Joshua 1: Yahweh tells Joshua to be strong and cross the Jordan
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What happens?
After Moses dies, Yahweh tells Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan into the land he is giving them. He promises to be with Joshua as he was with Moses, and tells him to be strong and courageous and to keep the book of the law. Joshua tells the people to get ready, reminds Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh of their promise to fight beside their brothers, and the people promise to obey him.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. God's own words are in 8 of the 18 verses: his words to Joshua in verses 2 to 9. Joshua speaks to the officers in verse 11, and to Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh in verses 13 to 15, where he reminds them of what Moses said. The people answer Joshua in verses 16 to 18. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,
In plain English: After the death of Moses, the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' helper (this Bible: servant). He said,
The Hebrew words: Moses is called the ebed, the servant, of Yahweh. Joshua is called Moses' mesharet, from a different word, sharat, which the dictionary gives as "to attend as a menial or worshipper": a helper who waits on someone.
Good to know: Joshua is called Moses' helper in the same way in , and . His first name was Hoshea, and Moses called him Joshua (). Moses laid his hands on him before he died ().
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2“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel.God speaks
In plain English: "Moses my servant is dead. Now get up and cross this Jordan, you and all these people, into the land I am giving to them, to the Israelites.
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3I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses.God speaks
In plain English: I have given you every place the sole of your foot will step on, as I told Moses.
Good to know: Moses said nearly the same words to Israel in : "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours", with the same wilderness, Lebanon and river Euphrates.
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4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.God speaks
In plain English: Your land will reach from the wilderness and this Lebanon to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea in the west (literally: toward the going down of the sun).
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5No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.God speaks
In plain English: No 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 not fail you or leave you.
Good to know: "He will not fail you nor forsake you" is what Moses told Israel in . Here Yahweh says it to Joshua himself. uses like words: "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."
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6“Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.God speaks
In plain English: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead this people to take as their inheritance the land I swore to their fathers to give them.
Good to know: "Be strong and courageous" comes four times in this chapter: Yahweh says it in verses 6, 7 ("very courageous") and 9, and the people say it to Joshua in . Moses had said the same to Joshua in , and Yahweh in .
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7Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.God speaks
In plain English: Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to do everything in the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may do well (or: act wisely) wherever you go.
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8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.God speaks
In plain English: This book of the law must not leave your mouth. Meditate on it (or: murmur it) day and night, so that you are careful to do everything written in it. Then you will make your way succeed, and then you will do well.
The Hebrew word: "Meditate" is hagah, which the dictionary gives as "to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder".
How it is translated: This Bible says "meditate" or a longer form in 6 of the 24 verses that use hagah, and "talk" or a longer form in 4.
What changes: Read as "meditate", Joshua is to think on the law day and night. Read as "murmur", he is to say its words over under his breath, which fits "must not leave your mouth". The two can go together. uses the same word: "On his law he meditates day and night."
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9Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”God speaks
In plain English: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or lose heart, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go."
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10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
In plain English: Then Joshua gave orders to the officers of the people. He said,
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11“Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God gives you to possess.’”
In plain English: "Go through the middle of the camp and tell the people, 'Get food ready, because in three days you will cross this Jordan to go in and take the land Yahweh your God is giving you to own.'"
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12Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,
In plain English: Joshua spoke to the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He said,
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13“Remember the word which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.
In plain English: "Remember what Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you: 'Yahweh your God is giving you rest, and he will give you this land.
Good to know: Reuben and Gad had asked to stay on the east side of the Jordan ( and ), and Moses agreed if their fighting men crossed with the others ( to , and to ). Moses gave land there to half of Manasseh too (). Joshua now holds them to it.
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14Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them
In plain English: Your wives, your little ones and your livestock will stay in the land Moses gave you beyond the Jordan. But all your strong fighting men are to cross ahead of your brothers, armed for battle, and help them
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15until Yahweh has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which Yahweh your God gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’”
In plain English: until Yahweh gives your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they too take the land Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you will go back to your own land and own it, the land Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan, toward the sunrise.'"
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16They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
In plain English: They answered Joshua, "We will do all you have commanded us, and we will go wherever you send us.
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17Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.
In plain English: Just as we listened to Moses in everything, so we will listen to you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.
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18Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn’t listen to your words in all that you command him shall himself be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”
In plain English: Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in everything you command him is to be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."
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