Bible Strands
Joshua 4:23
For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua addresses the Israelite generation that has just crossed the Jordan, instructing them to recount the event to future descendants at Gilgal.
The words — הוֹבִישׁ (ho.Vish) denotes the active removal of water, while מִפְּנֵיכֶם (mi.pe.nei.khem) specifies the waters were withdrawn directly from the people's path.
The thread — The text parallels the Jordan crossing with the Red Sea crossing, echoing the deliverance described in Exodus 14:21 and the divine path-making of Isaiah 43:16 and Isaiah 63:12.
Why it lands — The verse commands readers to trace God’s past interventions as a pattern for current reliance, requiring them to acknowledge His consistent power before acting in obedience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
Cross-references
- Exodus 14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided,
- Isaiah 43:16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,
- Isaiah 63:12 who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,
- Nehemiah 9:11 You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters.
- Psalms 77:16 The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.
- Psalms 78:13 He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall.