King James Version

What Does Joshua 1:14 Mean?

Joshua 1:14 in the King James Version says “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them; armed: Heb. marshalled by five

Joshua 1:14 · KJV


Context

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.

14

Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them; armed: Heb. marshalled by five

15

Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising .

16

And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua outlines the practical arrangement: families remain in Transjordan while warriors cross to help their brothers. The phrase 'mighty men of valour' (giborei hechayil, גִּבֹּרֵי הֶחָיִל) describes seasoned warriors, not mere able-bodied men. The command 'pass before your brethren armed' (thoveru lifnei acheikhem chamushtm, תַּעַבְרוּ לִפְנֵי אֲחֵיכֶם חֲמֻשִׁים) means march in battle formation leading the advance. This demonstrates covenant solidarity—those with secured inheritance lead dangerous missions helping brothers gain theirs. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates stronger believers sacrificially serving weaker ones, and those who received grace first ministering to others.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Numbers 32:17 records this same commitment. The Transjordan warriors numbered approximately 40,000 (Joshua 4:13), forming a significant portion of Israel's fighting force. Their willingness to leave families and livestock vulnerable while fighting years away demonstrated remarkable faith and covenant loyalty. They faithfully served throughout the seven-year conquest before returning home (Joshua 22:1-4).

Reflection Questions

  1. What sacrifices is God calling you to make to help spiritual siblings succeed?
  2. How does leading 'before your brethren' challenge you to take difficult assignments rather than seeking comfort?
  3. What does leaving family secure to help others reveal about covenant priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
נְשֵׁיכֶ֣ם1 of 21

Your wives

H802

a woman

טַפְּכֶם֮2 of 21

your little ones

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וּמִקְנֵיכֶם֒3 of 21

and your cattle

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

יֵֽשְׁב֕וּ4 of 21

shall remain

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּאָ֕רֶץ5 of 21

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 21
H834

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

נָתַ֥ן7 of 21

gave

H5414

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

לָכֶ֛ם8 of 21
H0
מֹשֶׁ֖ה9 of 21

which Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בְּעֵ֣בֶר10 of 21

you on this side

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן11 of 21

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וְאַתֶּם֩12 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תַּֽעַבְר֨וּ13 of 21

but ye shall pass

H5674

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

חֲמֻשִׁ֜ים14 of 21

armed

H2571

staunch, i.e., able-bodied soldiers

לִפְנֵ֣י15 of 21

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם16 of 21

your brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

כֹּ֚ל17 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י18 of 21

all the mighty

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

הַחַ֔יִל19 of 21

men of valour

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

וַֽעֲזַרְתֶּ֖ם20 of 21

and help

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

אוֹתָֽם׃21 of 21
H853

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


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 1:14 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 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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