How many stones did the Israelites take from the dry river bed of the Jordan?

In Joshua 4, the Israelites’ journey across the dry bed of the Jordan River is a profound emblem of their entry into the Promised Land. As they collected 12 stones, representational of each tribe, these stones were more than mere geological finds; they were literary bookmarks in the fabric of their faith journey.

The symbolism is rich—like breadcrumbs pointing to divine guidance, these stones served as a memorial for generations. So kids would ask grandpa, "Why those rocks?" And grandpa would sit 'em down, perhaps telling how God parted the waters so they could step into their future. Pretty handy storytelling props if you ask me!

The notion of using stones as a testament or reminder isn't just a one-off in the Bible. This resonant theme appears elsewhere, such as when Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer as a reminder of God’s help (1 Samuel 7:12). It's clear that physical reminders help anchor spiritual memories.

Moreover, 12 stones click perfectly with the 12 tribes—8,000 miles later, Christians think flavorful thoughts of the 12 apostles promoting a future faith development. Even in some artists’ renderings of the Book of Revelation, the “New Jerusalem” features 12 gates named after the tribes. So, what you have here spans not just a historical act of faith but a legacy woven into the identity of a people and ultimately echoed in future beliefs and texts. Who knew pickin' up some stones in the river would rock future generations, almost literally?