Joshua 23 5

Joshua 23:5 kjv

And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

Joshua 23:5 nkjv

And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

Joshua 23:5 niv

The LORD your God himself will push them out for your sake. He will drive them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

Joshua 23:5 esv

The LORD your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the LORD your God promised you.

Joshua 23:5 nlt

This land will be yours, for the LORD your God will himself drive out all the people living there now. You will take possession of their land, just as the LORD your God promised you.

Joshua 23 verses

Joshua 23 5 Meaning

Joshua 23:5 assures Israel that the LORD their God will continue His powerful action of expelling the remaining inhabitants from the land before them. This divine intervention guarantees Israel's ability to fully possess the territory promised to them, fulfilling God's unwavering covenant pledges. It underscores that the ultimate success of the conquest rests on God's might and faithfulness, not Israel's own strength.

Joshua 23 5 Context

Joshua 23 forms a crucial part of Joshua's farewell address to the leaders and representatives of all Israel, delivered when he was "old and advanced in years." Having largely conquered the land and distributed it among the tribes, Joshua felt it vital to reiterate God's past faithfulness and establish a clear path for Israel's future. The chapter serves as a theological and moral cornerstone, reminding them that their blessings—specifically the possession of the land—are entirely dependent on their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Despite significant victories, not all of the promised land had been fully subdued or fully occupied, and pockets of Canaanite inhabitants remained (e.g., Jebusites in Jerusalem, various enclaves mentioned in Josh 13, 15-17). This verse directly addresses that unfinished task, assuring them of God's continued power and willingness to complete it, while the verses immediately following (Josh 23:6-16) pivot to Israel's responsibility in maintaining faithfulness to the covenant, warning of dire consequences if they turn to idolatry or intermarry with the remaining nations. It emphasizes divine certainty conditioned on human obedience.

Joshua 23 5 Word analysis

• And the LORD: (וַיהוָה, waYHWH)
  • וַ: "And," functions as a conjunction, connecting this verse to Joshua's previous statements about God's faithfulness.
  • יהוה: "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational commitment to Israel as their God who keeps His promises. This name denotes His active, self-existent nature.
• your God: (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, Eloheykem)
  • אלהים: "God," a common term for God, often referring to His power and might.
  • כם: "your" (plural suffix), highlighting the national and communal relationship Israel has with God. It’s a covenantal "your God," distinguishing Him from other deities.
• He: (הוּא, hu)
  • An emphatic pronoun, strengthening the direct statement that the LORD, and no other, is the active agent in dispossessing the nations. It emphasizes divine initiative and power.
• shall thrust them out: (יַהְדֹּף אוֹתָם, yahdoph otam)
  • יהדף: "shall thrust out," "push out," "drive forcibly." This verb signifies forceful removal, aggressive action by God. It implies irresistible divine power to overcome any resistance. It’s not a gentle leading, but a decisive expulsion.
  • אותם: "them" (direct object pronoun), referring to the remaining Canaanite inhabitants.
• from before you: (מִפָּנֵיכֶם, mippaneykhem)
  • Literally "from your face." Signifies complete removal from their presence and territory, clearing the way for Israel's full occupation without hindrance. It ensures they will not remain as a source of temptation or threat.
• and drive them: (וְהוֹרִישׁ אֶתְכֶם, vehorish etchem)
  • והוריש: "and drive them out," "and dispossess." This verb emphasizes removing their right to inherit or occupy the land, rendering them landless. It complements "thrust out" by focusing on the legal/possessory aspect of removal.
  • אתכם: "them" (direct object marker, usually omitted for clarity in English).
• from before you: (מִפָּנֵיכֶם, mippaneykhem)
  • Repetition for emphasis, underscoring the thoroughness and certainty of their complete expulsion from the path of Israel.
• and ye shall possess: (וִירִשְׁתֶּם אֶת, virishtem et)
  • וירשתם: "and ye shall possess," "and you shall inherit." This verb indicates Israel's subsequent action of taking ownership and dwelling in the land, as the result of God's prior action. It links directly to the promise of inheritance. It emphasizes Israel receiving and benefiting from God's work.
  • את: "the" (direct object marker).
• their land: (אַרְצָם, artzam)
  • ארץ: "land."
  • ם: "their" (suffix). Explicitly states that the land being possessed belonged to the nations being dispossessed, highlighting the transfer of ownership orchestrated by God.
• as: (כַּאֲשֶׁר, ka'asher)
  • "Just as," "according as." A connective phrase establishing that the upcoming action is in fulfillment of a prior declaration.
• the LORD your God: (יהוה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, YHWH Eloheykem)
  • Repetition of the full divine title, reaffirming the source and authority of the promise.
• hath promised unto you: (דִּבֶּר לָכֶם, dibber lakhem)
  • דבר: "spoke," "promised." The verb implies a definitive, solemn declaration. The perfect tense (hath promised) denotes a completed action in the past, assuring that the promise is already made and secure, serving as the basis for the future fulfillment.
  • לכם: "unto you" (plural), directed specifically to Israel.

Words-group analysis:

• "The LORD your God He shall thrust them out... and drive them... from before you": This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His sole, active power in the process of dispossession. It makes clear that the success of the conquest is a divine work, not reliant on Israel's military might alone. The repetition of "from before you" underscores the absolute removal of all impediments.
• "and ye shall possess their land": This marks the certain outcome and Israel's benefit, directly consequent upon God's decisive action. Israel's possession is not earned, but received as an inheritance enabled by divine intervention.
• "as the LORD your God hath promised unto you": This forms the foundation of the entire verse. God's faithfulness to His covenant word is the ultimate guarantee of the promises. It frames the dispossession and inheritance not as random events but as the purposeful unfolding of a divine plan.

Joshua 23 5 Bonus section

The reality described in Joshua 23:5 often exhibits an "already and not yet" dynamic. While Israel had experienced significant victories (the "already"), they had not yet fully dispossessed all the inhabitants (the "not yet"). This verse functions as an assurance that God’s future action is as certain as His past action. The continued dispossessing and full inheritance are guaranteed not by Israel’s strength, but by God’s ongoing fidelity to His word.

The historical context of the Canaanite nations is crucial here. The expulsion and eventual destruction of these groups, as depicted throughout Joshua, is framed Biblically as an act of divine judgment against severe wickedness (Lev 18:24-30; Deut 9:4-5), involving idolatry, child sacrifice, and widespread moral corruption. Thus, God's promise to Israel simultaneously served as His righteous judgment on the land's previous occupants.

In a New Testament light, this concept of divine enablement for "dispossession" and "possession" finds spiritual parallels. Believers are called to spiritually "dispossess" sinful strongholds in their lives and the world, relying on God's power (2 Cor 10:4-5), and in doing so, "possess" or inherit spiritual blessings and ultimately the kingdom of God (Eph 1:11; Col 1:12-13; Heb 4:1-11). Just as God guaranteed the physical land to Israel, He guarantees spiritual victory and eternal inheritance to those in Christ who walk in faith and obedience.

Joshua 23 5 Commentary

Joshua 23:5 encapsulates a foundational theological truth: God is the active agent in His people's lives and promises. Joshua's declaration serves as a powerful reminder to a generation witnessing both fulfillment and remaining challenges. The initial phase of conquest demonstrated God's might, yet residual pockets of enemy inhabitants lingered. This verse provides reassurance that the remaining task of full dispossession and complete inheritance is not too great for the LORD. The strong verbs "thrust out" (yahdoph) and "drive out" (horish) convey violent, decisive, and complete expulsion. "Thrust out" speaks to a forceful push, while "drive out" refers to disinheriting. Both indicate a thorough removal, enabling Israel to fully "possess" the land without contention. The crucial phrase, "as the LORD your God hath promised unto you," anchors the entire statement in divine covenant faithfulness. This wasn't merely a hopeful wish but a guaranteed outcome based on God's unwavering character and His sworn word to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, this divine commitment, as later verses and the book of Judges make clear, was inextricably linked to Israel's obedient loyalty. While God would fulfill His part, Israel's departure from the covenant would impede the full realization of the blessing and even result in judgment. Thus, this verse functions both as an assurance of God's power and a silent challenge to Israel to remain faithful to receive the full fruit of His work.