King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:5 Mean?

Joshua 24:5 in the King James Version says “I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.”

Joshua 24:5 · KJV

Context

3

And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

4

And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

5

I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.

6

And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.

7

And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. This verse is part of Joshua's farewell address, rehearsing God's mighty acts in Israel's history. The Hebrew verb shalach (שָׁלַח, "I sent") emphasizes divine initiative and commissioning. God personally sent Moses and Aaron as His agents of deliverance. The phrase va'egoph (וָאֶגֹּף, "and I plagued") uses a verb meaning to strike or smite, referring to the ten plagues.

The emphatic first-person pronouns throughout this chapter ("I sent... I plagued... I brought you out") stress that deliverance was entirely God's work, not human achievement. The phrase ka'asher asiti bekirbo (כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי בְקִרְבּוֹ, "according to that which I did among them") recalls the specific plagues God inflicted on Egypt—water to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of firstborn.

This recitation of redemptive history serves a covenant renewal purpose. Joshua reminds Israel that their existence as a nation results from God's sovereign grace and power, not their merit or strength. The exodus from Egypt is the foundational salvation event of the Old Testament, prefiguring Christ's greater exodus accomplished through His death and resurrection (Luke 9:31), delivering believers from slavery to sin and Satan.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua's farewell address at Shechem (Joshua 24) occurred near the end of his life, approximately 1390-1380 BC by conservative dating. Shechem held deep historical significance—it was where Abraham first received God's promise of the land (Genesis 12:6-7), where Jacob buried foreign gods (Genesis 35:4), and where Joseph's bones were buried (Joshua 24:32). Choosing Shechem for this covenant renewal ceremony connected Israel's present commitment to their ancestral promises.

The exodus from Egypt, referenced here, occurred approximately 40 years earlier. Egyptian records from the 18th Dynasty (1550-1295 BC) document the presence of Semitic peoples (Asiatics) in Egypt, some in forced labor, confirming the biblical narrative's historical plausibility. The ten plagues systematically demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy over Egypt's gods: the Nile (Hapi), frogs (Heqet), the sun (Ra), livestock (Apis bull), etc.

Joshua's rehearsal of redemptive history follows the structure of ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, which began by recounting the suzerain's (overlord's) mighty acts on behalf of the vassal before stating treaty obligations. This covenant renewal thus follows established Ancient Near Eastern diplomatic patterns, but with Yahweh as the divine Suzerain who has redeemed Israel. The people's response (verse 16-18) affirms their commitment to serve Yahweh based on His proven faithfulness and power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's past faithfulness and mighty acts strengthen our faith in present challenges?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's initiative in salvation versus human effort or merit?
  3. How should the pattern of rehearsing redemptive history shape our worship, teaching, and testimony?
  4. In what ways does the exodus from Egypt prefigure Christ's greater deliverance from sin and death?
  5. How can we cultivate regular remembrance of God's specific acts of deliverance and provision in our lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וָֽאֶשְׁלַ֞ח1 of 14

“I sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 14
H853

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

מֹשֶׁ֤ה3 of 14

“Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאֶֽת4 of 14
H853

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

אַהֲרֹן֙5 of 14

“also and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וָֽאֶגֹּ֣ף6 of 14

“and I plagued”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

אֶת7 of 14
H853

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

מִצְרַ֔יִם8 of 14

“Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 14

“according to that which”

H834

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

עָשִׂ֖יתִי10 of 14

“I did”

H6213

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

בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ11 of 14

“among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וְאַחַ֖ר12 of 14

“them and afterward”

H310

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

הוֹצֵ֥אתִי13 of 14

“I brought you out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶתְכֶֽם׃14 of 14
H853

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

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 24:5 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 24:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 3:10Exodus 7:1-12Exodus 4:12-14Psalms 135:8-9Exodus 12:51Exodus 12:37

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Joshua 24 →

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 24 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes