Joshua 11 15

Joshua 11:15 kjv

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

Joshua 11:15 nkjv

As the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

Joshua 11:15 niv

As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

Joshua 11:15 esv

Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

Joshua 11:15 nlt

As the LORD had commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. And Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the LORD had given to Moses.

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 15 Meaning

Joshua 11:15 serves as a theological summation of the northern conquest campaign, and by extension, Joshua’s entire leadership in conquering the promised land. It declares that the entire endeavor, from its divine origin to its human execution, was marked by perfect and complete obedience to God’s specific instructions given through Moses. This verse establishes a direct chain of authority and fidelity: God commanded Moses, Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua perfectly executed every command. It underscores divine sovereignty, the clarity of divine will, and the necessity of human obedience in fulfilling God's purposes, setting a standard of meticulous adherence to God's word for Israel.

Joshua 11 15 Context

Joshua 11:15 is positioned as a summary statement at the culmination of the northern campaign of conquest, specifically after the defeat of the powerful northern alliance led by Jabin, king of Hazor (Josh 11:1-14). This victory solidified Israel’s control over the northern regions of Canaan, effectively ending the major military phases of the conquest. The verse acts as a final declaration for the entire conquest account presented so far, stating unequivocally that all actions undertaken by Joshua were in complete obedience to God's previous instructions to Moses. It bridges the authority from Moses to Joshua, emphasizing the continuous divine mandate. Historically, this highlights that the conquest was not a mere military invasion but a divinely ordained mission, executed according to precise, revealed commands given at Sinai and reiterated through Moses before his death, setting a standard for Israel’s future interaction with God’s covenant. It directly contrasts with the potential for human will or discretion to override divine instruction, firmly grounding Israel's success in their fidelity to YHWH's explicit commands.

Joshua 11 15 Word analysis

• As: The Hebrew word ka’ăšer (כַּאֲשֶׁר), meaning "just as," "according as," or "inasmuch as," strongly emphasizes precise correspondence and conformity. It denotes an exact alignment, signifying that the action followed the blueprint without deviation. This is not a general adherence but a meticulous replication of instructions.
• the Lord: Refers to YHWH (יהוה), the covenant God of Israel. The use of this specific divine name highlights His unique relationship with Israel, His supreme authority, and His role as the source of all commands, underscoring that the entire enterprise was initiated and directed by Him alone, not human strategy.
• commanded: The Hebrew verb tsavah (צָוָה) signifies a strong, authoritative directive or mandate. It implies a clear, binding instruction from a superior, allowing no room for negotiation or modification. Its repeated use stresses the absolute nature of the orders given.
• Moses his servant: "Moses" (מֹשֶׁה) is the great lawgiver and mediator of the Old Covenant. "His servant" ('eḇed - עֶבֶד) is a profound title in biblical literature, indicating a chosen individual devoted wholly to God's will and purpose (e.g., Exod 14:31, Deut 34:5, Josh 1:1). This highlights Moses' unique relationship with God and the divine authority vested in his commands. The chain of command begins with God to His specially designated representative.
• so Moses commanded Joshua: Establishes the direct transmission of divine authority. Moses, as God’s appointed mediator, passed on these same non-negotiable commands to Joshua. This reinforces Joshua's legitimate leadership as a recipient and executor of divine will, ensuring continuity from one generation to the next in the covenant community.
• and so Joshua did: The Hebrew verb ‘āśāh (עָשָׂה) means "he did," "he made," "he acted," or "he performed." The repeated "so" (kēn - כֵּן) continues to emphasize exact conformity. Joshua's actions were not merely a partial or approximate fulfillment, but an active, precise execution of the given orders. This showcases his exemplary obedience and leadership.
• he left nothing undone: The Hebrew phrase lo' hĕḥsîr dāḇār (לֹא הֶחֱסִיר דָּבָר) translates literally to "he did not leave out a word" or "he did not withhold a thing." This powerful idiom signifies utter completeness and thoroughness in obedience. There was no neglect, no oversight, and no deliberate omission of any instruction. This specific phrase is crucial, affirming perfect fidelity, and it forms a significant theological statement about the success of the conquest being tied directly to this comprehensive obedience. It implies both proactive implementation and the absence of any failure to comply fully.
• of all that: mikōl (מִכֹּל) further emphasizes the comprehensive nature, indicating "from the totality of" or "out of everything."
• the Lord had commanded Moses: This repeats the ultimate source of authority, looping back to God's initial instructions to Moses. It reaffirms that the entire undertaking was orchestrated and detailed by YHWH, highlighting His meticulous involvement in the destiny of His people and their land.

Joshua 11 15 Bonus section

The concept of "leaving nothing undone" echoes similar declarations in the Pentateuch regarding the construction of the Tabernacle (Exod 39:32, 42), where Israel also faithfully followed God's precise instructions. This parallelism underscores the divine approval of the entire conquest project as much as the sacred dwelling place. Joshua's obedience ensures the fulfillment of promises made to the patriarchs and to Moses. The repeated use of "commanded" highlights the importance of precise, verbal revelation as the foundation for action in the divine economy. This verse implicitly provides a template for righteous leadership: a true leader of God's people is one who faithfully transmits and perfectly executes God’s word, demonstrating profound trust in the divine blueprint rather than relying on human ingenuity or deviation.

Joshua 11 15 Commentary

Joshua 11:15 functions as a profound theological thesis for the book of Joshua and the covenant life of Israel. It declares that the successful conquest of Canaan was fundamentally a work of divine mandate meticulously fulfilled by human obedience. The verse traces a perfect chain of authority from God (YHWH) through Moses, His unique servant and mediator of the law, directly to Joshua, the new leader. Joshua's actions are presented as an exemplary model of obedience: "he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses." This absolute fidelity is the ultimate reason for Israel's success in taking the land. This is not merely a descriptive historical statement but a normative one, teaching future generations that Israel's well-being and success in their promised inheritance are always contingent upon complete and unwavering obedience to God's commands. It offers both affirmation of God’s faithfulness in providing victory and a challenge to ongoing human faithfulness. The emphasis on "nothing undone" establishes a standard of comprehensive obedience that contrasts sharply with later instances of Israel’s partial obedience and rebellion.