Bible Strands
Joshua 4:8
Thus the Israelites did as Joshua had commanded them. They took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each tribe of Israel, just as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them to the camp, where they set them down.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites carry out Joshua's instruction to retrieve stones from the Jordan riverbed immediately after the crossing narrative concludes. The group then transports the stones to their temporary camp for placement.
The words — The text emphasizes וַ/יַּעֲשׂוּ־ (va/i.ya.'a.su-) for "they did" and כֵ֣ן (khen) for "thus," marking immediate compliance. It also uses וַ/יִּשְׂא֡וּ (va/i.yis.'U) for "they took up," denoting the physical lifting of the stones.
The thread — This action fulfills the directive to retrieve the stones originally given in Joshua 4:3 and parallels the selection command in Joshua 4:2. The stones are later memorialized at Gilgal in Joshua 4:20, while Joshua separately sets up twelve stones in the riverbed in Joshua 4:9.
Why it lands — The verse records a concrete act of retrieval and placement that fulfills a specific command. It requires the reader to recognize that physical memorials are established through deliberate, collective action rather than spontaneous sentiment.
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
And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Cross-references
- Joshua 1:16 So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.
- Joshua 4:2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,
- Joshua 4:20 And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan.