Joshua 4:19-24 Meaning: What Do These Stones Mean?
19The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.
20Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, in Gilgal.
21He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’
22Then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you until you had crossed over, as Yahweh your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had crossed over,
24that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh’s hand is mighty, and that you may fear Yahweh your God forever.’”
19And 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.
20And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
21And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
22Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.
19And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.
20And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, did Joshua set up in Gilgal.
21And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
22then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23For Jehovah your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as Jehovah your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were passed over;
24that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of Jehovah, that it is mighty; that ye may fear Jehovah your God for ever.
19And the people have come up out of the Jordan on the tenth of the first month, and encamp in Gilgal, in the extremity east of Jericho;
20and these twelve stones, which they have taken out of the Jordan, hath Joshua raised up in Gilgal.
21And he speaketh unto the sons of Israel, saying, `When your sons ask their fathers hereafter, saying, What are these stones?
22then ye have caused your sons to know, saying, On dry land Israel passed over this Jordan;
23because Jehovah your God dried up the waters of the Jordan at your presence, till your passing over, as Jehovah your God did to the Red Sea which He dried up at our presence till our passing over;
24so that all the people of the land do know the hand of Jehovah that it is strong, so that ye have reverenced Jehovah your God all the days.'
19And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the eastern extremity of Jericho.
20And those twelve stones which they had taken out of the Jordan did Joshua set up in Gilgal.
21And he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children hereafter ask their fathers, saying, What [mean] these stones?
22then ye shall let your children know, saying, On dry land did Israel come over this Jordan;
23because Jehovah your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you, until ye had passed over, as Jehovah your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had passed over;
24that all peoples of the earth might know the hand of Jehovah, that it is mighty; that ye might fear Jehovah your God continually.
Meaning in one sentence
Joshua 4:19-24 explains the purpose of the twelve stones at Gilgal: to teach future generations about God's power and to call all peoples to fear Him.
Context
The people of Israel have just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, in a miracle that echoes the Red Sea crossing. They emerge from the riverbed on the tenth day of the first month, the very day when, forty years earlier, each family was to select a lamb for the Passover. Joshua sets up twelve stones taken from the middle of the Jordan as a lasting monument. He does not leave the stones to speak for themselves. He tells the people plainly what they are for: when children see the pile and ask, their parents are to tell the story of God drying up the river. The stones are a question mark, designed to start conversations across generations.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give this passage its weight. The verb for “set up” (hēkîm) comes from a root meaning to raise or establish permanently. Joshua did not just drop the stones in a pile. He set them upright so they would stand as a witness. This was an act of intention: he wanted the monument to endure.
The word for “fear” (yārē) does not mean cowering terror. It carries the sense of reverence, awe, and worship. The goal of the memorial was not to frighten people but to draw them into a right relationship with the God who saves.
The phrase “hand of the Lord is mighty” uses the word ḥāzāq for strong. It describes something firm, severe, unstoppable. God’s hand is not weak or hesitant. The stones remind Israel and all nations that the same power that held back the waters holds them now.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree on the central message of this passage: God acts mightily, and His people must remember and teach. Reformed readers like Calvin emphasize that the fear of the Lord is the proper response. Anglican commentators point out that the stones serve both to teach Israel and to witness to the nations. Catholic and Orthodox traditions have seen in the crossing of the Jordan a prefiguring of baptism, and in the twelve stones a symbol of the apostles who proclaim Christ. Together, these perspectives affirm that the memorial is not a relic of the past but a living testimony for every generation.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think the twelve stones were meant only for the people who crossed the Jordan that day. In fact, Joshua makes clear that the memorial exists for future generations, for children who were not yet born. The stones are a tool for passing faith from parents to children, not merely a marker of past events.
Living This Out
This week, you might ask yourself: what “stones” have you set up to remember God’s faithfulness? It could be a journal of answered prayers, a cross on the wall, or a tradition of telling stories at the dinner table. When a child or a newcomer asks about your faith, do you have a story ready? Joshua instructed parents to tell the story simply: “Israel crossed this Jordan on dry land.” You can start with one concrete thing God has done for you. Let that story be the answer to the question someone will ask.
Main takeaway: God saves His people and commands them to set up reminders so that every generation will know His mighty hand and fear Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
The Israelites made a pile of twelve stones to remember that God helped them cross the river. When you see a special rock or a sign, you can ask your mom or dad what it means. They can tell you about a time God helped your family.
For ages 9, 12
God told the parents to teach their children why those stones were there. The stones were a reminder that God stopped the Jordan River so His people could walk across on dry ground. That miracle showed that God is powerful and wants His people to trust Him. When you see a reminder of God’s help, like a cross, a Bible, or a story, it is a chance to learn more about Him.
Questions People Ask
Why did the Israelites enter Canaan on the tenth day of the first month?
This was the same day that, forty years earlier, the Passover lamb was selected (Exodus 12:3). It links the exodus from Egypt with the entry into the Promised Land, showing that God’s deliverance is one continuous story.
What does “fear the Lord” mean in this passage?
The Hebrew word "yārē" means reverence, awe, and worship, not terror. God wants His people to respect His power and trust His goodness, so they will follow Him faithfully.
Why did Joshua set up twelve stones instead of one?
The twelve stones represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe had a part in the miracle and a responsibility to remember. The memorial united all the people in the story.
What is the significance of Gilgal?
Gilgal became the first Israelite camp in Canaan. Later, it was the place where the reproach of Egypt was rolled away (Joshua 5:9). It remained a key location for assemblies and battles.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study