And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

JOSHUA 3:15KJV
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Joshua 3:15 (KJV)

What does Joshua 3:15 mean?

Joshua 3:15 describes the moment when the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan River, and as soon as their feet touched the edge of the overflowing water, something significant was about to happen. The verse notes that the Jordan River was at flood stage during the harvest, making crossing it especially challenging.

In this scene, the Israelites are following Joshua’s leadership as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The priests, carrying the ark (a sacred chest representing God’s presence), lead the way and step into the river at its most dangerous time. The verse sets up the miracle that follows, emphasizing the difficulty and risk involved by noting the river’s swollen state.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 3:15

  • יָרֵךְ (yarek, H7097) — "brim": This word points to the very edge or lip of the river, highlighting that the priests only needed to touch the outermost part of the water for the event to unfold.
  • מָלֵא (male, H4390) — "overfloweth": This verb means "to be full" or "to overflow," stressing that the Jordan was not just at its normal level but was spilling over its banks, making the crossing seem impossible.
  • קָצֶה (qatseh, H1415) — "banks": This word refers to the outer boundaries or edges of the river, reinforcing the idea that the water had spread far beyond its usual limits.

Why Joshua 3:15 matters

  • Joshua 3:15 clarifies that the crossing of the Jordan was not a simple or routine event; the river was at its most dangerous, which heightens the sense of miracle in what follows.
  • The verse emphasizes the faith and obedience of the priests, who stepped into the water before any visible change occurred, trusting in God’s instructions.
  • By mentioning the time of harvest and the river’s flooding, Joshua 3:15 connects the event to the agricultural calendar, grounding the story in a real and challenging historical setting.

Where else these words appear

“banks” Hebrew H1415 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 4:18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.
  • Isaiah 8:7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

“dipped” Hebrew H2881 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
  • Leviticus 14:6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
  • Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

“harvest” Hebrew H7105 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  • 1 Samuel 8:12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
  • Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

“brim” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.