About Joshua

Joshua records the conquest and division of the Promised Land, demonstrating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham.

Author: JoshuaWritten: c. 1400-1370 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 16
ConquestFaithfulnessObedienceInheritanceLeadershipCovenant

King James Version

Joshua 23

16 verses with commentary

Joshua's Farewell Address

And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. stricken: Heb. come into days

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:</strong><br><br>Joshua's farewell address occurs after "a lon...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**XXIII. JOSHUA’S LAST CHARGE.** (a) To the rulers (Joshua 23). (b) To the people (Joshua 24 to Joshua 24:25). (a) To THE RULERS. (1) **Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.**—The same expression employed in Joshua 13:1. It is possible that we ought to translate thus: “It came to pass, a long time after the Lord had given rest . . . *and *(after) Joshua had grown old, advanced in days, *that *Josh...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age.</strong> This verse introduces Joshua's farewell address, one of three major speeches that structure the book's conclusion (chapters 23-24). The comprehensive assembly—"all Israel, and for their elders (<em>zeqenim</em>...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **Joshua called for all Israel **(*i.e., *first)**. . . for their elders . . . heads . . . judges, and . . . officers.**—The first “and” in the English Version of this verse should be omitted. **And said unto them . . .**—The address which follows should be contrasted with that in Joshua 24. The first is suited to men of education, authority, and position in Israel, and concerns the duty of th...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.</strong> Joshua grounds his farewell charge in Israel's eyewitness experience. The phrase "ye have seen" (<em>atem re'item</em>, אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם) appeals to empirical evidence, not hearsay or speculation. This generation witnessed God's mighty a...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward . westward: Heb. at the sunset

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.</strong> Joshua's statement "I have divided unto you" (<em>hippaltitit lakhem</em>, הִפַּלְתִּי לָכֶם) uses the verb <em>napal</em> (נָפַל), which in the Hiphil form means to cause to fall—the same r...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain.**—Here, as in Joshua 13:1-7, and afterwards, in Judges 2:23, the preliminary and partial nature of the conquest achieved by Joshua is distinctly recognised. He gave Israel the land to possess, and gave them the vantage-ground from which they might possess it. In Joshua 23:4-5 he bids them continue the work which he had begun.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.</strong> This verse promises divine assistance for completing the conquest. The verbs "expel" (<em>yehdo</em>, יֶהְדֹּף) and "drive... from out of your sight" (<em>vehorish otam</em>, וְהוֹרִישׁ אוֹתָם) emphasize Go...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:</strong><br><br>Joshua redefi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses.**—As Joshua was the servant of the law himself, so must his successors be. No higher position was attainable than this. It has been the same with the successors of the greater Joshua. With them, and with those who follow them, nothing can ever supersede the authority of *the written word.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them.</strong> Joshua issues four prohibitions governing Israel's relationship with remaining Canaanite populations. The command "come not among" (<em>lev le-viltibole</em>, לְבִלְתִּי־בוֹא) demands separa...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **Come not among these nations**—i.e., do not mix with them; literally, *do not go in unto them. *(See on Joshua 13:2-7, for the rules to be observed in dealing with the nations.) It must always be remembered that, in proposing the extermination of the seven nations, Jehovah reserved to Himself the ordering of the details of the conquest and extermination. When the Lord thy God shall deliver t...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. But cleave: or, For if ye will cleave, etc

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KJV Study Commentary

The command—'But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day'—calls for continued covenant faithfulness. The word 'cleave' (Hebrew dabaq) denotes permanent, intimate attachment (used of marriage, Genesis 2:24). The phrase 'as ye have done unto this day' commends past faithfulness while urging future perseverance. This teaches that spiritual victory requires ongoing commitment, not...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. For the LORD: or, Then the LORD will drive

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.</strong> This verse provides motivation for continued obedience by recounting past victories. The phrase "great nations and strong" (<em>goyim gedolim va'atsumim</em>, גּוֹיִם גְּדֹלִים וַעֲצוּמִים) uses terms emphasizing both size and military pow...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **No man hath been able to stand before you.**—Comp. Joshua 1:5.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.</strong> This remarkable promise amplifies Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 32:30, where one chases a thousand only if "their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up." Here Joshua reverses the image—one Israelite chasing a thousand becomes reality through divine in...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **One man of you shall chase a thousand.**—See Deuteronomy 28:7.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. yourselves: Heb. your souls

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KJV Study Commentary

The warning—'Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God'—connects carefulness with love. The phrase 'take good heed' demands vigilance, showing love isn't automatic but requires intentional cultivation. The reflexive 'unto yourselves' indicates personal responsibility—each individual must guard their own heart. This demonstrates that love for God, though commanded, re...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12,13) **if ye . . . make marriages with them . . . the Lord your God will no more drive out.**—The common-sense of this warning is manifest. The God of Israel cannot treat as His enemies those whom Israel has united with itself, unless He also makes war on Israel. It was a long time before Israel learned the lesson how to live *in *the world without being *of *the world. It was not learnt until ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.</strong> This sobering warning reverses the promise of verse 5. The emphatic phrase "know for a certainty" (<...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

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KJV Study Commentary

Joshua's testimony—'And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof'—reviews God's absolute faithfulness. The phrase 'not one thing hath failed' emphatically testifie...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **Ye know . . . that not one thing hath failed.**—These words, as well as the similar statement in Joshua 21:43-45, show that though the conquest of Canaan by Joshua was in one way a limited conquest, yet it fully satisfied the hopes of Israel for the time: *i.e., *that they understood the Divine promises in that sense in which we see them to have been actually fulfilled.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.</strong><br><br>This verse articulates the bilateral nature of covenant: just as God faithfully fulfills promised blessings, He will equ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **As all good things are come upon you . . . so shall . . . all evil things.**—Comp. Deuteronomy 8:19-20, and Deuteronomy 30:17-18, and Deuteronomy 28 throughout. The above exhortations are upon matters that lie within the province of the ruler. The law must be forgotten if the magistrates will not enforce it. Marriages and treaties and public worship are matters under the control of the law....
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 15:21-63. Cities of Judah. **21-63. the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah--**There is given a list of cities within the tribal territory of Judah, arranged in four divisions, corresponding to the districts of which it consisted--the cities in the southern part (Jos 15:21-32), those in the lowlands (Jos 15:33-47), those in the highlands (Jos 15:48-60), and those in the des...
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When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.</strong> This solemn warning from Joshua's farewell address articulates the covenant structure that go...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) The resemblance between this verse and an exhortation in Deuteronomy should be noticed, Joshua 11:16-17, “Take heed to yourselves, lest . . . ye turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; and then the Lord’s wrath be kindled against you . . . and ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you.” Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport...
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