Joshua 4:6-7

4:6 The stones ¹  will be a reminder to you. ²  When your children ask someday, ‘Why are these stones important to you?’ 4:7 tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing ³  before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. ⁴  These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites.”

Joshua 4:21-22

4:21 He told the Israelites, “When your children someday ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones represent?’ ⁵  4:22 explain ⁶  to your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan River ⁷  on dry ground.’

¹ tn Heb “that this may be”; the referent of “this” (the twelve stones) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tn Heb “in order that this might be a sign among you.”

³ tn Heb “were cut off from before.”

⁴ tn Heb “how the waters descending from above stood still.”

⁵ tn Heb “What are these stones?”

⁶ tn Heb “make known.”

⁷ tn Heb “crossed this Jordan”; the word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied to clarify the meaning.