King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:31 Mean?

Joshua 24:31 in the King James Version says “And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had k... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. overlived: Heb. prolonged their days after Joshua

Joshua 24:31 · KJV


Context

29

And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

30

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.

31

And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. overlived: Heb. prolonged their days after Joshua

32

And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. pieces: or, lambs

33

And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel—Faithfulness continued while eyewitnesses lived. All the days of Joshua testifies to his leadership's spiritual impact. The elders which had known (asher yadu, אֲשֶׁר יָדְעוּ, 'who had experienced') kept faith alive through personal testimony.

This explains Judges' tragic pattern: the generation that experienced God's acts remained faithful, but the next generation apostatized (Judges 2:10). Experiential knowledge transfers imperfectly. Each generation must encounter God personally, not merely inherit stories. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 addresses this: parents must actively teach children about God's works.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase anticipates Judges 2:7, which repeats it verbatim before describing Israel's descent into apostasy. Scholars estimate this faithful period lasted 20-30 years after Joshua's death. The elders' deaths marked a catastrophic leadership vacuum that the judge cycle attempted to fill.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you ensure the next generation experiences God personally, not just hears your stories?
  2. What spiritual truths must each generation rediscover rather than merely inherit?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֤ד1 of 24

served

H5647

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

לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃2 of 24

And Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶת3 of 24
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

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

כֹּ֖ל5 of 24
H3605

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

יָמִים֙6 of 24

all the days

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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ7 of 24

Joshua

H3091

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

וְכֹ֣ל׀8 of 24
H3605

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

יָמִים֙9 of 24

all the days

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

הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים10 of 24

of the elders

H2205

old

אֲשֶׁ֨ר11 of 24
H834

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

הֶֽאֱרִ֤יכוּ12 of 24

that overlived

H748

to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)

יָמִים֙13 of 24

all the days

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י14 of 24
H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ15 of 24

Joshua

H3091

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

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 24
H834

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

יָֽדְע֗וּ17 of 24

and which had known

H3045

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

אֵ֚ת18 of 24
H853

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

כָּל19 of 24
H3605

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

מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה20 of 24

all the works

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְהוָ֔ה21 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר22 of 24
H834

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

עָשָׂ֖ה23 of 24

that he had done

H6213

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

לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃24 of 24

And Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 24:31 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 24:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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