Joshua 4 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter finishes the story of how the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, even though it was at flood stage and overflowing its banks, because Yahweh stopped its waters from flowing.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Victory through the power of Yahweh

The conquest of the land of Canaan was accomplished by Yahweh’s power, which he showed to be greater than that of all the kings in the land of Canaan. Joshua recognized that the Israelites would only be victorious through Yahweh’s power. This is why his first act after crossing the Jordan River was to have them build a monument of stones from the river as a witness to Yahweh’s power.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Chiasm

Hebrew poetry sometimes uses a literary device called a “chiasm.” A chiasm is when words or phrases are ordered in a AB-BA sequence. This helps make a saying more memorable. Joshua uses a chiasm in 4:7 when he tells the Israelites what to say to their children when they ask about the monument of stones:

A Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off B from the face of the Box of the Covenant of Yahweh. B In its crossing over in the Jordan, A the waters of the Jordan were cut off.

You may be able to present this in your translation in a way that shows this literary device.