Joshua 1:14 kjv

Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them;

Joshua 1:14 nkjv

Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them,

Joshua 1:14 niv

Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them

Joshua 1:14 esv

Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them,

Joshua 1:14 nlt

Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them

Joshua 1 verses

Joshua 1 14 Meaning

Joshua 1:14 records Joshua's command to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, reminding them of their previous commitment to Moses. Their families and livestock were to remain in the inheritance they had already received east of the Jordan River. However, the men of war from these tribes were to cross the Jordan ahead of the other Israelite tribes, armed for battle, and assist them in conquering the land of Canaan. This verse emphasizes their prior covenant to participate in the united military effort for the entire nation.

Joshua 1 14 Context

Joshua 1:14 falls within the opening chapter of the Book of Joshua, immediately after God's commission of Joshua and Joshua's subsequent commands to the Israelite officers to prepare the people for crossing the Jordan. This verse specifically addresses the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh). Historically, these tribes had, under Moses, requested and been granted land east of the Jordan River, but only on the condition that their men of war would participate in the conquest of Canaan alongside the other tribes. Joshua's words here serve as a crucial reminder of this covenant, highlighting the expectation of national unity and shared responsibility in the immense task ahead. It sets a precedent for cooperation and mutual aid necessary for achieving God's purposes.

Joshua 1 14 Word analysis

• Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock: Hebrew: נְשֵׁיכֶם וְטַפְּכֶם וּמִקְנֵכֶם (nesheykhem v'tapchem u'miqnekhem) nesheykhem: your wives, indicating their permanent settlement and security. tapchem: your little ones/children, signifying the most vulnerable members of the community. miqnekhem: your livestock, representing their primary wealth and livelihood. Significance: These three categories represent everything precious and vital for settled, stable life. Their protection in the secure inheritance allowed the fighting men to focus on the military task without distraction or concern for their families' immediate welfare.
• shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan: Hebrew: יֵשְׁבוּ בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָכֶם מֹשֶׁה מֵעֵבֶר לַיַּרְדֵּן (yeishvu ba'aretz asher natan lakhem Moshe me'ever laYarden) yeishvu: shall dwell/remain, indicating a settled, permanent residence. asher natan lakhem Moshe: which Moses gave you, highlighting the divine authority and prior covenant. This wasn't a new negotiation but an enforcement of a long-standing agreement (Num 32, Deut 3). me'ever laYarden: beyond the Jordan (east of the Jordan). This phrase geographically designates the territory already occupied by these tribes, differentiating it from the yet-to-be-conquered land to the west. It sets a clear boundary for their families while their men proceeded into conflict.
• but you shall cross before your brethren armed: Hebrew: וְאַתֶּם תַּעַבְרוּ לִפְנֵי אֲחֵיכֶם חֲלוּצִים (v'atem ta'avru lifnei aheykhem halutzim) v'atem ta'avru: but you shall cross over, a direct command and expectation of movement and action. lifnei aheykhem: before your brethren, denoting a leading position, as a vanguard. This signifies their commitment to be the tip of the spear in the initial assault, bearing the brunt of the immediate danger, showcasing their sincerity in fulfilling their oath. halutzim: armed/prepared for battle. This specific term implies being stripped down for warfare, ready for combat. It indicates readiness, equipped for engagement, and distinct from those settled with families. It also means they were specifically disencumbered of their belongings.
• all your mighty men of valor: Hebrew: כֹּל גִּבּוֹרֵי הֶחָיִל (kol gibborei haHayil) kol: all, emphasizing total mobilization, no exceptions for those capable. gibborei haHayil: mighty men of valor, a term referring to strong, courageous warriors, capable fighters. This ensures that the contribution is not symbolic but substantial, providing vital military strength to the national effort.
• and shall help them: Hebrew: וַעֲזַרְתֶּם אוֹתָם (va'azartem otam) va'azartem: and you shall help, a clear imperative indicating mutual support, assistance, and shared burden. otam: them (referring to their brethren, the other tribes). Significance: This phrase is the crux of the agreement and the essence of the communal obligation. It highlights that the conquest was a united endeavor, not just for the benefit of those receiving the land in Canaan, but for the entire covenant people of Israel. It underlines the principle of corporate responsibility within the nation of God.

Joshua 1 14 Bonus section

The fulfillment of the promise to the Transjordanian tribes (acquiring land without having fought for it first) was contingent upon their military participation in the conquest west of the Jordan. This temporary self-denial for the greater communal good prevented potential jealousy and disunity among the tribes. The phrase "beyond the Jordan" (ever haYarden) is a key geographical marker throughout the Book of Joshua, not only designating the acquired territory of these tribes but also highlighting the river as the crucial boundary of the Promised Land, the destination of the Exodus, and the entry point for the conquest. The steadfastness of these tribes in fulfilling their pledge (as seen in Josh 22:1-4) became a testament to their integrity and an example of tribal cooperation, despite later minor misunderstandings.

Joshua 1 14 Commentary

Joshua 1:14 stands as a critical reminder of fidelity to an oath and the principle of corporate responsibility within God's covenant people. Joshua, newly appointed leader, did not need to renegotiate; he simply enforced Moses' prior, God-ordained directive. This verse highlights the foundational biblical concept that while individuals or groups may receive specific blessings (land in Transjordan), these blessings come with responsibilities to the wider community. The "mighty men of valor" were expected to put aside their immediate comforts and secured possessions to actively participate in the welfare and promise fulfillment of the whole nation. Their leading position as "armed" vanguards underscores their sincerity and readiness for self-sacrifice, setting an example of unity and devotion required for God's purposes to unfold. It exemplifies the practical outworking of mutual support necessary for accomplishing daunting tasks.

• Practical Examples:
  • A strong member of a church serving a mission trip, leaving comfort behind to aid others in spiritual need.
  • A mature believer patiently mentoring a new convert, sharing their knowledge and time.