Joshua 3:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people are told to follow the ark of the covenant, borne by the priests, as their guide across the river.
What Does Joshua 3:3 Mean?
The officers give the order: when the people see the ark of the covenant lifted on the shoulders of the priests, they are to break camp and follow. The ark, the gilded chest that held the tokens of God's covenant, was the visible sign of His presence going before them.
Israel is to set its course by where God leads, not by its own reckoning. The ark goes first, and the people come after. So the life of faith is ordered: we keep our eyes on the presence of the Lord and move as He moves. To follow the ark is to let God set the pace and the path, trusting His presence to bring us safely through.
Joshua 3:3 in the Original Language
aron (אֲרוֹן), 'ark' -- a chest or coffer, here the covenant chest crowned by the mercy seat where God met His people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 3:3
What does Joshua 3:3 mean?
The people are told to follow the ark of the covenant, borne by the priests, as their guide across the river.