Joshua 24 5

Joshua 24:5 kjv

I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.

Joshua 24:5 nkjv

Also I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to what I did among them. Afterward I brought you out.

Joshua 24:5 niv

"?'Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out.

Joshua 24:5 esv

And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.

Joshua 24:5 nlt

"Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 5 Meaning

Joshua 24:5 declares God's divine initiative and powerful intervention in the history of Israel's liberation from Egypt. It recounts His selection of Moses and Aaron as His agents, the demonstration of His sovereign power through the plagues upon Egypt, and the ultimate act of bringing Israel out of bondage by His mighty hand. This verse is a reaffirmation of God's active involvement in their past, underscoring His faithfulness and omnipotence.

Joshua 24 5 Context

Joshua 24 records Joshua's final address to the tribes of Israel assembled at Shechem. This speech serves as a covenant renewal ceremony, reminding the Israelites of God's unwavering faithfulness from their origins with Abraham through their present settlement in the Promised Land. Joshua challenges them to choose whom they will serve: the Lord, who has historically proven Himself mighty and faithful, or the foreign gods. Verse 5 specifically belongs to God's own recounting of His saving acts (narrated by Joshua), starting from Abraham and progressing through the patriarchs, the Egyptian bondage, the plagues, the Exodus, the wilderness journey, and the conquest of Canaan. It sets the foundational narrative for the Israelites' covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing His initiative and power in delivering them. Historically, it is set after the conquest of Canaan, where Israel now occupies the land God promised. Culturally, the recitation of national history and God's acts of salvation was a common way to instruct and impress upon a people their identity and obligations within a covenant relationship. This context highlights the stark contrast between the passive idolatry of their pagan neighbors and the active, interventionist nature of Israel's God, Yahweh.

Joshua 24 5 Word analysis

• And I sent (וָאֶשְׁלַח, wa'eshlaḥ): From the Hebrew verb שָׁלַח (shalakh), meaning "to send," "dispatch," "stretch out." This verb highlights God's purposeful and active initiation. He is the prime mover. It signifies divine commissioning and authorization for the work that follows, underscoring God's sovereignty in choosing and directing His instruments. This direct "I sent" affirms God's immediate action and ownership of the subsequent events, countering any idea that human effort was the primary driver of the Exodus.
• Moses and Aaron (מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן, Moshe v'Aharon): These were the divinely appointed leaders for the Exodus, as described in Ex 3-4. Moses, the prophet and deliverer, and Aaron, the priestly representative and spokesperson. Their specific mention by God Himself validates their authority and indispensable roles, demonstrating God's particular selection of human agents, even while He alone held the power to deliver. Their selection represents a significant aspect of God's strategy for interacting with humanity.
• and I plagued (וָאֶגֹּף, wa'eggoff): From the Hebrew verb נָגַף (nagaph), meaning "to strike," "smite," "plague." This verb denotes a powerful, devastating blow or defeat. It directly refers to the ten plagues brought upon Egypt (Ex 7-12). This signifies God's direct intervention, demonstrating His absolute power over all aspects of creation (natural forces, life, and death) and emphatically showcasing His supremacy over all Egyptian deities (e.g., Pharaoh, Ra, Hapi, Heket, Osiris, Ptah), thereby exposing their impotence and offering a powerful polemic against polytheism. Each plague was a direct attack on a specific Egyptian god or aspect of Egyptian life/economy.
• Egypt (מִצְרַיִם, Mitsrayim): The land of bondage where Israel was enslaved. The geographical specificity anchors the divine act in real history, not myth. Egypt represents the stronghold of oppression and worldly power, highlighting the magnitude of the deliverance God achieved.
• according to what I did in its midst (כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי בְּקִרְבּוֹ, ka'asher asiti b'qirbo): This phrase emphasizes the precision and intentionality of God's actions. It implies a plan, a measured and effective response to Pharaoh's defiance and the Egyptians' oppression of Israel. The plagues were not random acts but specific judgments orchestrated by God within Egypt itself. "In its midst" further signifies God's deep and pervasive intervention into the heart of Egyptian society and religion, not merely on its fringes.
• and afterward (וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן, v'akharey-khen): This transitional phrase indicates a clear sequence of events initiated and directed by God. The plagues served as the necessary prelude and instrument of persuasion (and judgment) before the ultimate act of deliverance. It implies a divine strategic progression toward the desired outcome.
• I brought you out (וָאוֹצִא אֶתְכֶם, wa'otsi etkhem): From the Hebrew verb יָצָא (yatsa), meaning "to go out," "come out," and in the Hiphil causative stem, "to bring out." This is the climactic statement of the Exodus event. The repeated "I" throughout the verse (I sent, I plagued, I brought you out) reinforces God as the sole initiator and executor of Israel's redemption. It signifies a complete, successful, and forceful liberation orchestrated by divine power. "You" directly addresses the assembled Israelites, drawing them into the personal history of God's redemptive work.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I sent Moses and Aaron...": This highlights God's sovereign choice and preparation of instruments for His work, establishing that human leadership operates under divine appointment and commission. It sets the stage for His mighty deeds, emphasizing partnership, yet ultimate divine control.
• "...and I plagued Egypt according to what I did in its midst;": This emphasizes the demonstration of God's power as judge and sovereign over all nations and false deities. The plagues were targeted judgments, a strategic dismantling of Egypt's power and its idolatrous system, preparing the way for liberation and displaying God's matchless glory. This demonstrates His ability to perfectly execute His will through judgment and righteousness.
• "...and afterward I brought you out.": This culminates in the definitive act of deliverance. The entire preceding process – the sending of leaders and the devastating plagues – was purposed for this singular outcome: the salvation of His chosen people. This phrase is the ultimate proof of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to redeem from the strongest of bondages, defining Israel's identity as a nation brought forth by divine power.

Joshua 24 5 Bonus section

• The structure of God speaking in the first person ("I sent... I plagued... I brought you out") throughout Joshua 24 is characteristic of covenant formulations in the ancient Near East, where a suzerain (superior ruler) would recount his beneficent deeds for his vassal (subordinate party), laying the groundwork for the vassal's loyalty and obedience. This structure reinforces Yahweh's authority and Israel's covenant obligations.
• The progression from "sending" to "plaguing" to "bringing out" highlights the step-by-step nature of God's plan, revealing His strategic patience and precision in achieving His purposes, not just through raw power but also through calculated interventions.
• The divine name, though not explicitly mentioned in this verse in many English translations, is understood implicitly as the Speaker, Yahweh, emphasizing His unique personal involvement as the God of Israel's salvation history.

Joshua 24 5 Commentary

Joshua 24:5 serves as a concise summary of the pivotal Exodus narrative, powerfully reiterating God's central role as the sole agent of Israel's salvation. It is not merely a historical recap but a theological declaration: Yahweh is a God who acts decisively in history. By emphasizing "I sent," "I plagued," and "I brought you out," the verse disallows any attribution of success to human prowess or chance. It foregrounds God's deliberate, active engagement, from commissioning leaders to executing judgments and finally performing the liberation. The mention of plagues ("according to what I did in its midst") underlines God's omnipotence and His judicial authority over world powers and their false gods. The Exodus was a direct polemic against the Egyptian pantheon, proving Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty. This divine initiative established Israel's identity and its fundamental reliance on God's covenant faithfulness and power. It's a foundational truth for understanding their existence and obligation to Him. This passage invites Israel to recall God's great salvation in their history, thereby bolstering their faith and confirming His enduring claim on their loyalty. For believers today, this act of historical deliverance foreshadows God's ultimate spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin through Christ. Just as Israel could not free itself, humanity cannot save itself, requiring God's sovereign initiative.