Definition: And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 4:12. It’s a really significant passage about a dramatic showdown! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is going to punish the people of Israel for their disobedience and wickedness. Let’s unpack it further: “And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad…” : This refers to two tribes of Israel – Reuben and Gad. These were important groups within the tribe of Manasseh (which was a large group). “…and half the tribe of Manasseh…” : This means that half of the remaining people in Israel – those who hadn’t fully obeyed God's laws – were sent to cross the Jordan River. “passed over armed before the children of Israel…” : This is the key part! The verse describes a massive procession (a group moving forward) of these tribes marching right across the Jordan River, carrying weapons and shields. It’s like they were literally walking through the water! “…as Moses spake unto them:” This means that Moses was speaking to them – commanding them. So, what's the point? Moses is telling the people of Israel to show God how serious he is about their disobedience. He’s using a powerful demonstration to make it clear that they need to change their ways and return to following God’s laws. It’s a warning and a call to repentance. Think of it like this: It's a visual representation of a judgment – God is sending a punishment because of something wrong with the people. In short, this verse describes a massive military procession that symbolizes God’s judgment on Israel’s disobedience. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of the verse in more detail, or perhaps explore why this event was significant in biblical history?