Joshua1
English Standard Version
1 the of the of the Lord, the Lord to the of , ’ ,
2 my is . therefore , go this , you and this , into the that I am to them, to the of .
3 that the of your will upon I have to you, just as I to .
4From the and as far as the , the , the of the to the toward the of the shall be your .
5No shall be able to you the of your . Just as I was with , so I will be with you. I will not you or you.
6Be and , for you shall this to the that I to their to them.
7Only be and , being to according to the that my you. Do not from it to the hand or to the , that you may have good wherever you .
8 of the shall not from your , but you shall on it and , that you may be to according to that is in it. you will your , and then you will have good .
9Have I not you? Be and . Do not be , and do not be , for the Lord your is with you wherever you .
10And the of the ,
11 through the of the and the , your , for within you are to pass this to to of the that the Lord your is you to .
12And to the , the , and the of ,
13 the that the of the Lord you, , The Lord your is you a place of and will you this .
14Your , your , and your shall in the that you the , but the of among you shall pass your and shall them,
15until the Lord gives to your he has to you, and they of the that the Lord your is them. Then you shall to the of your and shall it, the land that the of the Lord you the .
16And they , that you have us we will , and you us we will .
17Just as we in things, so we will you. may the Lord your be with you, as he was with !
18 against your and your , whatever you him, shall be . be and .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 1.
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.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מָוֶת: death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
עֶבֶד: a servant
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ: Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
נוּן: Nun or Non, the father of Joshua
שָׁרַת: to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
עַתָּה: at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
Cross References
Joshua 1Direct parallel where Moses publicly charged Joshua to lead the people and cause them to inherit the land.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The New Testament directly quotes the promise 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' from this verse.
Supported by Matthew Poole
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
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
Contrasts Moses, who was faithful as a servant, with Christ, the Son over His own house.
Supported by Matthew Poole
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
Explains the meaning of passing over 'armed' or marshalled in orderly caravan arrays.
Supported by JFB
Highlights Joshua as a type of Christ who leads God's people into true spiritual rest.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the promise of prosperity for those who meditate on God's law day and night.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The fulfillment of the promise when Joshua blesses and sends home the eastern tribes.
Supported by Matthew Poole