Definition: Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 4:17. It’s a really significant and dramatic part of the story of how Israel was saved from being conquered by the surrounding nations. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Joshua is telling the priests to come up to Jerusalem. Let's unpack that a bit further: “Joshua therefore commanded…” – This means Joshua made a direct instruction or order. “…the priests…” – The priests were a group of high-ranking officials in the temple of God. They were responsible for rituals and offering sacrifices. "...saying, Come ye up out of Jordan." - This is the key part. Joshua was telling them to leave the city of Jerusalem. He specifically said they needed to go out of the Jordan River valley – the area where the enemy armies were threatening Israel. So, what happened next? The verse sets up a massive challenge. The surrounding enemies (like the Philistines and the Ammonites) were planning to attack Israel. To stop them, God decided to use Joshua’s command. He needed the priests to go up to Jerusalem and offer a sacrifice – a huge offering of blood – to appease God and show that Israel was united and willing to fight. Why is this important? This verse is a powerful example of God's plan to protect his people and establish a lasting covenant between them and God. It’s about showing faith, obedience, and reliance on God’s protection – even when things seem impossible. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the story in more detail? Connect this verse to a larger theme in the Bible (like faith, courage, or divine judgment)?