Key Verse Spotlight
Joshua 4:21 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’ "
Joshua 4:21
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.
20 Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, in Gilgal.
21 He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’
22 Then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had crossed over,
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Joshua 4:1
"When all the nation had completely crossed over the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,"
Joshua 4:2
"“Take twelve men out of the people, a man out of every tribe,"
Joshua 4:3
"and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’”"
Joshua 4:4
"Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, a man out of every tribe."
Joshua 4:5
"Joshua said to them, “Cross before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel;"
Joshua 4:6
"that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in the future, saying, ‘What do you mean by these stones?’"
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