King James Version

What Does Joshua 23:14 Mean?

Joshua 23:14 in the King James Version says “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that no... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Joshua 23:14 · KJV


Context

12

Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

14

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

15

Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

16

When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's testimony—'And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof'—reviews God's absolute faithfulness. The phrase 'not one thing hath failed' emphatically testifies to complete promise fulfillment. The appeal to comprehensive knowledge ('all your hearts and souls') invokes their experiential testimony. God's perfect track record should generate absolute trust.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This deathbed testimony parallels Moses' farewell (Deuteronomy), establishing the pattern of leaders reviewing God's faithfulness before transition. Joshua's claim of complete fulfillment must be understood within conquest context—major promises accomplished, though details remained. His imminent death ('going the way of all the earth') created urgency for the charge. The generation that conquered Canaan could testify personally to God's faithfulness, making their testimony powerful for children who hadn't experienced it directly.

Reflection Questions

  1. What personal testimony can you give of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
  2. How does reviewing past faithfulness strengthen trust for current and future challenges?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וְהִנֵּ֨ה1 of 33
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֤י2 of 33
H595

i

הוֹלֵךְ֙3 of 33

I am going

H1980

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

הַיּ֔וֹם4 of 33

And behold this day

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

בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ5 of 33

the way

H1870

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

כָּל6 of 33
H3605

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ7 of 33

of all the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֞ם8 of 33

and ye know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בְּכָל9 of 33
H3605

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

לְבַבְכֶ֣ם10 of 33

in all your hearts

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וּבְכָל11 of 33
H3605

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

נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם12 of 33

and in all your souls

H5315

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

כִּ֣י13 of 33
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹֽא14 of 33
H3808

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

נָפַ֥ל15 of 33

hath failed

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

דָּבָ֥ר16 of 33

thing

H1697

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

אֶחָֽד׃17 of 33

that not one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִכֹּ֣ל׀18 of 33
H3605

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

דָּבָ֥ר19 of 33

thing

H1697

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

הַטּוֹבִ֗ים20 of 33

of all the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲשֶׁ֨ר21 of 33
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֜ר22 of 33

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֤ה23 of 33

which the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙24 of 33

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

עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם25 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַכֹּל֙26 of 33
H3605

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

בָּ֣אוּ27 of 33

concerning you all are come to pass

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָכֶ֔ם28 of 33
H0
לֹֽא29 of 33
H3808

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

נָפַ֥ל30 of 33

hath failed

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ31 of 33
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

דָּבָ֥ר32 of 33

thing

H1697

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

אֶחָֽד׃33 of 33

that not one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first


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 23:14 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 23:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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