King James Version

What Does Joshua 1:5 Mean?

Joshua 1:5 in the King James Version says “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with th... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:5 · KJV


Context

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.

5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. unto this: or, thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land, etc

7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. prosper: or, do wisely


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contains one of Scripture's most cherished promises of divine presence and sufficiency. The Hebrew lo-yityatsev (לֹא־יִתְיַצֵּב, 'shall not...be able to stand') uses a reflexive form meaning no enemy can maintain their position or resist Israel when God fights for them. The promise 'all the days of thy life' extends divine protection throughout Joshua's entire leadership, not merely during the conquest but in all seasons. The comparison 'as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee' assures Joshua he will receive the same divine companionship that empowered Moses. The dual promise 'I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee' uses two Hebrew verbs: raphah (רָפָה, 'fail') meaning to sink or weaken, and azav (עָזַב, 'forsake') meaning to leave or abandon. God promises neither to weaken in His support nor to withdraw His presence. This promise is cited in Hebrews 13:5 and applied to all believers, demonstrating its transhistorical application to God's people in every age.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This promise came at a critical transition point as Israel prepared to enter Canaan without Moses. Joshua needed assurance that God's presence—not merely Moses' leadership—had been the source of Israel's success. The promise addressed Joshua's natural fear and insecurity about filling Moses' irreplaceable role. Ancient Near Eastern warfare was brutal and uncertain; victory depended on numerous factors including troop strength, weaponry, strategy, and the favor of deity. God's unconditional promise of victory and presence provided Joshua with confidence no human leader could give. The fulfillment appears throughout Joshua's campaigns—no enemy successfully resisted Israel when they obeyed God. The promise's New Testament application (Hebrews 13:5) shows that God's faithfulness to His covenant people transcends Israel and extends to all who trust in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise never to fail or forsake you change your perspective on current challenges that seem overwhelming?
  2. What situations in your life require you to trust God's sufficiency rather than your own ability or strength?
  3. How does understanding that the same God who was with Moses is with you affect your approach to leadership responsibilities or difficult callings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לֹֽא1 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב2 of 17

be able to stand

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

אִישׁ֙3 of 17

There shall not any man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ4 of 17

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

כֹּ֖ל5 of 17
H3605

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

יְמֵ֣י6 of 17

thee all the 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

חַיֶּ֑יךָ7 of 17

of thy life

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 17
H834

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

הָיִ֤יתִי9 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִם10 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מֹשֶׁה֙11 of 17

as I was with Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה12 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִמָּ֔ךְ13 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לֹ֥א14 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אַרְפְּךָ֖15 of 17

so I will be with thee I will not fail

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

וְלֹ֥א16 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶֽעֶזְבֶֽךָּ׃17 of 17

thee nor forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc


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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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