Joshua 4:21

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

Cross-references

Joshua 4:6 Parallel

Joshua 4:6 gives the original instruction for the stones to prompt children's questions—verse 21 records Joshua fulfilling that command.

Psalm 145:4–7 Related theme

Psalm 145:4-7 explicitly describes one generation commending God's works to another, directly echoing the memorial purpose here.

Exodus 12:26 contains the identical question formula—'When your children ask you, “What does this mean?”'—for the Passover.

Exodus 13:14 also uses the same pattern: a child asks 'What does this mean?' and the parent explains God's deliverance.

Deuteronomy 4:9 Related theme

Deuteronomy 4:9 commands teaching God's deeds to children and grandchildren, reinforcing the generational instruction seen here.

Deuteronomy 6:20 again uses the 'when your son asks' formula, applying it to the purpose of God's laws and covenant.

Psalm 78:4 Related theme

Psalm 78:4 declares the intention to tell the next generation God's praiseworthy deeds, exactly the purpose of the stone memorial.

Psalm 111:4 Related theme

Psalm 111:4 highlights that God causes His wondrous works to be remembered — the same purpose behind the memorial stones here.

Isaiah 19:20 Related theme

Isaiah 19:20 describes a sign and witness to the LORD — like these stones, a physical memorial of divine deliverance.

Isaiah 38:19 speaks of fathers making known God's faithfulness to children — directly mirroring the instruction to teach children about these stones.

Joel 1:3 Parallel

Joel 1:3 commands telling children and grandchildren about God's judgments — the same generational transmission of testimony as the stones prompt.

Psalm 105:2–5 Related theme

Psalm 105:2-5 calls believers to tell of God's wonders to the next generation, mirroring the intent behind the stones' meaning.

Ephesians 6:4 charges fathers to bring children up in the instruction of the Lord — the broader principle underlying the specific teaching about the stones.