Joshua 1:1 kjv
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Joshua 1:1 nkjv
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying:
Joshua 1:1 niv
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide:
Joshua 1:1 esv
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
Joshua 1:1 nlt
After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said,
Joshua 1 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 34:5 | So Moses the servant of the LORD died there... | Moses' ultimate designation and death. |
| Deut 31:7 | Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him... be strong and courageous... | Moses commissions Joshua to lead. |
| Num 27:18-23 | Take Joshua the son of Nun... lay your hand on him... commission him... | God's instruction for Moses to appoint Joshua. |
| Exod 33:11 | ...Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent. | Joshua's prior role as Moses' assistant/apprentice. |
| Gen 12:7 | Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." | God's original promise of the land. |
| Gen 15:18 | On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land..." | Reiteration of the land covenant. |
| Deut 1:38 | Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter it... | God specifically names Joshua as successor. |
| Deut 3:28 | ...commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him... | Further divine command for Joshua's leadership. |
| Deut 31:23 | And he commissioned Joshua... saying, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people..." | God personally commissions Joshua. |
| Isa 42:1 | "Behold my Servant, whom I uphold... I have put my Spirit upon him..." | Prophetic ideal of God's chosen "servant." |
| John 1:18 | No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. | God speaks and reveals Himself. |
| Heb 4:8 | For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day... | Joshua as a type foreshadowing Christ, who gives true rest. |
| Acts 3:22 | Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers...' | Foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Prophet. |
| Matt 1:21 | She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people... | Joshua (Yeshua/Jesus) and salvation. |
| Deut 6:6 | And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. | Emphasis on God's words and their importance. |
| Judg 1:1 | After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD... | Similar literary transition, shows pattern of leadership succession. |
| Exod 24:13 | So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua... | Highlights Joshua's longstanding support role. |
| Zech 3:1-8 | Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD... | A different Joshua, but highlights divine calling and cleansing. (Less direct, but relevant to name meaning) |
| John 5:46 | For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. | Moses' writings pointing to Jesus, showing continuity of God's plan. |
| Luke 16:29 | He said to him, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' | Importance of Mosaic law, linking old and new. |
| Rom 15:4 | For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction... | Relevance of Old Testament narrative for believers. |
| Gal 3:8 | And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham... | God's consistent plan from Abraham to the church, through key leaders like Joshua. |
Joshua 1 verses
Joshua 1 1 Meaning
Joshua 1:1 marks a profound transition in the history of Israel, signaling the end of Moses' leadership and the beginning of Joshua's commission to lead the people into the Promised Land. It establishes God as the sovereign initiator of this new phase, speaking directly to Joshua and reaffirming His enduring covenant promises despite the death of His most esteemed servant. The verse sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's ancient pledge to Abraham, underscoring divine continuity and purpose.
Joshua 1 1 Context
Joshua 1:1 bridges the Pentateuch with the historical books, serving as a direct continuation of Deuteronomy, particularly Deuteronomy 34 which recounts the death of Moses. The historical context is crucial: Israel has spent forty years wandering in the wilderness due to their disobedience. Now, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, they face new challenges without their long-revered leader. The verse immediately re-establishes God's active involvement and covenant faithfulness as the unchanging reality guiding Israel. It demonstrates that God's plans transcend individual human leaders and His promises will be fulfilled through new agents chosen and empowered by Him.
Joshua 1 1 Word analysis
- Now after: The Hebrew wa-y'hi (וַיְהִי) often marks a significant narrative transition, indicating a new phase or event. It emphasizes continuity while highlighting a dramatic shift.
- the death of Moses: A pivotal and somber moment. Moses, the mediator of the Law, the liberator, and the intercessor, concludes his earthly mission as recounted in Deut 34. This phrase signals the beginning of a new era.
- the servant of the LORD: Hebrew 'eved Yahweh (עֶבֶד יְהוָה). This is a profound and honorable title, denoting intimate relationship, loyalty, and divine election. It highlights Moses' unique standing before God and emphasizes that his leadership was by divine appointment. Other significant "servants of the LORD" in Scripture include Abraham (Gen 26:24), Job (Job 1:8), and prophetically, the Suffering Servant (Isa 42-53) and ultimately Jesus Christ (Phil 2:7, Acts 3:13).
- it came to pass that: Another common Hebrew narrative conjunction, reinforcing the beginning of a new, divinely orchestrated event.
- the LORD: Hebrew Yahweh (יְהוָה), God's covenant name. This emphasizes His personal, relational, and unchanging nature, particularly in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. He is the active and consistent agent behind all that is about to unfold.
- spoke: Hebrew dabar (דָּבַר). Signifies direct, authoritative, and verbal communication. God's word is dynamic, powerful, and effective (Gen 1:3; Isa 55:11).
- to Joshua: Joshua's Hebrew name is Yehoshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This name is deeply significant, foreshadowing his role as the one who will lead Israel to experience God's salvation by bringing them into the Promised Land.
- the son of Nun: Standard way of identifying individuals in ancient Israel.
- Moses’ assistant: The Hebrew mesharat Moshe (מְשָׁרֵת מֹשֶׁה) indicates a close, dedicated attendant or aide. Joshua had been Moses' loyal servant and apprentice since the time of Exodus (Exod 24:13; 33:11; Num 11:28), implying he had been trained and prepared for this leadership transition. This position ensured a continuity of divine purpose and wisdom passed down from Moses.
- saying: Introduces the direct divine charge that will follow in Joshua 1:2-9, outlining Joshua's commission and God's promises to him.
Joshua 1 1 Bonus section
The transition from Moses to Joshua holds deep theological significance. Moses, who embodied the Law, could lead Israel only to the threshold of the Promised Land, representing the limitations of the Law to bring ultimate salvation or rest. Joshua, whose name (Yeshua) is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus, brings the people into the land, typifying how Jesus (the greater Joshua) leads believers into God's true rest and inheritance (Heb 4:8-10). This verse thus marks not just a change in human leadership, but a shift in salvation-historical epochs, ordained and directed by God Himself, assuring that His redemptive plan continues uninterrupted through chosen and equipped leaders. It is a powerful statement against any perception of God abandoning His people after a significant leader's departure.
Joshua 1 1 Commentary
Joshua 1:1 masterfully sets the stage for the Book of Joshua and the conquest of Canaan. The immediate focus on "the death of Moses" underscores a critical turning point; yet, this human tragedy is immediately eclipsed by the steadfast initiative of "the LORD," who "spoke to Joshua." This highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness as constant, independent of any human leader, no matter how great. Moses is respectfully identified by his highest honor, "the servant of the LORD," validating his past leadership even as his earthly work concludes. Joshua is presented not as an untested rookie, but as "Moses' assistant," affirming a divinely sanctioned continuity rooted in his previous faithful service and training under Moses. This verse functions as God’s confident and authoritative reaffirmation of His covenant promises to Israel, moving them from the period of preparation to the long-awaited era of possession of the land.