King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:7 Mean?

Joshua 24:7 in the King James Version says “And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and cov... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 24:7 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

9

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians (וַיִּצְעֲקוּ אֶל־יְהוָה וַיָּשֶׂם מַאֲפֵל בֵּינֵיכֶם וּבֵין הַמִּצְרִים)—the verb tza'aq (צָעַק, to cry out in distress) describes desperate prayer in crisis. God's response, placing ma'afel (מַאֲפֵל, darkness/gloom) between Israel and Egypt, recalls the pillar of cloud that gave light to Israel while darkening Egypt's side (Exodus 14:19-20). This supernatural barrier prevented Egyptian advance.

Brought the sea upon them, and covered them—the verbs bo (to bring) and kasah (כָּסָה, to cover/overwhelm) describe total annihilation. The sea covered Pharaoh's army completely—'there remained not so much as one of them' (Exodus 14:28). Your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt—Joshua's audience included those who were children during the Exodus (under age 20, thus exempt from wilderness judgment, Numbers 14:29). They were eyewitnesses to God's power, making their potential apostasy inexcusable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Red Sea deliverance (c. 1446 BC) destroyed Egypt's military might, enabling Israel's escape. The 'long season' in the wilderness refers to 40 years of wandering (1446-1406 BC) due to unbelief at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 13-14). The generation that witnessed the plagues and sea crossing died in the wilderness, except Caleb and Joshua. Joshua's audience at Shechem consisted of the next generation—those who were children during the Exodus but adults during the conquest. This eyewitness appeal ('your eyes have seen') made covenant renewal urgent.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Israel's cry to the LORD teach about prayer in humanly impossible situations?
  2. How does God's placement of darkness between Israel and Egypt illustrate divine protection of His people?
  3. Why does Joshua emphasize 'your eyes have seen'—how does eyewitness testimony strengthen covenant accountability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיִּצְעֲק֣וּ1 of 23

And when they cried

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

אֶל2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 23

unto the LORD

H3068

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

וַיָּ֨שֶׂם4 of 23

he put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל5 of 23

darkness

H3990

something opaque

בֵּֽינֵיכֶ֣ם׀6 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵ֣ין7 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַמִּצְרִ֗ים8 of 23

between you and the Egyptians

H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

וַיָּבֵ֨א9 of 23

and brought

H935

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

עָלָ֤יו10 of 23
H5921

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

אֶת11 of 23
H853

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

הַיָּם֙12 of 23

the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וַיְכַסֵּ֔הוּ13 of 23

upon them and covered

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

וַתִּרְאֶ֙ינָה֙14 of 23

have seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם15 of 23

them and your eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֵ֥ת16 of 23
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר17 of 23
H834

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

עָשִׂ֖יתִי18 of 23

what I have done

H6213

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

בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם19 of 23

in Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַתֵּֽשְׁב֥וּ20 of 23

and ye dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בַמִּדְבָּ֖ר21 of 23

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

יָמִ֥ים22 of 23

season

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

רַבִּֽים׃23 of 23

a long

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)


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 24:7 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 24:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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