King James Version

What Does Joshua 1:15 Mean?

Joshua 1:15 in the King James Version says “Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 .

Joshua 1:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse specifies the duration of the Transjordan tribes' military service: 'Until the LORD have given your brethren rest' (ad asher-yaniach Yahweh laacheikhem, עַד אֲשֶׁר־יָנִיחַ יְהוָה לַאֲחֵיכֶם). Their obligation lasted until all Israel possessed their inheritance. The promise 'then ye shall return' guarantees they could eventually enjoy their own land after faithfully serving. This establishes conditionality: personal rest follows corporate victory. The phrase 'land of your possession' (erets yerushatkhem, אֶרֶץ יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם) emphasizes their legitimate inheritance despite being east of Jordan. From a Reformed perspective, this teaches that individual blessing and corporate blessing intertwine—we cannot fully enjoy our inheritance while brothers lack theirs.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The conquest lasted approximately seven years. During this time, Transjordan families remained vulnerable to raids, yet the warriors faithfully served westward. This prolonged commitment demonstrates extraordinary covenant loyalty. When they finally returned, controversy nearly erupted over an altar they built (Joshua 22), but explanation and reconciliation preserved unity. Their example inspired future generations regarding covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What personal enjoyment must you delay to help others reach their God-given goals?
  2. How does the promise of eventual rest encourage perseverance in difficult service?
  3. What does this teach about balancing personal needs with corporate responsibilities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
עַ֠ד1 of 31
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר2 of 31
H834

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

יָנִ֨יחַ3 of 31

have given

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 31

Until the LORD

H3068

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

לַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֮5 of 31

your brethren

H251

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

כָּכֶם֒6 of 31
H0
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם7 of 31

and enjoy

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

גַם8 of 31
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֔מָּה9 of 31
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶת10 of 31
H853

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

לְאֶ֤רֶץ11 of 31

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר12 of 31
H834

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

יְהוָ֔ה13 of 31

Until the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם14 of 31

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

נָתַ֣ן15 of 31

gave

H5414

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

לָהֶ֑ם16 of 31
H0
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֞ם17 of 31

them then ye shall return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְאֶ֤רֶץ18 of 31

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם֙19 of 31

of your possession

H3425

something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony

וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם20 of 31

and enjoy

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

אוֹתָ֔הּ21 of 31
H853

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀22 of 31
H834

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

נָתַ֣ן23 of 31

gave

H5414

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

לָכֶ֗ם24 of 31
H0
מֹשֶׁה֙25 of 31

it which Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֶ֣בֶד26 of 31

servant

H5650

a servant

יְהוָ֔ה27 of 31

Until the LORD

H3068

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

בְּעֵ֥בֶר28 of 31

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן29 of 31

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִזְרַ֥ח30 of 31

toward the sunrising

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃31 of 31
H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement


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 1:15 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 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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