Translation commentary on Joshua 3:2 - 3:3

For Three days later see 1.11; for the leaders see 1.10.

When you see the priests carrying the Covenant Box of the LORD your God translates the Hebrew “When you see the Covenant Box of the LORD your God and the Levitical priests carrying it.” This is structure that occurs quite frequently in Hebrew, and it is technically known as a hendiadys, or the conveying of one idea through two coordinate structures. In the hendiadys the “and” functions to unite the two thoughts into one, as can be seen in most translations. For further discussion of this type of construction, see comments on prosperous and successful at 1.8.

The priests represents the Hebrew “the Levitical priests” (see Revised Standard Version), a typical formula for referring to the Israelite priests. In the thinking of the editor of this material (see Deut 18.1) there is only one priesthood, that is, there are no regular priests other than those of the tribe of Levi. So Good News Translation has the priests, since “the Levitical priests” implies that there were priests who were not Levites (but see Good News Translation in 8.33). It is important in translation not to convey the false notion that some priests were not Levites, as “the Levitical priests” might suggest. The Hebrew is in fact literally “the priests, the Levites,” in which “the Levites” is an appositional. The term was important to the final editor of the Joshua text, but it is quite capable of being misunderstood by readers other than those for whom the text was originally intended.

The Covenant Box of the LORD (traditionally called “the ark of the covenant”; so King James Version [King James Version], Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible) was the portable chest in which were kept the two stone tablets on which were inscribed the Ten Commandments. On top of the chest were the winged creatures representing the earthly throne of God (see the description of the Covenant Box in Exo 25.10-22; 37.1-9). It was called the Covenant Box because the Ten Commandments represented the agreement, pact, covenant that the Lord made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai (see Deut 29.1-15). The Covenant Box of the LORD should be rendered in such a way as to indicate that its primary function is to serve as a witness to the covenant between God and his people. One may translate “the Box of (or, containing) God’s Laws and Promises.”

It may be useful or even necessary to indicate the place to which the priests were carrying the Covenant Box, for example, “out of the camp.” One may also translate “in the direction of the Jordan River,” or even combine the two, “out of the camp in the direction of the Jordan River.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 3:3

3:3a

and: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and indicates the next event in the story.

commanded the people: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:

they told the people

3:3b

When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ark refers to a “box” or a “chest.”

The ark of the covenant was a box made of acacia wood and covered with gold (see Exodus 25:10-22). Inside the box were the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. It also contained a pot of manna and Aaron’s walking stick. On top of it were two gold winged creatures called “cherubim.” The box reminded the Israelites of the covenant that Yahweh made with them. It was a sign that Yahweh promised to be with them. When you translate this term, choose a short phrase that describes the box or explains its purpose.

If you have translated the New Testament, see how you translated ark of the covenant in Hebrews 9:4 or Revelation 11:19.

Here are some ways to translate this term:

covenant box
-or-
holy chest
-or-
box of God’s covenant
-or-
golden box

the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God: Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the covenant box which shows that Yahweh your God is with you

covenant: A covenant is a formal agreement between two groups of people. God made a covenant with the people of Israel in which God and the people promised to be faithful to each other. See Genesis 17:1-21.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

agreement
-or-
promise

of the LORD your God: The phrase the LORD your God was used in Joshua 1:9c. See how you translated the phrase in that verse.

your God: Joshua was one of the Israelite people. In some languages it may be more natural to say:

Yahweh our God

being carried by the Levitical priests: Four priests worked together to carry the covenant box on poles that rested on their shoulders. If your language has several verbs for “carry” you should choose an appropriate one.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

which the Levitical priests carried ⌊on poles over their shoulders⌋

Levitical priests: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Levitical priests is literally “the priests, the Levites.” The priests were descendants of Levi and belonged to the tribe of Levi. All the priests were Levites.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

the priests, the Levites
-or-
the priests of the Levi tribe

If this implies that there are some priests who are not of the Levi tribe, it is possible to say “the priests” and put a literal translation in a footnote.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

When you see the covenant box of Yahweh your God that the priests of the Levi tribe are carrying
-or-
You will see the Levites, the priests, carrying the golden box of Yahweh your God

priests: The priests were people who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. You should translate this term in the same way as in the New Testament. See, for example, Mark 1:44.

3:3c

The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translate as “then” indicates the next thing that the Israelites must do.

you are to set out from your positions: The clause you are to set out from your positions is a command. The officers told the people to leave the place where they were camping, and to start walking.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

leave the place where you are camped

and follow it: The pronoun it refers to the covenant box.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and go behind the covenant box

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Then you must start to walk from your camp and go behind it
-or-
Then you should leave your camping place and follow the covenant box

General Comment on 3:3b-c

The Hebrew sentence gives prominence to the covenant box, not to the priests. The people were told to follow the covenant box. If possible, translate this sentence in a way that gives prominence to the covenant box. For example:

When you see the covenant box and the priests who are carrying it, then you should follow the covenant box

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