Pentecost Season · Proper 26 · Year A
Joshua 3:7-17
Crossing the Jordan
November 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Today I will begin to exalt you… so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” (Joshua 3:7)
Crossing Over the Jordan: The action of the story slows down in the crossing narrative (Josh. 3–4). Commands are repeated and events are described in laborious detail to indicate the importance of crossing the Jordan for the faith of Israel. The narrator also describes a liturgical drama that would be used for instruction of the young. The fords of the Jordan River and then Gilgal, the camp after Israel crossed the river, become the central locations for the narrative and the events to follow. The Israelite narrator’s point of view dominates the two chapters. Officers, Joshua, the Lord, and finally Joshua again give commands. Then the tribes cross the Jordan as a result of their obedience and God’s miracle.
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Commentary
Commentary on Joshua 3:7-17 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Year A reading by a named seminary scholar.
Joshua 3 - Israel Crosses the Jordan Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the ark, the priests, and the parted river.
Joshua 3:7 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the crossing of the Jordan.
Joshua 3:7 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Joshua 3 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Joshua 3 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
The Hebrew of the narrative alongside English with linked Jewish commentary for the OT reading.
Joshua 3:7 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Book of Joshua Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Joshua that frames the entry into the promised land.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How does Israel cross the Jordan?
As the priests carrying the ark step into the flooded Jordan, the waters stand in a heap and Israel crosses on dry ground (Joshua 3), an echo of the Red Sea and a sign that God is with Joshua as with Moses.
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