King James Version

What Does Joshua 21:44 Mean?

Joshua 21:44 in the King James Version says “And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.”

Joshua 21:44 · KJV

Salvation

Context

42

These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.

43

And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

44

And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

45

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse emphasizes the rest and victory God provided Israel, fulfilling promises made to Moses. The phrase 'the LORD gave them rest round about' (vayanach Yahweh lahem misaviv, וַיָּנַח יְהוָה לָהֶם מִסָּבִיב) uses nuach (נוּחַ), meaning to rest, settle, or cease from conflict. This rest wasn't merely military cessation but covenant peace—the goal of redemptive history (Hebrews 4:1-11). The phrase 'according to all that he sware unto their fathers' roots this rest in divine oath, particularly Deuteronomy 12:9-10's promise of rest in the land. The comprehensive statement 'there stood not a man of all their enemies before them' (lo-amad ish bifneihem mikol-oyeveihem, לֹא־עָמַד אִישׁ בִּפְנֵיהֶם מִכָּל־אֹיְבֵיהֶם) recalls Joshua 1:5's promise that no enemy would successfully resist Israel. The final clause 'the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand' (et kol-oyeveihem natan Yahweh beyadam, אֵת כָּל־אֹיְבֵיהֶם נָתַן יְהוָה בְּיָדָם) emphasizes divine agency—Yahweh Himself delivered victories, not Israel's military prowess. This rest typifies the greater rest Christ provides—ceasing from our works to enter God's Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-10). Yet Israel's rest proved temporary; disobedience brought renewed conflict. Christ alone provides eternal, unshakeable rest through His finished work.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'rest' Israel experienced lasted through Joshua's lifetime and into the early judges period before cyclical apostasy brought renewed warfare (Judges 2:10-19). This rest fulfilled Deuteronomy 12:10's conditional promise: obedience brings rest, disobedience brings oppression. Ancient Near Eastern warfare was endemic—city-states constantly raided neighbors, requiring perpetual military readiness. Israel's rest from surrounding enemies was extraordinary, demonstrating divine protection beyond natural explanation. The statement that no enemy stood before Israel doesn't mean no conflicts occurred but that no enemy achieved strategic victory or threatened Israel's existence. Archaeological evidence shows the Late Bronze Age/Iron Age I transition (roughly Joshua's period) involved widespread urban destruction in Canaan followed by new settlement patterns—consistent with Israelite conquest and settlement bringing regional stability. The rest experienced during Joshua's generation was partial fulfillment of ultimate eschatological rest promised to God's people. Hebrews 3-4 uses Israel's failure to maintain this rest as warning against unbelief, showing that full rest awaits believers in the age to come when all enemies are defeated and God dwells with His people eternally.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'rest' has Christ provided that you're failing to enjoy due to unbelief or self-reliance?
  2. How does Israel's temporary rest warn against assuming present blessings will continue without ongoing faithfulness?
  3. In what ways does God's giving Israel rest from enemies picture the greater rest from sin, death, and Satan that Christ provides?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּ֨נַח1 of 20

“gave them rest”

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

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 20

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

לָהֶם֙3 of 20
H0
מִסָּבִ֔יב4 of 20

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

כְּכֹ֥ל5 of 20
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר6 of 20
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֖ע7 of 20

“according to all that he sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לַֽאֲבוֹתָ֑ם8 of 20

“unto their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְלֹא9 of 20
H3808

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

עָ֨מַד10 of 20

“and there stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אִ֤ישׁ11 of 20

“not a 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)

בִּפְנֵיהֶם֙12 of 20

“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

מִכָּל13 of 20
H3605

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

אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם14 of 20

“all their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

אֵ֚ת15 of 20
H853

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

כָּל16 of 20
H3605

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

אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם17 of 20

“all their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

נָתַ֥ן18 of 20

“delivered”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 20

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּיָדָֽם׃20 of 20

“into their hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 21:44 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 21:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 11:23Hebrews 4:9Deuteronomy 31:3-5Deuteronomy 7:22-24Exodus 23:31Joshua 1:13

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