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Yahweh’s Commands to Joshua

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of [a]Yahweh, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ [b]attendant, saying, “Moses (A)My servant is dead; so now arise, (B)cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. (C)Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. (D)From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. (E)No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; (F)I will not fail you or forsake you. (G)Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous to [c](H)be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, so that you may [d]be prosperous wherever you go. (I)This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may [e]be careful to do according to all that is written in it; (J)for then you will make your way successful, and then you will [f]be prosperous. Have I not commanded you? (K)Be strong and courageous! (L)Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua’s Command to the Officers

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within (M)three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving you, to possess it.’”

12 (N)To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua [g]said, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘(O)Yahweh your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them 15 until Yahweh gives your brothers rest as He gives you, and they also possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving them. (P)Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses (Q)the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan to the east toward the sunrise.”

16 And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so we will listen to you; only (R)may Yahweh your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18 Anyone who rebels against your [h]command and does not listen to your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.”

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 1:1 The personal covenant name of God, a form of I AM WHO I AM, cf. Ex 3:14-15
  2. Joshua 1:1 Or minister
  3. Joshua 1:7 Lit observe
  4. Joshua 1:7 Or act wisely
  5. Joshua 1:8 Lit observe
  6. Joshua 1:8 Or act wisely
  7. Joshua 1:12 Lit said, saying
  8. Joshua 1:18 Lit mouth

Encouragement of Joshua

After the death of Moses(A) the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua[a] son of Nun,(B) who had served Moses: “Moses My servant is dead.(C) Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan(D) to the land I am giving the Israelites. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads,(E) just as I promised Moses. Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon(F) to the great Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites(G)—and west to the Mediterranean Sea.[b](H) No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.(I) I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you.(J)

“Be strong and courageous,(K) for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance.(L) Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you.(M) Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth;(N) you are to recite[c] it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.(O) Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous?(P) Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua Prepares the People

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.’”(Q)

12 Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh:(R) 13 “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you when he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’(S) 14 Your wives, young children, and livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan.[d] But your fighting men must cross over in battle formation[e] ahead of your brothers[f] and help them 15 until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He has given you, and they too possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. You may then return to the land of your inheritance(T) and take possession of what Moses the Lord’s servant(U) gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

16 They answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. 17 We will obey you, just as we obeyed Moses in everything. And may the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.(V) 18 Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words in all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”(W)

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 1:1 = The Lord Will Save, or The Lord Is Salvation; Joshua is related to the name Jesus.
  2. Joshua 1:4 Lit and to the Great Sea, the going down of the sun
  3. Joshua 1:8 Or meditate on
  4. Joshua 1:14 = east of the Jordan River
  5. Joshua 1:14 Or over armed
  6. Joshua 1:14 = fellow Israelites