Joshua 1:18 kjv

Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

Joshua 1:18 nkjv

Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."

Joshua 1:18 niv

Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"

Joshua 1:18 esv

Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."

Joshua 1:18 nlt

Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!"

Joshua 1 verses

Joshua 1 18 Meaning

Joshua 1:18 records the solemn pledge of the Transjordan tribes to Joshua, demonstrating their unqualified allegiance to his divinely appointed leadership. They vow complete obedience to his every command, even to the point of enforcing capital punishment for anyone who rebels. This promise is coupled with a powerful exhortation for Joshua to "be strong and courageous," echoing God's direct words to him and affirming their commitment to his successful leadership.

Joshua 1 18 Context

Joshua 1:18 is found in the opening chapter of the Book of Joshua, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history. Following Moses' death, God formally commissions Joshua as the new leader of Israel (Josh 1:1-9), reiterating the covenant promises and providing explicit instructions regarding the conquest of Canaan. Specifically, God commands Joshua to meditate on the Law, live by it, and assures him of His presence. Joshua then issues commands to the Transjordan tribes regarding their role in the conquest (Josh 1:12-15).

In response, Joshua 1:16-18 details the Transjordan tribes' resounding affirmation of loyalty and commitment to Joshua's leadership. This immediate and complete pledge signifies a deep understanding among the people of the absolute necessity of unity and discipline for the formidable task ahead: inheriting the Promised Land through military conquest. It distinguishes this new generation, who stand ready to cross the Jordan, from their rebellious predecessors in the wilderness. Historically, this declaration solidified Joshua's position as Moses' legitimate successor, a leader whose authority was divinely sanctioned and publicly affirmed by the people, crucial for the challenging Holy War they were about to embark upon.

Joshua 1 18 Word analysis

• Whoever rebels (אִישׁ מָרֶה - 'ish mareh): 'Ish' means "man" or "anyone." 'Mareh' (from root מָרָה - marah) signifies "to be rebellious, defiant, disobedient, contumacious." This term indicates active, intentional opposition or insubordination against an established, divinely-backed authority, harking back to instances of rebellion during the wilderness wandering, such as Korah’s.

• against your command (אֶת־פִּיךָ - 'et pîka): 'Pîka' comes from 'peh' (פֶּה), meaning "mouth" or "word." In this context, it refers to the authoritative directives or utterances emanating from Joshua's mouth. This implies that Joshua's words carry the weight of divine authority, establishing a strong leadership mandate from God to him, then from him to the people.

• and does not obey (וְלֹא יִשְׁמַע - v'lo yish'ma): 'Yish'ma' (from root שָׁמַע - shama) means "to hear," but primarily in the sense of "to listen attentively," and thus, "to obey." The negative ('lo') emphatically underscores the expected consequence of failing to comply fully and actively with Joshua's instructions.

• your words (דְּבָרֶיךָ - d'varekha): 'D'varekha' (from דָּבָר - davar) refers to "words," "matters," "commands," or "affairs." It is a comprehensive term, encompassing the entirety of Joshua's instructions, ensuring that no aspect of his leadership or directives would be disregarded.

• whatever you command him (אֶל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר תְּצַוֶּנּוּ - el-kol-asher t'tzavennu): This clause emphasizes the unqualified and comprehensive nature of their pledged obedience. 'Tzavennu' (from צָוָה - tzavah) means "to command" or "charge." This highlights that their submission is not selective but applies to any and every command Joshua might issue, demonstrating total deference to his military and civil authority.

• shall be put to death (יוּמָת - yumath): 'Yumath' (from מוּת - muth) is a passive form, meaning "he shall be caused to die" or "he shall be executed." This states the capital penalty for rebellion, underscoring the extreme seriousness of insubordination during this crucial military and spiritual venture. It serves as a deterrent and reflects the solemnity of God's covenant with Israel and the absolute necessity of unified action.

• Only be strong (רַק חֲזַק - rak chazaq): 'Rak' (רק) functions as an intensifier, meaning "only," "surely," or "nevertheless." 'Chazaq' (חָזַק - chazaq) means "to be strong," "firm," "courageous," "bold," "resolute." It’s a key term signifying physical, mental, and spiritual strength necessary for a challenging mission.

• and courageous! (וֶאֱמָץ - v'emats): 'V'emats' (from אָמַץ - amats) is typically paired with 'chazaq' and means "to be strong," "bold," "resolute," or "determined." It signifies a deeper fortitude and unwavering resolve, particularly in facing fear or opposition. The people's echoing of God's charge to Joshua not only encourages him but also demonstrates their understanding of his essential role and their faith in God's presence with him.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Whoever rebels against your command and does not obey your words, whatever you command him": This extensive phrase encapsulates the severity of the expected obedience. It targets not only overt defiance ("rebels") but also any failure to comply with Joshua's specific directives ("does not obey your words") or any future instructions ("whatever you command him"). This creates an air of complete and absolute military and spiritual submission.
  • "shall be put to death": The immediate and ultimate consequence for any transgression against Joshua's authority. This radical measure indicates the urgency and high stakes of the conquest of Canaan. It serves both as a stark warning against individual dissent and a pledge by the community to enforce unity necessary for divine blessing and victory. It is rooted in the understanding that rebellion against God's appointed leader is tantamount to rebellion against God Himself, deserving of divine judgment and covenantal consequences.
  • "Only be strong and courageous!": This final exclamation by the people echoes God's threefold command to Joshua (Josh 1:6, 7, 9). It demonstrates that the people have fully internalized the divine mandate for Joshua's leadership. It's not merely a wish but a statement of their conviction that Joshua's unwavering resolve is paramount, indicating their trust in him and, implicitly, their reliance on God's sustaining presence through Joshua.

Joshua 1 18 Bonus section

• The Power of Collective Will: This verse highlights the spiritual and practical power of a unified people operating under divine authority. Their commitment transforms Joshua's heavy burden into a shared responsibility, bolstering his resolve.
• Lessons from the Past: This pledge serves as a stark contrast to previous instances of rebellion against Moses' leadership (e.g., Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Num 16). The people have seemingly learned the harsh lessons of insubordination in the wilderness, understanding its deadly consequences.
• Theological Foundation of Authority: The people's willingness to enforce capital punishment for rebellion against Joshua indicates their recognition that defying Joshua was tantamount to defying God Himself, as Joshua was God's chosen and Spirit-filled leader for the time. This grounds human leadership firmly in divine appointment.
• Foreshadowing Success: This strong, unequivocal pledge of loyalty and mutual encouragement laid a crucial foundation for Israel's successful entry into and initial conquests within the Promised Land. Without such unity, the complex and dangerous military campaigns would have been far more difficult, if not impossible.

Joshua 1 18 Commentary

Joshua 1:18 forms the pinnacle of the people's oath of allegiance, marking a profound shift from the often rebellious generation in the wilderness. This verse unequivocally affirms Joshua's authority as divinely mandated. The people pledge not just obedience, but absolute compliance to his "command" and "words"—encompassing every directive. The severe penalty of death for any rebellion underscores the extreme gravity with which this new generation understood their covenant obligations and the unified resolve required for the formidable task of conquering Canaan. This commitment highlights their maturity and a critical lesson learned from past failures. By echoing God's own instruction to Joshua, "Only be strong and courageous," the people not only encourage their new leader but also solidify their full alignment with God's will and their profound trust in Joshua's divinely backed leadership for the challenging mission ahead. It exemplifies unified submission for a common, God-ordained purpose.