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.

JOSHUA 4:18KJV
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Joshua 4:18 (KJV)

What does Joshua 4:18 mean?

Joshua 4:18 describes how, as soon as the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped out of the Jordan River onto dry land, the river’s waters returned to their normal flow and covered its banks as before. This marks the end of the miraculous crossing, showing that the river only stopped while the priests and the ark were in the riverbed.

The verse is set just after the Israelites have crossed the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. The priests, carrying the ark (a sacred chest representing God’s presence), had stood in the middle of the river while the people crossed. As soon as the priests left the riverbed, the water resumed its natural course, emphasizing that the event was a direct act of God tied to the presence of the ark and the obedience of the priests.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 4:18

  • "Ark" (אָרוֹן, ’aron): This word refers to the ark of the covenant, the central symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites. Its movement is closely linked to the miracle, highlighting that the stopping and returning of the waters depended on God’s presence.
  • "Soles" (כַּף, kaph): This word means the very bottom of the priests’ feet. The verse notes that the waters returned only once the soles had fully left the riverbed, stressing the precision and timing of the miracle.
  • "Returned" (שׁוּב, shuv): This verb means to turn back or return. The river’s waters did not just start flowing—they returned to their exact previous state, overflowing the banks as before, underlining the temporary and extraordinary nature of the event.

Why Joshua 4:18 matters

  • Joshua 4:18 clarifies that the miracle of the Jordan’s dry crossing was entirely dependent on God’s presence with the ark and the priests, not on any natural cause.
  • The verse connects the end of the crossing to the beginning, showing that the waters only stopped as long as God directed, reinforcing the Israelites’ trust in God’s timing and power.
  • This detail ties the crossing of the Jordan to the earlier crossing of the Red Sea, reminding readers of God’s consistent faithfulness in leading and protecting His people.

Where else these words appear

“banks” Hebrew H1415 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 3:15 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,)
  • 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:

“land” Hebrew H2724 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 7:22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
  • Joshua 3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
  • Ezekiel 30:12 And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it.

“as” Hebrew H8543 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Exodus 21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
  • 1 Samuel 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

“before” Hebrew H8032 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
  • 1 Samuel 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.