And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua isn't just setting up memorial stones; he's initiating a sacred conversation across generations. The verse anticipates children asking their parents, highlighting that the monument's purpose hinges on passing down faith and stories, not just on the stones themselves. This prompts parents to actively teach, ensuring God's mighty acts aren't forgotten and that their children truly know and fear Him.
And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, Joshua instructs the Israelites to set up twelve memorial stones as a reminder of God's powerful intervention. He then addresses the people, emphasizing that these stones are not just for their generation but are intended to spark curiosity and teach future generations about this pivotal moment. This action is part of a larger command to ensure God's mighty deeds are never forgotten, even among those born long after the events occurred.
Imagine setting up a monument that will be talked about for centuries. Why are these stones so important, and how do they bridge the gap between generations?
Joshua 4 is all about remembering. The twelve stones, taken from the very middle of the Jordan River as it dried up, weren't just rocks. They were a physical, undeniable reminder of God's miraculous power in bringing His people into the Promised Land.
A Living Memorial
Joshua's instruction is clear: when the children ask about the stones, parents are to tell the story. This wasn't meant to be a dusty history lesson but a vibrant, ongoing testimony. The stones acted as a prompt, sparking conversations that would keep God's mighty acts alive in the hearts of His people.
Connecting Past and Future
What's remarkable is how this remembrance connects generations. Even though future children wouldn't have seen the Jordan dry up with their own eyes, the stones and the stories would make them feel like they were there. God's faithfulness to the ancestors was seen as faithfulness to them, too, solidifying their identity as His chosen people.
These aren't just ordinary stones. They are deliberately placed to provoke questions and, ultimately, point to something far greater. What's the ultimate purpose behind this memorial?
The stones of Gilgal served a dual purpose: to remind the Israelites of God's power and to declare it to the whole world.
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Witness to Nations
Joshua 4:24 explicitly states that the stones were set up 'so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty.' This wasn't just for internal consumption within Israel; it was a public declaration to surrounding nations.
Evidence of God's Might
By placing these stones, Israel was given a powerful, visible testimony to God's sovereignty. It was a way to force recognition of the true God, compelling even unbelievers to acknowledge His power, whether they wanted to or not. It showcased that God's intervention was not a mere coincidence but a deliberate act of might.
This verse is embedded in the foundational moments of Israel's new life in the Promised Land. The memorial stones served as a tangible, visual reminder of God's powerful intervention, prompting future generations to learn and remember His faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan River, its waters parting for them. This event marked their entry into the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering.
c. 1446 BC
Circumcision and Passover Renewal at Gilgal
Immediately after crossing the Jordan, the Israelites renewed the practice of circumcision and celebrated the Passover in their first camp at Gilgal.
c. 1446 BC
The Fall of Jericho
Shortly after settling at Gilgal, the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days, and its walls miraculously fell, leading to the city's conquest.
c. 1446 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following Jericho, Joshua led the Israelites in a series of campaigns to conquer the Canaanite inhabitants and claim the land promised to Abraham.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua's Death
After years of conquest and dividing the land among the tribes, Joshua died at the age of 110.
This passage describes the same concept of parents explaining historical and miraculous events to their children, highlighting the importance of remembering God's mighty acts.
Deuteronomy 6:20-25This passage emphasizes the responsibility of parents to teach their children about God's laws and the significance of His actions, mirroring Joshua's instruction to pass down the meaning of the stones.
Psalm 78:1-7This psalm is a direct example of passing down historical accounts of God's faithfulness and miracles, encouraging future generations to trust in Him, much like the purpose of the stones in Joshua.
1 Corinthians 10:11This New Testament passage draws a parallel between the Old Testament events and the experiences of believers, noting that these historical accounts were written down as warnings and lessons for all generations.
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 4:21: "And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?"
21 . When your children ] Nothing is more carefully inculcated in the Law than the duty of parents to teach their children not only its precepts and principles, but the meaning of all the great historical events in their national existence. (Comp. Exodus 12:26 ; Exodus 13:8 ; Exodus 13:14 ; Deuteronomy 4:5 ; Deuteronomy 4:9-10 .)
Joshua isn't just setting up memorial stones; he's initiating a sacred conversation across generations. The verse anticipates children asking their parents, highlighting that the monument's purpose hinges on passing down faith and stories, not just on the stones themselves. This prompts parents to actively teach, ensuring God's mighty acts aren't forgotten and that their children truly know and fear Him.
Following their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, Joshua instructs the Israelites to set up twelve memorial stones as a reminder of God's powerful intervention. He then addresses the people, emphasizing that these stones are not just for their generation but are intended to spark curiosity and teach future generations about this pivotal moment. This action is part of a larger command to ensure God's mighty deeds are never forgotten, even among those born long after the events occurred.
Following their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, Joshua instructs the Israelites to set up twelve memorial stones as a reminder of God's powerful intervention. He then addresses the people, emphasizing that these stones are not just for their generation but are intended to spark curiosity and teach future generations about this pivotal moment. This action is part of a larger command to ensure God's mighty deeds are never forgotten, even among those born long after the events occurred.
"And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’" — Joshua isn't just setting up memorial stones; he's initiating a sacred conversation across generations. The verse anticipates children asking their parents, highlighting that the monument's purpose…
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Last reviewed October 2026