Joshua 1ASV
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Joshua1

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,

2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses.

4From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

7Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.

8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11Pass through the midst of the camp, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which Jehovah your God giveth you to possess it.

12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,

13Remember the word which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you, saying, Jehovah your God giveth you rest, and will give you this land.

14Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall abide in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but ye shall pass over before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them;

15until Jehovah have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and possess it, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising.

16And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou hast commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.

17According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only Jehovah thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

18Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 1.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses. (1–4). God promises to assist Joshua. (5–9). Preparation to pass over Jordan. (10–15). The people promise to obey Joshua. (16–18).

vv1-4

Joshua had attended upon Moses. He who was called to honour, had been long used to business. Our Lord Jesus took upon him the form of a servant. Joshua was trained up under command. Those are fittest to rule, who have learned to obey. The removal of useful men should quicken survivors to be the more diligent in doing good. Arise, go over Jordan. At this place and at this time the banks were overflowed. Joshua had no bridge or boats, and yet he must believe that God, having ordered the people over, would open a way.

vv5-9

Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is charged to meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it. Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful. All his orders to the people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God. Joshua must himself be under command; no man's dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God. He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God. Let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be sure to bear thee out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as Joshua here, was borne up under his sufferings by a regard to the will of God, and the commandment from his Father.

vv10-15

Joshua says to the people, Ye shall pass over Jordan, and shall possess the land; because God had said so to him. We honour the truth of God, when we stagger not at the promise of God. The two tribes and a half were to go over Jordan with their brethren. When God, by his providence, has given us rest, we ought to consider what service we may do to our brethren.

Cross References

Joshua 1

Direct parallel where Moses publicly charged Joshua to lead the people and cause them to inherit the land.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v5Hebrews 13:5quotation

The New Testament directly quotes the promise 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' from this verse.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Numbers 27:21thematic

Details Joshua's formal designation and how he was to receive counsel from God through Urim.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Literal repetition of the promise of territory wherever the sole of their foot shall tread.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v1Exodus 24:13thematic

Identifies Joshua as 'Moses' minister' during the ascent of Mount Sinai, showing his early training.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Establishes the official title of Moses as 'the servant of the LORD' at his death.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Hebrews 3:5contrast

Contrasts Moses, who was faithful as a servant, with Christ, the Son over His own house.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Numbers 32:20-28thematic

The original agreement made by Moses with the two and a half tribes regarding their inheritance.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Moses' identical words of encouragement to Israel and Joshua regarding God's presence and strength.

Supported by JFB

The law requiring Israel's leaders to write and read the book of the law continually.

Supported by JFB

v14Exodus 13:18thematic

Explains the meaning of passing over 'armed' or marshalled in orderly caravan arrays.

Supported by JFB

v15Hebrews 4:8typology

Highlights Joshua as a type of Christ who leads God's people into true spiritual rest.

Supported by JFB

v8Psalms 1:2thematic

Parallels the promise of prosperity for those who meditate on God's law day and night.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v13Joshua 22:1-4fulfillment

The fulfillment of the promise when Joshua blesses and sends home the eastern tribes.

Supported by Matthew Poole