King James Version

What Does Joshua 1:11 Mean?

Joshua 1:11 in the King James Version says “Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over th... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

Joshua 1:11 · KJV


Context

9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

10

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

12

And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,

13

Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After receiving divine encouragement, Joshua immediately issues practical commands for the impending conquest. The instruction 'Pass through the host' (ivru beqerev hamachaneh, עִבְרוּ בְּקֶרֶב הַמַּחֲנֶה) indicates systematic communication throughout Israel's tribal divisions. The command 'Prepare you victuals' (hakinu lakhem tsedah, הָכִינוּ לָכֶם צֵדָה) means provisions for a journey—dried food, grain, water suitable for military campaign. The three-day timeframe creates urgency—no indefinite delay but immediate preparation for decisive action. The purpose clause reveals the ultimate goal: 'to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.' The Hebrew construction emphasizes divine gift (noten lakhem, 'giveth you') paired with human responsibility (laresheth otah, 'to possess it'). God gives, but Israel must go and take possession. This verse demonstrates the balance between divine sovereignty and human agency—God's promise doesn't eliminate the need for practical preparation and courageous action.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The three-day preparation period parallels other significant three-day periods in Scripture: the days before Sinai revelation (Exodus 19:11), Jonah's journey through Nineveh (Jonah 3:3), and Christ's resurrection (Matthew 12:40). This timeframe allowed logistical preparation while maintaining momentum from God's commissioning speech. Ancient military campaigns required significant provisioning—armies didn't have modern supply lines but depended on provisions carried by soldiers or foraged from conquered territory. Israel's preparation involved not only food but also spiritual readiness, ensuring the entire nation was consecrated before crossing Jordan. The officers (shoterim) who delivered these commands served as administrative intermediaries ensuring unified action across the twelve tribes. This organizational structure demonstrated that divine leading operates through orderly human administration rather than bypassing proper channels of authority and communication.

Reflection Questions

  1. What practical steps of preparation is God calling you to take before He opens doors of opportunity?
  2. How do you balance trusting God's promises with taking responsible action to prepare for what He's called you to do?
  3. What 'three days' of preparation might be needed before you're ready for the next phase of God's plan for your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
עֹֽבְרִים֙1 of 29

Pass

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּקֶ֣רֶב2 of 29

through

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה3 of 29

the host

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וְצַוּ֤וּ4 of 29

and command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת5 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָם֙6 of 29

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לֵאמֹ֔ר7 of 29

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָכִ֥ינוּ8 of 29

Prepare

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לָכֶ֖ם9 of 29
H0
צֵידָ֑ה10 of 29

you victuals

H6720

food

כִּ֞י11 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּע֣וֹד׀12 of 29
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת13 of 29

for within three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָמִ֗ים14 of 29

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אַתֶּם֙15 of 29
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹֽבְרִים֙16 of 29

Pass

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת17 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיַּרְדֵּ֣ן18 of 29

this Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

הַזֶּ֔ה19 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לָבוֹא֙20 of 29

to go in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃21 of 29

to possess

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת22 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֔רֶץ23 of 29

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר֙24 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֣ה25 of 29

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם26 of 29

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֥ן27 of 29

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶ֖ם28 of 29
H0
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃29 of 29

to possess

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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