And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to see these stones as just a simple pile, but the text hints that Joshua set them up in a way that would deliberately catch the eye. This wasn't just a casual heap; it was arranged with purpose so that generations later, kids would ask, "What are these stones for?" making the miraculous crossing of the Jordan impossible to forget.
And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, Joshua establishes a memorial by setting up twelve stones taken from the riverbed in Gilgal. This act serves as a physical reminder for future generations, prompting them to ask about its meaning and thus enabling parents to recount God's miraculous intervention in delivering Israel from Egypt and bringing them into the Promised Land. This monument, along with the ongoing recounting of God's faithfulness, aims to instill awe and fear of God among both Israelites and surrounding nations.
Why did Joshua set up those twelve stones? It wasn't just a random pile, but a powerful reminder meant to last through generations.
The Stones of Memory
The twelve stones taken from the Jordan River weren't just rocks; they were a deliberate monument. Joshua pitched them in Gilgal, likely arranging them to be conspicuous and memorable.
A Visual Storytelling Tool
Imagine fathers pointing to these stones centuries later. The stones served as a physical prompt for the question: "What do these stones mean?" This wasn't accidental. The positioning of the stones was meant to spark curiosity and initiate a vital conversation between parents and children.
Connecting Generations
Through this monument, God ensured His mighty act of parting the Jordan would be remembered. It wasn't just a historical event for those present; it became a shared inheritance for all future Israelites, reminding them that God's faithfulness extended to them, even if they weren't born when the miracle happened.
The stones were placed in Gilgal. What's significant about this location, and why was it chosen for such an important monument?
The Significance of Gilgal
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Gilgal was more than just a campsite; it was a place rich with divine significance for the Israelites.
A Gateway to the Promised Land
This was the very first place the Israelites encamped after crossing the Jordan River. It marked their official entry into the Promised Land. It was a place of transition, leaving the wilderness behind and stepping into God's provision.
A Site of Covenant Renewal
Crucially, Gilgal later became the site where Joshua renewed the covenant by commanding circumcision for the new generation. It was also where they celebrated their first Passover in the land and where the Tabernacle was initially set up. These events underscore Gilgal as a place where God's covenant people reaffirmed their commitment to Him and experienced His presence and blessings.
These stones weren't just for Israel; they were intended for the whole world to see. What does this tell us about God's plans?
A Global Declaration
The monument at Gilgal was a public declaration of God's power, meant to be seen and understood by all nations.
Proclaiming God's Omnipotence
Joshua explicitly states that the purpose of the stones was "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty" (Joshua 4:24). This was a divine billboard, showcasing God's sovereign power over nature and His faithfulness to His people.
Extorting Confession
While not every nation would come to truly worship Yahweh, the display of His might was intended to force a recognition of His existence and power. Even enemies would be compelled to confess that the God of Israel was the true God. This challenges us to consider how our lives, as His people, can be a testimony to the world of God's mighty hand at work.
The memorial stones at Gilgal served as a potent reminder for future generations, connecting them to the divine power displayed at the Jordan crossing and reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people.
~1446 BC— this verse
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites miraculously cross the Jordan River, which had been miraculously held back, to enter the Promised Land.
~1446 BC
Stones Erected at Gilgal
Joshua sets up twelve memorial stones at Gilgal, taken from the Jordan River, to commemorate the miraculous crossing.
~1446 BC
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
The Israelites are circumcised at Gilgal, and celebrate their first Passover in the Promised Land, signifying a new beginning.
~1446 BC - ~1406 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
Joshua leads the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan and the subsequent division of the land among the twelve tribes.
This passage highlights the importance of explaining God's mighty acts to future generations, mirroring Joshua's command to use the stones as a teaching tool.
Deuteronomy 6:20-24This emphasizes that the historical accounts of God's deliverance are meant to instruct children and secure their heritage of faith, just as the stones in Gilgal served this purpose.
Psalm 78:3-7The psalmist calls for the recounting of God's wonderful works to future generations, a clear parallel to the enduring purpose of the memorial stones set up by Joshua.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4Paul explicitly compares the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea and their subsequent journey to a 'baptism unto Moses,' and by extension, the Jordan crossing can be seen as a foundational event for Joshua's leadership and the people's new life, with the stones serving as a tangible reminder.
Hosea 4:15This prophetic passage cautions against repeating the sins of places like Gilgal, indicating the stones, while intended for remembrance, later became associated with idolatry or improper worship, showing how even sacred memorials can be misused.
calvinJoshua 4:19-24: "And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho."
- And the people came up, etc Why the day on which they entered the land, and first encamped in it, is marked, we shall see in next chapter. But the name of Gilgal is given to the first station by anticipation, for this new name was afterwards given to it by Joshua on the renewal of circumcision; its etymology will be explained in its own place. Mo…
cambridgeJoshua 4:20: "And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal."
20 . those twelve stones ] which seem to have been invested with a reverence which came to be regarded at last as idolatrous ( Hosea 4:15 ; Hosea 9:15 ; Amos 4:4 ; Amos 5:5 ).
It's easy to see these stones as just a simple pile, but the text hints that Joshua set them up in a way that would deliberately catch the eye. This wasn't just a casual heap; it was arranged with purpose so that generations later, kids would ask, "What are these stones for?" making the miraculous crossing of the Jordan impossible to forget.
Having just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, Joshua establishes a memorial by setting up twelve stones taken from the riverbed in Gilgal. This act serves as a physical reminder for future generations, prompting them to ask about its meaning and thus enabling parents to recount God's miraculous intervention in delivering Israel from Egypt and bringing them into the Promised Land. This monument, along with the ongoing recounting of God's faithfulness, aims to instill awe and fear of God among both Israelites and surrounding nations.
Having just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, Joshua establishes a memorial by setting up twelve stones taken from the riverbed in Gilgal. This act serves as a physical reminder for future generations, prompting them to ask about its meaning and thus enabling parents to recount God's miraculous intervention in delivering Israel from Egypt and bringing them into the Promised Land. This monument, along with the ongoing recounting of God's faithfulness, aims to instill awe and fear of God among both Israelites and surrounding nations.
"And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal." — It's easy to see these stones as just a simple pile, but the text hints that Joshua set them up in a way that would deliberately catch the eye. This wasn't just a casual heap; it was arranged with pu…
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Last reviewed October 2026