Joshua 23 10

Joshua 23:10 kjv

One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

Joshua 23:10 nkjv

One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

Joshua 23:10 niv

One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised.

Joshua 23:10 esv

One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.

Joshua 23:10 nlt

Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the LORD your God fights for you, just as he has promised.

Joshua 23 verses

Joshua 23 10 Meaning

Joshua 23:10 conveys the powerful truth that the victory of the Israelites in battle does not depend on their numbers or strength, but entirely on the Lord God who fights for them. It promises that the strength of God enables even one Israelite to defeat a thousand enemies, highlighting the supernatural disproportion between human capability and divine empowerment. This verse serves as a reminder of God's past faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and assures His continued active presence in defending His people, as long as they remain faithful to Him.

Joshua 23 10 Context

Joshua 23 forms part of Joshua's farewell address to the leaders and all Israel as he approaches his death. He reminds them of God's faithfulness in fulfilling all His promises concerning the land and their victory over their enemies. The immediate verses (23:3-9) recount God's powerful acts in dispossessing the nations before Israel and Joshua's direct role in the conquest. Verse 10 stands as a summary principle and a direct application of this historical context: the amazing victories achieved were not due to Israel's military might but entirely to the Lord's active intervention. Historically, this address occurs at the end of the initial conquest phase, with some enemies still remaining. It's a poignant call for Israel to remain exclusively devoted to Yahweh to ensure continued blessing and protection against the lingering pagan influences of the surrounding nations.

Joshua 23 10 Word analysis

• One man: Hebrew: 'ish echad (אִישׁ אֶחָד). Emphasizes the singular, humble, human agent. This highlights the drastic numerical disproportion. It contrasts human weakness with divine power. The victory is not reliant on a multitude or an army, but on God empowering a single individual.
• of you: Indicates that this principle applies to any faithful Israelite. The potential for supernatural empowerment is available to the entire community, not just a select few leaders or warriors.
• shall chase a thousand: Hebrew: redaf eleph (רָדַף אֶלֶף).
  • Redaf: "chase," "pursue," "put to flight." Implies total rout and decisive victory.
  • Eleph: "thousand," or possibly a military unit/clan. In this context, it undeniably signifies a massive number, far beyond what one person could naturally overcome. This phrase denotes overwhelming, disproportionate power given by God, transcending natural military logistics. It implies utter dominance, where the enemy flees in terror.
• for the Lord your God: Hebrew: ki YHWH 'Eloheykhem (כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם). This is the absolute core of the verse.
  • Ki: "for," "because." Establishes the divine causation for the preceding statement.
  • YHWH: The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, relational, and unchanging character. It emphasizes His power and His unique identity as Israel's God.
  • 'Eloheykhem: "your God." Highlights the covenant relationship and exclusive devotion required. He is their personal deity, who acts on their behalf. This phrase firmly grounds the victory in God's identity and His special relationship with Israel.
• he it is that fighteth for you: Hebrew: hu' ha'nilkham lakhem (הוּא הַנִּלְחָם לָכֶם). This active participle construction underscores God's direct, personal, and continuous involvement in the battles. It means God Himself, uniquely and powerfully, is the warrior. It shifts the agency entirely from human strength to divine intervention. This phrase reassures and challenges Israel; they are to rely solely on Him, not their own might. It's a polemic against reliance on military strength or pagan deities.
• as he hath promised you: Hebrew: ka'asher dibber lakhem (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר לָכֶם). This affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant word. His past promises (e.g., Deut 1:30; 3:22; 20:4) have been and continue to be reliable. It roots their present and future victories in God's unchangeable character and His unswerving commitment to His people, conditioned upon their obedience.

Joshua 23 10 Bonus section

The principle of God fighting for His people transcends physical warfare and applies to the spiritual battles faced by believers. In the New Testament, believers are called to put on the whole armor of God, acknowledging that their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces (Eph 6:10-12). Just as one Israelite could put a thousand to flight by God's power, so too can an individual believer, empowered by Christ, overcome overwhelming spiritual opposition. This promise is intrinsically linked to obedience and covenant faithfulness. When Israel strayed from God, His promise to fight for them was withdrawn, leading to defeat. Similarly, believers must abide in Christ for His power to be effective through them. This verse also implicitly refutes the idea that "might makes right"; instead, God's justice and His presence are what establish victory.

Joshua 23 10 Commentary

Joshua 23:10 encapsulates a fundamental biblical truth: God is the true source of all victory and strength for His people. It highlights divine empowerment over human numbers or might, demonstrating that one person's obedience and reliance on God is more potent than vast enemy armies. The astonishing ability of "one man to chase a thousand" is a hyperbolic promise illustrating the supernatural disproportion God can effect when He fights on behalf of His covenant people. This is not about human capability, but about God's direct intervention and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The verse serves as a crucial reminder that past successes were entirely His doing and future prosperity depends on continued dependence on Him, not human strength or alliances. It teaches that the strength to overcome lies in who God is and His commitment to His word.