King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:5 Mean?

Joshua 22:5 in the King James Version says “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the L... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Joshua 22:5 · KJV


Context

3

Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

4

And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.

5

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

6

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.

7

Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's charge to Transjordan tribes—'But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul'—comprehensively summarizes covenant faithfulness. Love, walking, keeping, cleaving, serving—together these represent total devotion. The dual focus on heart and soul ensures internal reality matches external compliance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This farewell charge to Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh occurred as they returned east of Jordan after fulfilling their commitment to help conquer Canaan (1:12-18). Their separation from the main tribes created concern about maintaining unity, addressed through altar construction (verses 10-34). Joshua's emphasis on covenant faithfulness shows that geographical distance shouldn't produce spiritual drift. The charge's language echoes Deuteronomy, maintaining Mosaic teaching's authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain spiritual faithfulness when separated from regular fellowship and accountability?
  2. What comprehensive covenant obedience looks like practically in loving, walking, keeping, cleaving, and serving God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
רַ֣ק׀1 of 30
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר2 of 30

and to keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מְאֹ֗ד3 of 30

But take diligent

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

לַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת4 of 30

to do

H6213

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

אֶת5 of 30
H853

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

מִצְוֹתָ֖יו6 of 30

his commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

וְאֶת7 of 30
H853

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

הַתּוֹרָה֮8 of 30

and the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 30
H834

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

צִוָּ֣ה10 of 30

charged

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶתְכֶם֮11 of 30
H853

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

מֹשֶׁ֣ה12 of 30

which Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֶֽבֶד13 of 30

the servant

H5650

a servant

יְהוָ֨ה14 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

לְ֠אַֽהֲבָה15 of 30

you to love

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

אֶת16 of 30
H853

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

יְהוָ֨ה17 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֜ם18 of 30

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

וְלָלֶ֧כֶת19 of 30
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּכָל20 of 30
H3605

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

דְּרָכָ֛יו21 of 30

in all his ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר22 of 30

and to keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מִצְוֹתָ֖יו23 of 30

his commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

וּלְדָבְקָה24 of 30

and to cleave

H1692

properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

ב֑וֹ25 of 30
H0
וּלְעָבְד֕וֹ26 of 30

unto him and to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

בְּכָל27 of 30
H3605

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

לְבַבְכֶ֖ם28 of 30

him with all your heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וּבְכָל29 of 30
H3605

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

נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃30 of 30

and with all your soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


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 22:5 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 22:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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