Section 3:1-17 The Israelites crossed the Jordan River
The Israelites waited three days beside the Jordan and then crossed the river. The priests carried the ark and led the way. As soon as the priests stepped into the river, the water stopped flowing, and everyone was able to cross the river on dry ground.
Paragraph 3:1-4
The Israelites left Shittim to go near the Jordan River, and set up camp there. Three days later they received instructions to set out and follow the ark, which was carried by the priests.
3:1a
This is the beginning of a new story. It takes place the day after the spies returned from their trip to Jericho. In some languages it may be natural to start this new story with a phrase that sets the time, such as:
Early the next morning
-or-
The next day
Start this new episode in a way that is natural in your language.
Early the next morning Joshua got up: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Early the next morning…got up can also be translated as “make an early start” or “leave early in the morning.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
The next morning Joshua got up early to leave
-or-
The next day Joshua left early in the morning
and: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and indicates the next action in the story.
left Shittim with all the Israelites: The subject of the verb left is plural. It refers to all the Israelites. This is a characteristic of Hebrew narrative style. The first verb “rose” refers to Joshua and highlights his importance. The second verb “set out” indicates that all the Israelites participated in the action.
All the Israelites got up early and left along with Joshua. Some languages may need to make this clear.
Here is another way to translate this sentence:
Joshua and all the people of Israel got up early in the morning and set out
Shittim: The term Shittim refers to the camping place that was mentioned in verse 2:1a. Translate it the same way you did there.
with all the Israelites: The Berean Standard Bible has moved the phrase with all the Israelites to this part of the verse because it makes more sense in English. In the Hebrew text this phrase is in verse 3:1b.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
Joshua and all the people of Israel got up early in the morning to leave ⌊the camp⌋ . They set out from Shittim
-or-
The next day Joshua and all the Israelites got ready early and left Shittim Campground.
3:1b
The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translate as “and” indicates the next event in the story.
went as far as the Jordan: The clause went as far as the Jordan indicates that Joshua and all the Israelites traveled to the Jordan River, which was approximately seven miles to the west.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
and arrived at the Jordan River
-or-
They went ⌊west⌋ to the Jordan River
3:1c
where they camped: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as camped means that they set up their tents and stayed near the Jordan River. In v. 2 it says that they stayed there for three days. In some languages it may be more natural to repeat that as implied information in this verse.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
and they camped there
-or-
and they stayed ⌊near the Jordan River for three days⌋
3:1d
before crossing over: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:
before they crossed ⌊the Jordan River⌋
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