Crossing the Jordan
A biblical theme tracing Israel's anticipated passage over the Jordan, its dry-ground crossing, and later conflicts at its fords.
The Bible presents crossing the Jordan as Israel's passage into the land being given to them, followed by accounts of the crossing itself and later struggles over the river's fords. The word or idea recurs in at least 23 verses across 3 books and 16 episodes.
In Deuteronomy, the anticipated crossing is connected with entering, possessing, and settling in the land. The text also associates it with instructions to set up whitewashed stones and with blessings spoken on Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11:31; Deuteronomy 27:2; Deuteronomy 27:12). One passage says that crossing and settling would be followed by rest from surrounding enemies and security (Deuteronomy 12:10).
Joshua records the people setting out, with priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of them (Joshua 3:14). It says the priests stood on dry ground while all Israel crossed, and later describes stones as a memorial that the waters were cut off before the ark (Joshua 3:17; Joshua 4:7). Joshua also recalls that Israel crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho (Joshua 24:11).
In Judges, the Jordan's fords become contested crossings: Gilead captured them against Ephraim, while another account says men seized the fords against Moab (Judges 12:5; Judges 3:28).
Key verses
Across Scripture
Deuteronomy · Joshua · Judges