King James Version

What Does Joshua 3:10 Mean?

Joshua 3:10 in the King James Version says “And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from bef...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.”

Joshua 3:10 · King James Version

Context

8

And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.

9

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.

10

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

11

Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.

12

Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

Read Joshua 3 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Joshua's prophetic declaration establishes the Jordan crossing as proof of God's presence and power. The phrase 'the living God' (El chai, אֵל חַי) contrasts Yahweh with Canaan's dead idols—He is alive, active, and powerful to save. This title emphasizes God's vitality and ability to intervene in history, as opposed to the lifeless gods of the nations who can neither hear, speak, nor act (Psalm 115:4-7). The promise 'is among you' (beqirbkhem, בְּקִרְבְּכֶם) indicates divine presence dwelling in Israel's midst, a privilege unique to the covenant people. The comprehensive list of seven Canaanite nations—Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, Jebusites—represents complete conquest and divine judgment. The phrase 'without fail drive out' (yarosh yorish, יָרוֹשׁ יוֹרִישׁ) uses Hebrew infinitive absolute for emphatic certainty: God will absolutely, certainly, definitely dispossess these nations. This grammatical construction removes all doubt. The miracle about to occur (Jordan's waters stopping) will authenticate both God's presence and His promise to give Israel the land.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The enumeration of seven Canaanite nations appears frequently in Scripture (Deuteronomy 7:1; Acts 13:19), representing the peoples occupying Canaan during Israel's conquest. These groups practiced abominable religious rites including child sacrifice to Molech, ritual prostitution, and divination—practices that filled up the measure of their iniquity (Genesis 15:16). God's judgment through Israel was not ethnic cleansing but divine retribution for centuries of moral degradation and idolatry. The 'living God' contrasts sharply with Baal, Asherah, Molech, and other Canaanite deities who demanded horrible sacrifices yet could provide neither salvation nor life. Archaeological evidence from sites throughout Canaan confirms the prevalence of these idolatrous practices. The miracle at Jordan echoed the Red Sea crossing 40 years earlier, establishing continuity between Moses and Joshua and demonstrating that the same God who delivered Israel from Egypt would give them the land. This dual exodus—from Egypt and into Canaan—frames Israel's redemptive history.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'living God' evidences in your life demonstrate to skeptics that God is real and active today?
  2. How does knowing God is 'among you' change your confidence in facing overwhelming opposition or challenges?
  3. What modern idols (career, wealth, pleasure, approval) function as 'dead gods' in your life, and how does the 'living God' expose their powerlessness?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 23

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ2 of 23

“And Joshua”

H3091

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

בְּזֹאת֙3 of 23
H2063

this (often used adverb)

תֵּֽדְע֔וּן4 of 23

“Hereby ye shall know”

H3045

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

כִּ֛י5 of 23
H3588

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

אֵ֥ל6 of 23

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

חַ֖י7 of 23

“that the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם8 of 23

“is among”

H7130

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

יוֹרִ֣ישׁ9 of 23

“drive out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

יוֹרִ֣ישׁ10 of 23

“drive out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

מִ֠פְּנֵיכֶם11 of 23

“from before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶת12 of 23
H853

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

הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֨י13 of 23

“you the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְאֶת14 of 23
H853

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

הַֽחִתִּ֜י15 of 23

“and the Hittites”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְאֶת16 of 23
H853

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

הַֽחִוִּ֗י17 of 23

“and the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְאֶת18 of 23
H853

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

הַפְּרִזִּי֙19 of 23

“and the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְאֶת20 of 23
H853

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

הַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֔י21 of 23

“and the Girgashites”

H1622

a girgashite, one of the native tribes of canaan

וְהָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י22 of 23

“and the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃23 of 23

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

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 3:10 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 3:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 7:1Exodus 33:2Psalms 44:2-3Hebrews 10:311 Samuel 17:26Deuteronomy 31:17

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 3 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes