King James Version

What Does Joshua 23:15 Mean?

Joshua 23:15 in the King James Version says “Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so sha... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 23:15 · KJV


Context

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
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.

This verse articulates the bilateral nature of covenant: just as God faithfully fulfills promised blessings, He will equally faithfully execute threatened curses. The phrase "as all good things are come upon you" acknowledges God's complete fulfillment of positive promises—they possessed the land, defeated enemies, enjoyed rest. The parallel structure "so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things" warns that covenant curses are equally certain. God's faithfulness operates in both directions—blessing obedience and judging disobedience with equal reliability.

The Hebrew construction emphasizes totality: "all" (kol, כֹּל) appears four times in this verse, stressing comprehensive fulfillment of both blessings and curses. Reformed theology emphasizes God's absolute faithfulness to His word—He cannot lie or fail to fulfill His promises (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). This means that just as believers can confidently trust God's promises of salvation, sanctification, and glorification, so must we soberly acknowledge that His warnings of discipline for persistent disobedience will certainly be fulfilled.

The phrase "until he have destroyed you from off this good land" uses strong language (ad hishmido, עַד הַשְׁמִידוֹ, "until destroying") that was literally fulfilled in the exile. The land's designation as "good" (tovah, טוֹבָה) even in judgment context underscores the tragedy—Israel will lose a wonderful gift through covenant violation. This teaches that God's gifts, while graciously given, remain conditional on covenant faithfulness. Even genuine believers face divine discipline when persisting in sin (Hebrews 12:5-11), though believers' ultimate salvation remains secure (John 10:28-29).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pattern of blessing-for-obedience and curse-for-disobedience permeates ancient Near Eastern treaty documents, particularly Hittite suzerainty treaties. These treaties included lengthy lists of blessings for vassals who kept treaty terms and curses for those who violated them. Israel's covenant with Yahweh followed similar form (Deuteronomy 28) but with crucial differences: other treaties bound vassals to human overlords; Israel's covenant bound them to the Creator. Other treaties included capricious gods who might break treaty terms; Yahweh's absolute faithfulness meant complete reliability in both blessing and curse.

The historical fulfillment of Joshua's warning came gradually. The northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BCE after persistent idolatry despite repeated prophetic warnings (2 Kings 17:7-23). The southern kingdom fell to Babylon in 586 BCE, with Jerusalem destroyed and population exiled (2 Kings 25). These disasters vindicated Joshua's warning made centuries earlier—covenant violation eventually brings covenant curse, though God's patience provides extended opportunity for repentance. The prophets repeatedly called Israel back, offering forgiveness if they would return (Jeremiah 3:12-14; Hosea 14:1-4), but persistent rebellion finally exhausted divine patience.

The exile wasn't covenant failure but covenant fulfillment—God executed the curses He had promised through Moses and Joshua. Yet even in judgment, God maintained redemptive purposes. The exile wasn't permanent annihilation but temporary discipline. God promised eventual restoration (Jeremiah 29:10-14; Isaiah 40:1-2), fulfilled when remnants returned under Ezra and Nehemiah. This demonstrates that covenant curses, while terribly real, ultimately serve redemptive purposes—bringing God's people to repentance and restoration rather than absolute destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's faithfulness in executing covenant curses as well as blessings affect your understanding of His character?
  2. What does the certainty of divine discipline for persistent sin teach about the seriousness with which Christians should pursue holiness?
  3. How do we balance confidence in eternal security with soberness about temporal consequences of covenant disobedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 32
H1961

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר2 of 32
H834

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

יָבִ֨יא3 of 32

are come

H935

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

עֲלֵיכֶם֙4 of 32
H5921

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

כָּל5 of 32
H3605

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

הַדָּבָ֣ר6 of 32

things

H1697

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

הַטּוֹבָה֙7 of 32

Therefore it shall come to pass that as all 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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 32
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֛ר9 of 32

promised

H1696

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

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 32

upon you which the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃11 of 32

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

אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם12 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֵּן֩13 of 32
H3651

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

יָבִ֨יא14 of 32

are come

H935

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

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 32

upon you which the LORD

H3068

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

עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם16 of 32
H5921

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

אֵ֚ת17 of 32
H853

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

כָּל18 of 32
H3605

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

הַדָּבָ֣ר19 of 32

things

H1697

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

הָרָ֔ע20 of 32

upon you all evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

עַד21 of 32
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַשְׁמִיד֣וֹ22 of 32

until he have destroyed

H8045

to desolate

אֽוֹתְכֶ֗ם23 of 32
H853

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

מֵ֠עַל24 of 32
H5921

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

הָֽאֲדָמָ֤ה25 of 32

land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

הַטּוֹבָה֙26 of 32

Therefore it shall come to pass that as all 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

הַזֹּ֔את27 of 32
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֲשֶׁר֙28 of 32
H834

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

נָתַ֣ן29 of 32

hath given

H5414

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

לָכֶ֔ם30 of 32
H0
יְהוָ֖ה31 of 32

upon you which the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃32 of 32

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


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 23:15 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 23:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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