Joshua 23:2 kjv
And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
Joshua 23:2 nkjv
And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: "I am old, advanced in age.
Joshua 23:2 niv
summoned all Israel?their elders, leaders, judges and officials?and said to them: "I am very old.
Joshua 23:2 esv
Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, "I am now old and well advanced in years.
Joshua 23:2 nlt
called together all the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel. He said to them, "I am now a very old man.
Joshua 23 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 31:2 | Moses said to them, “I am now 120 years old and I can no longer lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross… | Moses' age; inability to lead; handing over to Joshua |
| Gen 25:8 | Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. | "Good old age," "full of years" (similar to "stricken in age") for Abraham. |
| 1 Sam 12:2-3 | Now here is the king walking before you. As for me, I am old and gray… testify against me before the LORD… | Samuel's farewell address, highlighting his old age. |
| 1 Kgs 2:1-2 | When the time drew near for David to die, he gave this charge to Solomon his son: “I am about to go the way of all… | David's charge to Solomon before death. |
| Acts 20:17 | From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. | Paul's farewell address to Ephesian elders, a final exhortation to leaders. |
| Acts 20:25-27 | “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again… | Paul's acknowledgment of impending departure in his farewell. |
| Gen 48:1-2 | Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons… Jacob said, “I am old… | Jacob's summons before his death, preparing for legacy. |
| Deut 29:2, 10 | Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in Egypt… All of you are… | Moses assembling all Israel for covenant renewal. |
| Josh 24:1 | Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel to Shechem. He summoned the elders, heads, judges and officers… | Reiteration of the assembly, different location but same leadership. |
| Deut 5:29 | Oh, that their hearts would always be willing to fear me and keep all my commands so that it might go well… | Core desire for Israel's faithfulness, theme of Josh 23-24. |
| Josh 22:2-5 | "You have kept all the commands of Moses the servant of the LORD… But be careful to keep the commandment… | Earlier exhortation emphasizing adherence to the law. |
| Num 27:18-20 | So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit… lay your hand on him. Have him stand… | Joshua's commissioning as Moses' successor. |
| Heb 13:7 | Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. | Recalling leaders' words and examples, pertinent to Joshua's final address. |
| Isa 46:10 | I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand… | God's unchanging nature contrasts human mortality, setting up need for God-reliance. |
| Prov 16:31 | Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. | Respect and honor associated with old age. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I… | Passing on the divine commission to new generations of leaders and followers. |
| John 14:15 | “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Foundation for covenant obedience emphasized by Joshua. |
| 1 Chr 28:1-8 | David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel: the officials of the tribes… with all the mighty warriors. | David assembling leaders for important instructions. |
| Judg 2:6-7 | After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land… Israel served the LORD throughout… | Immediate post-Joshua obedience; contrast with later decline due to forgetting. |
| Exod 18:21-22 | But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint… | Appointment of judges and officers by Moses. |
Joshua 23 verses
Joshua 23 2 Meaning
Joshua 23:2 states that Joshua, recognizing his advanced age and the approach of his death, convened a solemn assembly of all Israel's leadership. This included their elders, heads, judges, and officers. This formal gathering was summoned to receive Joshua's final and urgent exhortation concerning their continued faithfulness to the covenant with the LORD, setting the stage for his comprehensive farewell address.
Joshua 23 2 Context
Joshua chapter 23 initiates Joshua's two final farewell addresses to the nation of Israel before his death, culminating in chapter 24 with a covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem. This particular verse (23:2) sets the stage by describing the solemn assembly Joshua called. Having successfully led Israel in conquering and dividing the land of Canaan, Joshua is now aged and prepares to pass on his leadership. This address parallels Moses' farewell speeches in Deuteronomy, highlighting the importance of fidelity to the LORD's covenant as the generation that entered Canaan under Joshua's leadership grows old. The historical context reflects Israel's transition from nomadic wanderings and initial conquest to settling into the land. The address's purpose is to prepare the people for continued life in the land under God's ongoing covenant, ensuring their loyalty despite the challenges of inhabiting a land previously dominated by pagan cultures.
Joshua 23 2 Word analysis
And Joshua: The figurehead, leader who fulfilled Moses' initial command to bring Israel into the land. His individual name, "Yehoshua," meaning "The LORD is salvation," is fitting given his role in delivering Israel and leading them to their inheritance. This marks his final significant public act.
called for: (Hebrew: qārā') Implies a formal, intentional summoning, not a casual meeting. This was a crucial, deliberate convocation for a matter of grave importance, underscoring the authority of the summons.
all Israel: (Hebrew: kol-Yiśrā’ēl) Emphasizes the corporate identity and responsibility of the nation as a whole. This was not a partial or tribal meeting, but an address to the entirety of God's chosen people, underscoring unity and collective obligation.
for their elders: (Hebrew: zᵊqēnāw) These were experienced, respected leaders, often heads of families or clans, representing accumulated wisdom and tradition. They held significant social and spiritual influence.
and for their heads: (Hebrew: rō’šāw) Chiefs or princes, potentially representing the tribal heads or clan leaders, signifying administrative and representative leadership, often holding inherited authority.
and for their judges: (Hebrew: šōpṭāw) Those responsible for administering justice and resolving disputes according to God's law. They had authority in legal matters, crucial for maintaining social order based on the covenant.
and for their officers: (Hebrew: šōṭᵊrāw) These were executive officers, scribes, or perhaps enforcers of directives. They assisted the judges and other leaders in carrying out their duties, representing the practical administration of governance.
and said to them: Marks the transition from the act of summoning to the delivery of the message itself. This indicates the start of Joshua's authoritative instruction.
I am old: (Hebrew: zāqań) Simple statement of fact, conveying Joshua's advanced age, physically indicating his limited remaining time. It adds gravity and urgency to his words.
and stricken in age: (Hebrew: bāʾ ba-yāmiym) A dignified, poetic phrase meaning "come into days" or "full of days," implying a long, well-lived life but also signifying the imminent end. It suggests Joshua has fulfilled his allotted time and now must prepare for his departure. This is a common biblical expression for respected figures nearing the end of their lives (e.g., Abraham in Gen 25:8).
"all Israel, for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers": This comprehensive list is crucial. It shows that Joshua addressed every layer and aspect of Israel's civil, judicial, and religious leadership structure. This was a direct appeal to the established authorities responsible for the spiritual and moral welfare of the nation, ensuring his message would filter down and impact every individual. The inclusion of these four specific groups covers the entire leadership apparatus of the nation, confirming the gravity and scope of Joshua's address.
"I am old and stricken in age": This declaration underscores Joshua's mortality and serves as a vital reminder that human leaders are temporary, whereas God's covenant is eternal. It gives weight and urgency to his final words, urging immediate attention and commitment before his permanent departure. It is a pastoral plea, leveraging his status as an elder statesperson, much like Moses before him, to impart a final, critical message.
Joshua 23 2 Bonus section
The pattern of a great leader's farewell address, seen here with Joshua, is a significant literary and theological device in biblical narratives. These addresses (e.g., Jacob in Gen 49, Moses in Deut 29-31, Samuel in 1 Sam 12, David in 1 Chr 28-29, Paul in Acts 20) often encapsulate the leader's life work, provide historical retrospect, re-emphasize foundational theological truths (like covenant fidelity), offer warnings against future apostasy, and conclude with blessings or final instructions for succession. The detail given to listing the leaders signifies the developed state of Israel's governance, moved from a nascent wandering community to one with established legal and administrative systems within the Promised Land. This meticulous listing confirms that the divine instructions were given not just to the common people, but systematically conveyed through the authorized channels of leadership, highlighting the importance of proper governance in maintaining a holy nation.
Joshua 23 2 Commentary
Joshua 23:2 sets a pivotal scene, ushering in the powerful valedictory speeches of Israel's great leader. The comprehensive nature of the summons, calling not just "all Israel" but specifically enumerating the four distinct strata of their leadership – elders, heads, judges, and officers – underscores the gravity and formality of this moment. This careful categorization indicates Joshua's desire to reach every part of the societal structure responsible for governance and the people's adherence to God's law. His humble declaration, "I am old and stricken in age," establishes a relatable context for his final exhortation. It is a somber acknowledgment of his mortality and impending departure, which lends immense weight and urgency to the words he is about to deliver. By mirroring Moses' farewell addresses, Joshua positions himself as a faithful successor passing on the divine mandate for covenant loyalty. The message is clear: while human leaders come and go, God's commands endure, and Israel's prosperity in the land depends entirely on their unwavering faithfulness. This moment highlights the principle of leadership accountability and the essential need for subsequent generations to carry forward the spiritual torch.