Introduction to Joshua

The Historical Books

How to Study the Bible

1:1 the death of Moses The man under whom God delivered the Israelites from Egypt (Exod 7–14) and gave Israel the law (Exod 20; 24; compare Deut 34:1–5).

Joshua Moses’ trusted second-in-command.

1:2 cross the Jordan The Jordan River was the eastern boundary to the promised land (except for the Transjordan regions noted in Num 32).

that I am giving to them Yahweh promised Abraham that his descendants would possess the land of Canaan (see Gen 12:1–7; compare Num 14:23; 32:11; Deut 4:1–5).

the Israelites The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel; compare Gen 32:28).

1:4 the wilderness A general term for the desert regions either south of Canaan or west of the Jordan River. Often describes the northern Sinai region south of Israel, but refers to other areas in Joshua (see Josh 8:15, 20; 12:8; 15:61; 16:1; 18:12).

the Lebanon Territory north of Israel, roughly corresponds with modern-day Lebanon.

the land of the Hittites The Hittite Empire was centered in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) but controlled territory north of Lebanon (and north/northwest of the Euphrates). However, some ot references to Hittites are most likely referring to a group of native Canaanites, descendants of Heth, son of Canaan (1 Chr 1:13), and not to the Hittite Empire (see Gen 23:10; 27:46). The Canaanite Hittites are most likely meant here (compare Deut 7:1; Ezek 16:3). See note on Josh 3:10.

great sea The Mediterranean Sea.

in the west The west (where the sun sets).

will be your territory Compare Gen 10:19; 15:16–20; Num 13:17, 21–22; 34:3–12.

1:5 will I be with you; I will not fail See Josh 1:17; compare Exod 3:12.

1:6 I swore to their ancestors See Gen 12:1–3; 15:1–6, 18; 28:13; 35:12; 48:21.

1:7 very courageous Though this encouragement does not seem to coincide with the following phrase, it is intentionally tied to Torah obedience. The phrase points to the laws delineated in Deuteronomy in Moses’ farewell sermons to the Israelites.

Do not turn aside from it, to the right or left This formulaic expression occurs many times in Deuteronomy, indicating that Yahweh is referring to the laws of that book (see Deut 2:27; 5:32; 17:11, 20; 28:14). Joshua’s primary duty is not military but spiritual. Without obedience to the law, military success will not follow. God is the one who gives such victories.

1:8 The scroll of this law Likely refers to the laws of Deuteronomy.

you will meditate on it day and night Yahweh commands Joshua specifically, not the nation. Copies of the Torah were not available to the populace; the only copy available was likely kept in the tent of meeting.

1:9 I not command you Joshua should be certain that it is Yahweh speaking to him. Having accompanied Moses in earlier divine encounters, he had heard Him before (see Exod 24:13; 33:11; Deut 31:14).

1:10 the officers of the people See note on Josh 7:6; compare Num 11:16 and note; Deut 1:15 and note; 16:18.

1:12 Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had earlier requested to settle in the Transjordan, which was outside Canaan. See Num 32.

1:14 will cross armed in front of your families In Numbers 32:28–32, Moses charged Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh with helping the other tribes win their land before permanently settling in the Transjordan.

1:15 beyond the Jordan Refers to the Transjordan; see note on Josh 1:12.

1:17 so will we obey you The men of the tribes in the Transjordan honor their promise to Moses by pledging their allegiance to Joshua, his successor.