What Does Joshua 4:15 Mean in the King James?

And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

Joshua 4:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

In Hebrew, “spake” and “saying” repeat the same root, so the verse’s next movement is already held within the speech it introduces.

THE MEANING

Here the reader meets the threshold before direction becomes visible: the LORD speaks to Joshua, whose name carries deliverance, and the saying is still opening. The next movement enters through a spoken command.

THE ROOT

וַיֹּאמֶר

wayyōmer

GROWS FROM

אמר

ʾ-m-r

Say, speak

“spake / saying” in this verse is wayyōmer. Both “spake” and “saying” render forms of ⁨אמר⁩ (amar, “to say, speak”). Hebrew repeats the root instead of changing verbs; Joshua 4:16 then gives the utterance its concrete form.

ALSO GROWS

imrah: Utterance, saying

אִמְרָה

This noun from the same root names speech as a formed message, matching the saying this verse opens.

amar: To say, speak

אָמַר

The verb appears in both forms here, linking the act of speaking with the words it introduces.

יְהוֹשֻׁעַ

Yehoshua

GROWS FROM

ישע

y-š-ʿ

Deliver; bring out from constriction into spaciousness

“Joshua” in this verse is Yehoshua. Yehoshua joins the divine name with the root ⁨ישע⁩ (yasha, “deliver”). His name carries deliverance as nature: bringing out of narrowness into spaciousness.

ALSO GROWS

yeshuah: Deliverance

יְשׁוּעָה

This branch makes explicit the deliverance carried in Joshua’s name.

moshia: Deliverer

מוֹשִׁיעַ

This branch names the one who brings another out, echoing the nature compressed in Yehoshua.

THE PATTERN

A spoken word opens and directs the next movement.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Exodus 14:15 · KJVThe LORD’s words direct the people toward their next movement: going forward.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 · KJVThe word that goes forth carries its purpose into action.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Luke 5:4 · KJVA spoken instruction opens the way to Simon’s next action.

THE THREAD

Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.

Joshua 4:16 · KJV

The next verse reveals what the saying holds: a command for the priests carrying the ark to come up from Jordan. The repeated root in 4:15 leads directly into words that move the scene forward.

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