Jos 3:0-4 | NET2full | STEP | Bright and early the next morning Joshua and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan . They camped there before crossing the river.

Joshua 3:1-4

Israel Crosses the Jordan

1 Bright and early the next morning Joshua and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan. ^{▼▼tn Heb “And Joshua arose early in the morning and he and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan.”} They camped there before crossing the river. ^{▼▼tn The words “the river,” though not in the Hebrew text, have been supplied in the translation for clarity.} 2 After three days the leaders went through the camp 3 and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God ^{▼▼sn The ark of the covenant refers to the wooden chest that symbolized God’s presence among his covenant people.} being carried by the Levitical priests, you must leave here ^{▼▼tn Heb “set out from your place.”} and walk ^{▼▼tn Or “march.”} behind it. 4 But stay about 3,000 feet behind it. ^{▼▼tn Heb “But there should be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in measurement.”} ^{▼▼sn The precise distance is uncertain, but the measurement designated אַמָּה (ʾammah, “cubit”) was probably equivalent to approximately 18 inches, or 45 cm) in length.} Keep your distance ^{▼▼tn Heb “do not approach it.”} so you can see ^{▼▼tn Heb “know.”} which way you should go, for you have not traveled this way before.”