King James Version

What Does Joshua 1:2 Mean?

Joshua 1:2 in the King James Version says “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”

Joshua 1:2 · KJV

Context

1

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

2

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

3

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

4

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

God's command begins with stark realism: "Moses my servant is dead." The repetition emphasizes finality—there can be no looking back, no depending on Moses' leadership anymore. Yet this statement also honors Moses as "my servant," maintaining his legacy while making clear that a new era has begun. The Hebrew construction emphasizes divine ownership and relationship.

The word "therefore" (atah, עַתָּה) marks logical progression—because Moses is dead, Joshua must arise. God allows no paralysis through grief or fear. The double imperative "arise, go over" (qum avor, קוּם עֲבֹר) demands immediate, decisive action. The Jordan River, though narrow (80-100 feet wide), was swollen with spring floods, presenting a formidable natural barrier requiring divine intervention (3:15).

The phrase "which I do give to them" uses a Hebrew present participle (noten, נֹתֵן), emphasizing ongoing divine action. Though the land is promised, it requires human cooperation—God gives, but Israel must go and possess. The designation "children of Israel" recalls covenant identity rooted in the patriarchal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, assuring Joshua that this conquest fulfills ancient divine commitments.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan River formed the eastern boundary of Canaan proper, separating the Transjordanian territories (already conquered under Moses) from the heartland west of the river. Crossing the Jordan symbolized entering the Promised Land itself, the goal of the entire Exodus journey. The command came during the spring flooding season (3:15; 4:19), when the Jordan overflowed its banks, making the crossing humanly impossible—requiring obvious divine intervention.

Canaan in the Late Bronze Age (15th-13th centuries BCE) was a collection of city-states under nominal Egyptian control, with the Egyptian Empire in decline. The Amarna Letters (14th century BCE) reveal Canaanite kings requesting Egyptian help against invaders called "Habiru" (possibly related to "Hebrew"), showing regional instability that facilitated Israelite conquest. Canaanite religion centered on Baal worship with accompanying sexual immorality and child sacrifice, practices God had condemned (Leviticus 18:21-30; 20:2-5).

The land had been promised to Abraham 600 years earlier (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18-21), with the delay attributed to the Amorites' sins not yet reaching full measure (Genesis 15:16). Now the time of divine judgment on Canaanite wickedness and fulfillment of patriarchal promises had arrived.

Reflection Questions

  1. What "Jordan crossings" might God be calling you to—transitions from waiting to action, from promise to possession—that require faith despite obstacles?
  2. How do we balance honoring past leaders and seasons ("Moses my servant") while embracing new directions God is leading ("now therefore arise")?
  3. In what areas of life are you waiting for circumstances to change before obeying, rather than trusting God to work through your obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
מֹשֶׁ֥ה1 of 21

“Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עַבְדִּ֖י2 of 21

“my servant”

H5650

a servant

מֵ֑ת3 of 21

“is dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְעַתָּה֩4 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

ק֨וּם5 of 21

“now therefore arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֲבֹ֜ר6 of 21

“go over”

H5674

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

אֶת7 of 21
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֣ן8 of 21

“this Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

הַזֶּ֗ה9 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אַתָּה֙10 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְכָל11 of 21
H3605

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

הָעָ֣ם12 of 21

“thou and all this people”

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֔ה13 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶל14 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֕רֶץ15 of 21

“unto the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֧ר16 of 21
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֛י17 of 21
H595

i

נֹתֵ֥ן18 of 21

“which I do give”

H5414

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

לָהֶ֖ם19 of 21
H0
לִבְנֵ֥י20 of 21

“to them even to the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃21 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 1:2 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 1:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 3:28Deuteronomy 31:7Numbers 27:16-21Joshua 1:1Joshua 1:11Hebrews 7:23-24

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 1 →

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