Joshua1
New International Version
1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:
2“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
4Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
5No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
10So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:
11“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”
12But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
13“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’
14Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them
15until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
17Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.
18Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
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