Joshua 1:3 kjv

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

Joshua 1:3 nkjv

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.

Joshua 1:3 niv

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

Joshua 1:3 esv

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.

Joshua 1:3 nlt

I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you ?

Joshua 1 verses

Joshua 1 3 Meaning

Joshua 1:3 conveys God's unwavering promise to grant the Israelites every portion of the Promised Land upon which they set foot. This divine declaration guarantees the land as an assured possession, provided they actively engage in claiming it, echoing the long-standing covenant made with Moses and the patriarchs before him. It underscores God's sovereignty over the earth and His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Joshua 1 3 Context

Joshua 1:3 is set at a critical juncture in Israel's history, immediately following the death of Moses. After forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites are poised on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, ready to enter the Promised Land. This verse is part of God's direct commissioning of Joshua as Moses' successor. It reiterates the long-standing Abrahamic covenant concerning the land, first established generations prior and later affirmed with Moses. The land was not a gift of convenience but a contested territory, home to formidable Canaanite nations. Thus, the verse serves as a powerful reassurance of divine backing and authority for Joshua, confronting the daunting task of conquest. Historically, "treading upon" a land or enemy in the ancient Near East signified claiming ownership or demonstrating triumph and dominion, implying active military and spiritual engagement from Israel.

Joshua 1 3 Word analysis

• Every place (כָּל-מָקוֹם, kol-maqom):

  • Kol (כָּל) signifies "all" or "every," indicating totality and comprehensiveness.
  • Maqom (מָקוֹם) means "place" or "space."
  • Significance: No part of the land is excluded from God's promise. It covers the entire scope of the territory designated for Israel. It speaks to the expansive nature of God's intended gift.

• that the sole of your foot (כַּף-רַגְלְכֶם, kaf-raglekhem):

  • Kaf (כַּף) refers to the palm of the hand or, in this context, the "sole" of the foot.
  • Raglekhem (רַגְלְכֶם) means "your feet" (plural, referring to the people collectively).
  • Significance: The physical act of setting foot on the land symbolizes possession and authority. It implies active engagement and ownership. In ancient customs, placing one's foot or shoe on something could denote ownership or subjugation, asserting dominion. It is not enough to merely see the land; they must physically step into it.

• will tread upon (אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ, asher tidrokh):

  • Tidrokh (תִּדְרֹךְ) is a verb meaning "you will tread," "walk," or "march." It carries a connotation of firm, purposeful stepping, often associated with conquering or occupying. It is in the future tense, emphasizing a necessary action on their part.
  • Significance: It implies an active, intentional, and often military advance. The promise is not passive; it requires their effort and courage in faith to "step into" God's provision. It points to a collaborative effort between divine decree and human obedience.

• I have given (נְתַתִּיו, netattiv):

  • Natatti (נְתַתִּי) is from the verb natan (נָתַן), meaning "to give." The suffix -iv (יw) indicates "it," referring to the land. The tense is perfect, meaning "I have given."
  • Significance: God's act of giving is already a completed fact from His divine perspective. This highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The land is not earned, but graciously given. Their part is to "take" what has already been "given," implying trust in the divine Giver and courage to appropriate the gift.

• to you (לָכֶם, lakhem):

  • Lakhem (לָכֶם) means "to you" (plural), addressing Joshua and the entire nation of Israel.
  • Significance: The promise is specifically for God's covenant people, Israel, as a corporate body, an inheritance given to them for generations.

• just as I spoke (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי, ka'asher dibbarti):

  • Ka'asher (כַּאֲשֶׁר) means "just as," "as," or "according to that which."
  • Dibbarti (דִּבַּרְתִּי) means "I spoke" (perfect tense), from the verb davar (דָּבַר) "to speak."
  • Significance: This phrase provides continuity and validation. It roots the current promise in past divine declarations, specifically referencing the numerous times God spoke to Moses regarding the land. It emphasizes God's unchanging nature and the reliability of His word.

• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, el-Mosheh):

  • El (אֶל) means "to" or "towards."
  • Mosheh (מֹשֶׁה) refers to Moses, God's trusted servant and the previous leader of Israel.
  • Significance: By referencing Moses, God reinforces Joshua's legitimate leadership as the designated successor and assures the people that the divine plan for their inheritance remains consistent, despite the transition in human leadership. It anchors the new beginning in the foundation of the established covenant.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon": This phrase beautifully balances God's unconditional gift with Israel's required participation. The "every place" speaks to the vastness and completeness of the grant, while "sole of your foot will tread" denotes the active, often arduous, process of claiming and possessing it. It means no land claimed by them would be outside God's given territory.
  • "I have given to you, just as I spoke to Moses": This part underscores the divine certainty and historical continuity of the promise. "I have given" indicates the absolute certainty of the gift in God's eyes (divine sovereignty), while "just as I spoke to Moses" reinforces its basis in pre-existing covenant promises, establishing a seamless link between past promises and present action. It confirms the promise is rooted in God's character and His unchanging Word.

Joshua 1 3 Bonus section

The principle in Joshua 1:3 extends beyond physical land possession to spiritual application for believers. Just as Israel had to actively tread upon and claim the physical inheritance God had "already given," Christians are called to actively "tread upon" (take possession of) their spiritual inheritance in Christ. This involves exercising faith in the spiritual blessings and authority already bestowed upon us in the heavenly realms (Eph 1:3). This can include stepping into God's promises for spiritual victory over sin and temptation (Rom 6), divine power for ministry (Acts 1:8), and receiving God's peace (Phil 4:7). The land typologically represents God's "rest" and fullness (Heb 4), which believers are encouraged to enter through faith and obedience, not just hear about. The verse therefore is a profound reminder that divine promises are fulfilled when combined with human faith-filled action.

Joshua 1 3 Commentary

Joshua 1:3 stands as a pivotal statement encapsulating God's faithfulness and Israel's mandate. It is a declarative promise from God, affirming the guaranteed possession of the Promised Land. The phrase "I have given" highlights God's completed act from a divine perspective; the land is already Israel's by decree. This profound truth served as the foundational assurance for Joshua and the nation facing daunting odds. However, this gift was not passive; the qualifier "every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon" emphasizes that this divine inheritance requires human cooperation, courageous effort, and active physical presence—meaning, they had to go in, fight, and occupy. This command resonated with previous promises given to Abraham and Moses, reinforcing the consistency and reliability of God's Word across generations. It taught Israel that God's promises are secure, but their realization often demands active faith, obedience, and strategic action on their part.