3:13a
The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated and many English versions translate as “And” is more literally “and it will be.” It indicates what will happen next.
When: The Hebrew construction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as When can also be translated “as soon as.” This indicates that when the priests stepped in the water, the water stopped flowing immediately.
the feet of the priests: The feet refers to the bottom part of the foot. Many English translations leave this information implicit. For example:
the feet of the priests (NET Bible)
who carry: Here is another way to translate this term:
who carry ⌊on poles on their shoulders⌋
the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth: This expression is like, but not quite the same as, the expression in 3:11.
the ark of the LORD: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as LORD is “Yahweh,” the name of God.
the Lord of all the earth: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord can also be translated as “master” or “ruler.” It is not the same as the name Yahweh.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
Then, when the feet of the priests who carry the covenant box of Yahweh, the master of all the earth,
-or-
The priests will carry the holy chest of Yahweh, the ruler of all the earth. When their feet…
3:13b
touch down in the waters of the Jordan: The clause touch down in the waters of the Jordan indicates that the priests’ feet will stand in the Jordan River.
the waters of the Jordan: the phrase the waters of the Jordan refers to the Jordan River. The Hebrew word for water always occurs in the plural. In English it usually occurs in the singular. Use the form that is natural in your language.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
the priests put their feet into the water of the Jordan River
-or-
the priests step into the Jordan River
3:13c
its flowing waters will be cut off: This clause is more literally “the waters of the Jordan will be cut off.” This is a passive sentence.
Here are two ways to translate this passive sentence:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
its waters flowing downstream will be cut off (New International Version)
• Use an active verb. Here are some ways to translate it with an active verb:
the waters coming downstream toward you will stop flowing (NET Bible)
-or-
God will stop the water from flowing down toward you
Use the form that is most natural in your language.
its flowing waters: The phrase its flowing waters refers to the Jordan River that was flowing down from its source at a higher place to the place where the Israelites were.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
the water that flows down toward you
3:13d
will stand up in a heap: The clause will stand up in a heap indicates that the water of the Jordan River would stand up like a wall in one place. Instead of continuing to flow along the riverbed where the Israelites were about to cross, the water piled up at a distance up the river.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
will stand like a wall
-or-
will pile up in one place (Good News Translation)
General Comment on 3:13c-d
In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of 3:13c and 3:13d. For example:
13d the water will pile up in a heap upstream 13c and will not flow down toward you
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