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.

JOSHUA 4:19KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 4:19 (KJV)

What does Joshua 4:19 mean?

Joshua 4:19 describes the Israelites coming up from the Jordan River on the tenth day of the first month and setting up camp at Gilgal, on the eastern edge of Jericho. This verse marks the exact time and place where the people of Israel entered the land of Canaan after crossing the Jordan.

The verse is part of the account where Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. The people have just crossed the Jordan River, a major event after their long journey from Egypt. The mention of the "tenth day of the first month" ties this moment to the timing of the Passover, showing its significance. Gilgal becomes their first encampment in Canaan, just east of Jericho, setting the stage for what happens next in the story.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 4:19

  • The word for "people" (עָם, ʿam, H5971) refers to the whole community of Israel, emphasizing that this was a collective, national event.
  • "Encamped" (חָנָה, chanah, H2583) means to set up camp or settle temporarily, highlighting that Gilgal was their first organized stop in the new land.
  • "Gilgal" (גִּלְגָּל, Gilgal, H1537) is a place name meaning "circle" or "wheel," possibly referring to the shape of the camp or a significant landmark, and it becomes an important location in Israel's early history in Canaan.
  • "East" (מִזְרָח, mizrach, H4217) and "border" (קָצֶה, qatseh, H7097) together specify the precise location of their camp—on the eastern side of Jericho—helping readers picture the geography of the event.

Why Joshua 4:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies the timing of Israel's entry into Canaan, connecting it to the Passover and showing God's faithfulness to promises made generations earlier.
  • The mention of Gilgal as their first camp highlights its later role as a base for Israel's early activities in the land, including the setting up of memorial stones.
  • By giving the exact date and place, the verse grounds the story in real time and space, making the crossing of the Jordan a concrete, historical event rather than a vague tradition.

Where else these words appear

“tenth” Hebrew H6218 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
  • Numbers 29:7 And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
  • Jeremiah 52:4 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

“Gilgal” Hebrew H1537 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • Joshua 15:7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
  • 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

“Jericho” Hebrew H3405 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
  • Joshua 18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

“east” Hebrew H4217 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
  • Joshua 16:6 And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
  • 2 Chronicles 4:4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.