King James Version

What Does Joshua 11:15 Mean?

Joshua 11:15 in the King James Version says “As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all t...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. left: Heb. removed nothing”

Joshua 11:15 · KJV

Context

13

But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. in their: Heb. on their heap

14

And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

15

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. left: Heb. removed nothing

16

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

17

Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. the mount: or, the smooth mountain

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

This verse summarizes Joshua's defining characteristic: complete obedience to the Mosaic covenant. The chain of command—LORD to Moses to Joshua—establishes the unbroken transmission of divine revelation through faithful human agents. The emphatic conclusion, "he left nothing undone" (lo-hesir davar, לֹא־הֵסִיר דָּבָר, literally "he removed/turned aside not a word"), uses the strongest possible negative to assert Joshua's comprehensive faithfulness. This stands in stark contrast to later generations who would partially obey, compromising with Canaanites and adopting their practices.

The Hebrew construction emphasizes both precision and comprehensiveness. Joshua didn't select which commands to obey based on personal preference, cultural accommodation, or pragmatic calculation. He obeyed "all" (kol, כֹּל), a term appearing twice in this verse, stressing totality. Reformed theology recognizes this as the proper response to divine revelation—Scripture's authority extends to all its teachings, not merely those we find congenial. The Westminster Confession states that "the whole counsel of God" must be received (WCF 1.6).

This obedience resulted from relationship, not mere duty. Throughout Joshua, the recurring phrase "the LORD said to Joshua" indicates intimate communication between God and His servant. Obedience flows from knowing God, not just knowing rules. Jesus would later say, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15), establishing love as obedience's motive. Joshua models the gospel pattern: relationship with God produces faithfulness to God's word, which in turn advances God's kingdom purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The author's explicit testimony to Joshua's complete obedience serves historiographical and theological purposes. Ancient Near Eastern literature frequently praised rulers for piety and devotion to divine mandates, but typically as royal propaganda. The biblical account differs by making obedience the criterion for success rather than military prowess or political cunning. The later historical books (Judges, Samuel, Kings) will use this same standard to evaluate Israel's leaders, with most failing where Joshua succeeded.

The emphasis on complete obedience anticipates the troubling reality that Joshua's generation would be the last to serve Yahweh faithfully (Judges 2:7). The next generation would compromise, leading to the cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance characterizing Judges. This makes Joshua's obedience both exemplary and poignant—it represents the ideal that Israel would consistently fail to maintain. Only Christ would perfectly fulfill the obedience Joshua modeled, becoming obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8) and fulfilling all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).

The chain of revelation (LORD-Moses-Joshua) establishes the principle of apostolic succession not in terms of institutional office but of faithful transmission of God's word. Later generations must maintain this chain by faithful teaching and obedience (2 Timothy 2:2). When the chain breaks—when leaders fail to teach God's word completely or when people refuse to obey what they've been taught—spiritual decline inevitably follows. The book of Judges demonstrates this tragic trajectory.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of Christian teaching or practice are you tempted toward selective obedience, emphasizing preferred commands while minimizing others?
  2. How does Joshua's complete obedience challenge the contemporary tendency to adapt biblical teaching to cultural acceptability?
  3. What relationship exists between knowing God personally and obeying God comprehensively, and how can we cultivate both?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר1 of 23
H834

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

צִוָּ֥ה2 of 23

“command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 23

“As the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת4 of 23
H853

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

מֹשֶֽׁה׃5 of 23

“Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עַבְדּ֔וֹ6 of 23

“his servant”

H5650

a servant

כֵּן7 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

צִוָּ֥ה8 of 23

“command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

מֹשֶֽׁה׃9 of 23

“Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת10 of 23
H853

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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ11 of 23

“Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

וְכֵן֙12 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עָשָׂ֣ה13 of 23

“and so did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ14 of 23

“Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

לֹֽא15 of 23
H3808

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

הֵסִ֣יר16 of 23

“he left”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

דָּבָ֔ר17 of 23

“nothing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

מִכֹּ֛ל18 of 23
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר19 of 23
H834

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

צִוָּ֥ה20 of 23

“command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֖ה21 of 23

“As the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת22 of 23
H853

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

מֹשֶֽׁה׃23 of 23

“Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

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 11:15 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 11:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 34:11-13Joshua 1:7Acts 20:20Deuteronomy 7:2Deuteronomy 31:7Deuteronomy 4:5

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