The answer is: Adam

Josh 3:16

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they experienced a moment that must have felt like a divine spectacle—imagine the thrill and the awe as they walked through on dry ground! The town named Adam, mentioned in Joshua 3:16, lies just north of where the waters halted. This little but significant detail carries rich implications for both geography and symbolism.

Interestingly, the name "Adam" evokes thoughts of the first man created, enhancing the idea that, at this moment, the Israelites were beginning a new chapter of their identity. They were like "new" people, crossing from the wilderness of forty years into the promised land. This crossing points back to their forefather’s story and foreshadows the kind of new beginnings that echoed throughout the Hebrew scriptures.

Moreover, this event has profound significance. The timing corresponds to the harvest season—the time when rivers are typically overflowing. But through a miraculous act, the Israelites witnessed the work of higher power just like their ancestors did at the Red Sea. Bridging these two significant moments adds a deeper layer to our understanding of liberation also seen in tale after tale throughout the Bible.

And let’s not forget the significance of the Ark of the Covenant! As the priests carried the Ark into the waters, it symbolized God’s presence among the people, acting as a tangible representative of divine guidance and promise as they entered a new era in Canaan. This developmental stage ties the collective journey of the Israelite people to a shared experience of faith, hope, and divine assistance.