Joshua 1:17 kjv

According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

Joshua 1:17 nkjv

Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.

Joshua 1:17 niv

Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.

Joshua 1:17 esv

Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses!

Joshua 1:17 nlt

We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.

Joshua 1 verses

Joshua 1 17 Meaning

Joshua 1:17 captures the resolute pledge of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to Joshua, promising him the same unwavering obedience they had shown to Moses. This commitment is explicitly made conditional upon Joshua's steadfast obedience to God's commands and his cultivation of strength and courage, bolstered by the assurance of the LORD's continual presence with him, just as He was with Moses. It signifies a vital transfer of divine authority and a foundational agreement for the success of the upcoming conquest.

Joshua 1 17 Context

Joshua 1:17 falls within the introductory chapter of the Book of Joshua, immediately following the LORD's commission to Joshua (Josh 1:1-9) and Joshua's subsequent commands to the Israelite officers and the two-and-a-half tribes (Josh 1:10-15). Specifically, verses 16-18 present the collective response of these tribes, affirming their allegiance and promising obedience to Joshua as the new leader. This verse encapsulates their verbal commitment, drawing a direct parallel between their previous loyalty to Moses and their newly pledged loyalty to Joshua. The historical context is the immediate aftermath of Moses' death, as Israel stands on the precipice of entering the Promised Land, necessitating a smooth and divinely sanctioned transition of leadership for the impending military and spiritual tasks.

Joshua 1 17 Word analysis

• Just as we obeyed Moses: asher shim'anu el-Moshe (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ אֶל-מֹשֶׁה).
  • shamah (שָׁמַענוּ): "We obeyed," "we heard and obeyed." This word carries the sense of not just hearing, but listening attentively with the intent to act, embodying faithful submission. It signifies past loyalty.
  • This phrase highlights continuity of divine authority. The people recognize that Joshua's leadership is a direct succession, divinely appointed like Moses'. It assures Joshua of their trust, contingent on his fidelity.
• in all things: ba'kol (בַּכֹּל).
  • "In everything" or "fully." This expresses comprehensive, unqualified obedience, not just in specific areas, but in total submission to his directives.
• so we will obey you: ken nish'ma laḵ (כֵּן נִשְׁמַע לָךְ).
  • nish'ma (נִשְׁמַע): "We will obey," future tense of shamah. Reinforces the covenantal promise. The future loyalty is directly modeled after the past exemplary obedience to Moses.
• Only: rak (רַק).
  • A crucial word, serving as a conditional or restrictive particle. It implies, "provided that," "so long as," or "nevertheless." This indicates their promise of obedience is not unconditional but dependent on Joshua's fulfillment of certain divine mandates given to him in previous verses (Josh 1:6-9). This isn't defiance, but an echoing of the conditions God placed on Joshua's success.
• be strong: techezak (תֶּחֱזַק).
  • chazaq (חֲזַק): "Be strong," "take firm hold," "be resolute." Implies inner resolve, physical strength, and determination. It is a command repeated multiple times to Joshua by the LORD (Josh 1:6, 1:7, 1:9).
• and courageous: we'ematz (וְתֶאֱמָץ).
  • amats (אָמַץ): "Be courageous," "be bold," "stand firm." Implies valor, steadfastness in the face of fear or difficulty. Often paired with chazaq to emphasize unwavering determination in military and spiritual endeavors.
• as the LORD your God is with you: ka'asher hayah Yehovah Eloheyḵa im'kha (כַּאֲשֶׁר הָיָה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ עִמָּךְ).
  • Yehovah Eloheyḵa (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ): "The LORD your God." Reinforces God's personal covenant relationship with Israel and with Joshua specifically. This emphasizes that strength and courage come from a divine source, not merely human fortitude.
  • hayah im'kha (הָיָה עִמָּךְ): "He was/will be with you." This expresses the abiding, active presence and support of God. It's the ultimate source of Joshua's leadership effectiveness and the people's confidence.
• just as He was with Moses: ka'asher hayah im-Moshe (כַּאֲשֶׁר הָיָה עִם-מֹשֶׁה).
  • This phrase creates a powerful parallelism, legitimizing Joshua's leadership. The standard for divine presence and empowerment is Moses, the preeminent leader of Israel. If God is with Joshua as He was with Moses, then Joshua's authority is beyond question, deserving of the people's full obedience.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you.": This passage affirms a smooth and legitimate transition of authority. It speaks to the unity of the people and their continued commitment to the divine plan, now channeled through Joshua. It is an act of communal fidelity.
• "Only be strong and courageous,": This conditional statement sets the terms for their full allegiance. It mirrors God's earlier exhortations to Joshua (Josh 1:6, 1:7, 1:9), demonstrating that the people understand Joshua's success, and their obedience, is tied to his continued reliance on God's strength and adherence to His word.
• "as the LORD your God is with you, just as He was with Moses.": This establishes the theological foundation for both Joshua's strength and the people's obedience. God's presence is the key differentiator and enabler. It ensures the continuity of divine leadership and validates Joshua's appointment by comparing it to the paradigmatic leadership of Moses.

Joshua 1 17 Bonus section

The promise "Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you" sets a high standard for Joshua. The use of "only" (rak) places the onus of the covenant on Joshua's continued walk with God. This establishes a theological principle where human obedience and courage are not ends in themselves, but responses to and contingent upon God's empowering presence. The people's perspective implicitly validates the Deuteronomic theology that God's favor is conditional upon Israel's (and its leaders') obedience to the covenant. This passage implicitly acts as a collective echo and affirmation of God's initial charge to Joshua, showing the unified understanding within the camp about the source of authority and success for the coming conquest.

Joshua 1 17 Commentary

Joshua 1:17 showcases the indispensable nature of spiritual authority, communal obedience, and divine presence for a people undertaking a monumental task. The people's pledge of allegiance to Joshua is significant as it transfers the loyalty previously held for Moses. This transfer is critical for maintaining national unity and fulfilling the divine commission. However, their pledge is not blind or absolute to Joshua as an individual; it is wisely conditioned on Joshua embodying the very commands God gave him in Josh 1:6-9, particularly the mandate to "be strong and courageous" and to diligently observe the Law. The people understand that Joshua's legitimacy and efficacy flow from God's presence with him, mirroring the dynamic observed during Moses' leadership. This verse highlights a theological truth: effective leadership in God's plan is not rooted in human charisma or power, but in God's active, empowering presence, which in turn calls for faith and obedience from both leader and followers.