Bible Strands
Joshua 4:24
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Joshua addresses Israel immediately after the Jordan crossing, explaining the purpose of the memorial stones and the miraculous parting of the waters.
The words — The Hebrew לְמַעַן (lema'an) functions as a purposive conjunction meaning "so as" or "in order that." The phrase יַד יְהוָה (yad Yahweh) literally translates to "hand of Yahweh," denoting His active, exerted power.
The thread — The motif of God's mighty hand appears in 1 Kings 8:42, which pairs His mighty hand with His outstretched arm, and in Psalms 89:13, which declares His hand strong and exalted. Psalms 106:8 similarly notes that God acts to make His power known.
Why it lands — The text states that the miracle occurred so all peoples may know Yahweh's might and Israel may continually fear God. Readers are asked to recognize divine power as the basis for reverence and 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
That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.
Cross-references
- Psalms 106:8 Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.
- 1 Kings 8:42 for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,
- Psalms 89:13 Mighty is Your arm; strong is Your hand. Your right hand is exalted.
- Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.
- Exodus 15:16 and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.
- 2 Kings 19:19 And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.
- Deuteronomy 6:2 so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged.
- Exodus 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
- Exodus 20:20 “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”