The parting of the Jordan River was a miraculous event that marked Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. It mirrored the earlier crossing of the Red Sea under Moses and served as a powerful confirmation that God was with Joshua just as He had been with Moses.
The account is found in Joshua 3:13–17. As the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the Jordan, the waters stopped flowing:
“The waters which came down from upstream stood still… and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.” (Joshua 3:16)
The Jordan was at flood stage during this time (Joshua 3:15), making the miracle even more dramatic. God caused the waters to pile up in a heap far upstream, allowing the entire nation of Israel to cross on dry ground.
This event was a sign that God was fulfilling His promise to give the land to Israel and that He would go before them in battle. Joshua 4:23–24 reflects on the purpose of this miracle:
“For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you… that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty.”
God commanded Joshua to have twelve stones taken from the riverbed and set up as a memorial so that future generations would remember what He had done.
The parting of the Jordan River shows God’s power to remove impossible obstacles, His faithfulness to His promises, and His ability to lead His people through by miraculous means when they follow Him in obedience.
