Joshua 23 14

Joshua 23:14 kjv

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Joshua 23:14 nkjv

"Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.

Joshua 23:14 niv

"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Joshua 23:14 esv

"And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

Joshua 23:14 nlt

"Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the LORD your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!

Joshua 23 verses

Joshua 23 14 Meaning

Joshua, in his final address to the leaders of Israel before his death, powerfully declares that he is facing his inevitable mortality, emphasizing that he, along with all of them, can bear witness to the unwavering faithfulness of God. He affirms with absolute certainty that every single promise God made for their good has been completely and demonstrably fulfilled, with no promise failing to materialize. This serves as a strong testament to God's integrity and reliability throughout the history of their nation up to that point.

Joshua 23 14 Context

Joshua 23 stands as Joshua’s first farewell address, delivered to the leaders, judges, and officers of Israel. This speech precedes his second, more extensive address to "all Israel" in chapter 24. Coming towards the end of his life and the period of Israel's conquest and settlement of Canaan, this chapter marks a pivotal moment of reflection and exhortation. The immediate context sees Israel largely in possession of the promised land, with initial battles concluded, and the land allotted among the tribes. Joshua reminds them of God's mighty acts on their behalf—leading them out of Egypt, bringing them through the wilderness, and enabling them to conquer nations greater and mightier than themselves.

Historically and culturally, Israel was transitioning from a nomadic, wilderness generation to a settled agricultural society amidst Canaanite polytheistic cultures. Joshua's speech served as a vital re-affirmation of the Mosaic covenant, urging absolute devotion to Yahweh and strict avoidance of idolatry and assimilation with the surrounding peoples. His declaration in verse 14 acts as a powerful witness from someone who lived through and led the fulfillment of God’s grand promises, thus lending immense weight to his subsequent warnings against turning away from God. This verse provides the firm theological foundation upon which all his exhortations, warnings, and calls to obedience are built: God is absolutely trustworthy because He has demonstrably fulfilled every word He spoke.

Joshua 23 14 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection used to draw immediate and serious attention to what is about to be said. It serves to underscore the profound and urgent nature of Joshua's declaration, signaling a crucial moment of personal testimony and public instruction.
• this day (הַיּוֹם - hayyôm): Emphasizes the present, impending reality of his departure, imbuing his words with finality and gravity. It connects the abstract truth to the tangible, personal experience of the speaker.
• I am going the way of all the earth (אָנֹכִי הֹלֵךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ כָּל־הָאָרֶץ - 'ānōḵî hōlēḵ bəḏereḵ kāl-hā'āreṣ): A widely recognized ancient Near Eastern idiom and euphemism for death. It highlights the universality of mortality—that no one, not even a revered leader like Joshua, is exempt. This statement serves as a stark contrast to God's eternal and unchanging nature.
• and you know (וְיְדַעְתֶּם - wəyəḏaʿtem): Refers to an experiential, internal, and certain knowledge, not merely intellectual understanding. It signifies conviction based on their shared history and personal observation of God's deeds.
• in all your hearts and in all your souls (בְּכָל־לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶם - bəḵāl-ləḇaḇkem ûḇəḵāl-napšəḵem):
  • hearts (לְבַבְכֶם - ləḇaḇkem): In Hebrew thought, the heart is not just the seat of emotion, but primarily the center of thought, will, intention, and understanding.
  • souls (נַפְשְׁכֶם - napšəḵem): Refers to the whole being, including one's desires, inner life, and even life-force. The phrase emphasizes a profound, complete, and undeniable conviction, engaging their intellect, will, and deepest being, similar to the command to love God (Deut 6:5).
• not one word (לֹא־נָפַל דָּבָר אֶחָד - lō'-nāp̄al dāḇār 'eḥāḏ): "Not one word" emphatically highlights the meticulous precision of God's fulfillment. The Hebrew literally means "not one word fell," where "fell" (naphal) implies falling short, failing, or being unfulfilled. This phrase negates any possibility of inadequacy or brokenness in God's promises.
• of all the good words (מִכָּל־דָּבָר טוֹב - mikkol-dāḇār ṭōḇ): "Good words" refers to the promises that were beneficial, advantageous, and benevolent, focusing on the positive, covenantal blessings God guaranteed to His people.
• that the Lord your God promised concerning you (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם עֲלֵיכֶם - 'ăšer dibber YHWH 'Ĕlōhêkem 'ălêkem):
  • The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His relational and unchanging nature.
  • your God (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - 'Ĕlōhêkem): Reinforces the personal covenantal relationship established with Israel. The promises were specifically made to them.
• has failed (נָפַל - naphal): Repeats the verb "fell" or "failed" to powerfully underscore that nothing has fallen short, missed the mark, or been unfulfilled.
• all have come to pass for you (כֹּל בָּאוּ לָכֶם - kōl bā'û lāḵem): Lit. "all have come to you." This signifies that the promises were not abstract but concrete, fully materialized, and experienced by Israel, providing irrefutable evidence of God's reliability.
• not one of them has failed (לֹא נָפַל מִמֶּנּוּ דָּבָר אֶחָד - lō' nāp̄al mimmēnnu dāḇār 'eḥāḏ): A climactic reiteration, stressing absolute and comprehensive fulfillment without any exception. This rhetorical device emphasizes the totality and precision of God's faithfulness.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth": This opening sets a somber and serious tone. Joshua's imminent death lends weight and urgency to his subsequent testament. It contrasts human mortality with divine immutability, providing the context for why his words about God's faithfulness are so crucial. His testimony comes from the perspective of someone facing his final journey, making it a powerful legacy.
• "and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls": This phrase appeals to a deep, experiential, and holistic understanding. It’s not about intellectual assent alone but about the collective, internalized knowledge derived from living through God’s providential acts. This conviction serves as the basis for Israel’s future obedience, indicating that their fidelity should stem from an undeniable truth.
• "that not one word of all the good words that the Lord your God promised concerning you has failed; all have come to pass for you, not one of them has failed.": This is the core affirmation. The meticulous fulfillment of "not one word" (repeated for emphasis) directly testifies to the character of Yahweh, their covenant God. It underscores His veracity and power. This section forms a direct polemic against the unreliable and fickle nature attributed to pagan deities, whose promises were often tied to human sacrifices or contingent on unpredictable whims. Yahweh, in contrast, fulfills His word perfectly, based on His steadfast character and covenantal oath. This serves as a reminder of their unique relationship with a reliable God, urging them away from the gods of the Canaanites.

Joshua 23 14 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial theological bridge between God's promise (particularly the Abrahamic covenant regarding land) and its concrete realization. It highlights that the physical occupation of the land was undeniable proof of God's active involvement in their history, directly counteracting any inclination towards skepticism or the worship of other gods who offered no such verifiable fulfillment. Joshua's words provide a bulwark against the spiritual dangers that lay ahead in the period of the Judges, where Israel frequently turned away from Yahweh despite this undeniable evidence. Furthermore, the meticulous fulfillment of all "good words" foreshadows the complete and ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, where all promises of God find their "Yes" (2 Cor 1:20). Joshua’s dying words become a timeless reminder that God’s track record is perfect, His character is unchanging, and His promises are secure, offering comfort and assurance to every generation that walks "the way of all the earth."

Joshua 23 14 Commentary

Joshua 23:14 is a profound theological anchor within the Hebrew Scriptures, a deathbed testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God. Joshua, a faithful servant of God, stands on the precipice of his own mortality and gazes back upon the journey of Israel, confidently declaring that every promise God made has been fulfilled with precise, absolute accuracy. This declaration serves as a historical summary of God’s covenantal fidelity demonstrated throughout the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. It affirms that God’s character is inextricably linked to His word – what He promises, He performs. This verse establishes the fundamental truth that God is utterly trustworthy and reliable, His plans are unwavering, and His words do not return to Him void. It implicitly challenges any doubt or future unfaithfulness of Israel by pointing to their lived experience as undeniable proof of God's integrity. Practically, it encourages believers today to remember God's past faithfulness in their lives and in biblical history, trusting that if He has fulfilled His word before, He will continue to do so, providing a sure foundation for faith in uncertain times.