such alone, we may presume, the priests performed this office instead of the Levites. In all their former marches the ark was carried in the center of this immense camp; (see the scheme at the end of Num 2:2 (note) of the book of Numbers); but now it was to proceed at the head of the army, and to go before them, and at such a distance, about three quarters of a mile, that the whole camp might see it as their guide.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Joshua 3:1-6

The Lord encourages joshua--Joshua encourages the people. (7-13) The Israelites pass through Jordan on dry land. (14-17) Verses 1-6 The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it. In the way of duty, let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his early rising, as afterwards upon other occasions, which shows how little he…

Read the full comment on Joshua 3:1-6 →

Joshua 3:6 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ye.ho.Shu.a'JoshuaH3091
אֶל\־'el-toH413
הַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםha.ko.ha.Nimthe priestsH3548
לֵאמֹ֔רle.Mor<to> sayingH559
שְׂאוּ֙se.'Ulift upH5375
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
אֲר֣וֹן'a.Ron[the] ark ofH727
הַבְּרִ֔יתha.be.Ritthe covenantH1285
וְעִבְר֖וּve.'iv.Ruand pass overH5674
לִפְנֵ֣יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440
הָעָ֑םha.'Amthe peopleH5971
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙vai.yis.'Uand they lifted upH5375
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
אֲר֣וֹן'a.Ron[the] ark ofH727
הַבְּרִ֔יתha.be.Ritthe covenantH1285
וַיֵּלְכ֖וּvai.ye.le.Khuand they wentH1980
לִפְנֵ֥יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440
הָעָֽם\׃\ \סha.'Amthe peopleH5971

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Joshua 3:6

  • Numbers 10:33

    And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.

  • John 14:2-3

    In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

  • Joshua 3:3

    And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

  • Micah 2:13

    The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.

  • Numbers 14:15

    Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,

  • Hebrews 6:20

    Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Take up.
3; Nu 14:15; 10:33; Mic 2:13; Joh 14:2,3; Heb 6:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Joshua 3:5

    And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

  • Joshua 3:6

    And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

  • Joshua 3:7

    And 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.

Read all of Joshua 3

Joshua 3:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y habló Josué á los sacerdotes, diciendo: Tomad el arca del pacto, y pasad delante del pueblo. Y ellos tomaron el arca del pacto, y fueron delante del pueblo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Josué parla aux sacrificateurs, disant: Chargez sur vous l’arche de l’alliance, et passez devant le peuple. Et ils chargèrent sur eux l’arche de l’alliance, et marchèrent devant le peuple.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Josua sprach zu den Priestern und sagte: Nehmet die Lade des Bundes auf und ziehet vor dem Volke hinüber. Und sie nahmen die Lade des Bundes auf und zogen vor dem Volke her.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et ait ad sacerdotes: Tollite arcam fœderis, et præcedite populum. Qui jussa complentes, tulerunt, et ambulaverunt ante eos.