Jordan Parts for Israel

Illustration of Jordan Parts for Israel

The parting of the Jordan River occurred as the Israelites, led by Joshua after Moses' death, prepared to enter Canaan following forty years of wilderness wandering. Priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the flooded river, prompting God to halt its flow upstream so the entire nation could cross on dry ground opposite Jericho. This event confirmed Joshua's leadership, echoed the Red Sea miracle from the Exodus, and fulfilled God's covenant promise to give Abraham's descendants the land. In Scripture it marks the transition from nomadic life to conquest, underscoring divine faithfulness and power at the threshold of the Promised Land.

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Details

Category
Nature
Testament
Old Testament
Performed by
God

Key Passages

Jordan River Crossing

Joshua 3:14-17

A14nd it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

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,) 16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 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.

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Did You Know?

1

When the priests carrying the Ark stepped into the Jordan, the water stopped flowing upstream.

2

The people crossed on dry ground, just as their parents had crossed the Red Sea.

3

Twelve stones were taken from the riverbed and set up at Gilgal as a memorial.

4

This miracle confirmed Joshua as Moses' successor and marked the entry into the Promised Land.