Joshua 24 7

Joshua 24:7 kjv

And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.

Joshua 24:7 nkjv

So they cried out to the LORD; and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, brought the sea upon them, and covered them. And your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. Then you dwelt in the wilderness a long time.

Joshua 24:7 niv

But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

Joshua 24:7 esv

And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time.

Joshua 24:7 nlt

When your ancestors cried out to the LORD, I put darkness between you and the Egyptians. I brought the sea crashing down on the Egyptians, drowning them. With your very own eyes you saw what I did. Then you lived in the wilderness for many years.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 7 Meaning

Joshua 24:7 describes the pivotal moments of Israel's exodus from Egypt and subsequent wilderness journey, emphasizing the direct, powerful intervention of the Lord on their behalf. When Israel cried out in distress, the Lord acted by creating a dividing darkness between His people and their Egyptian pursuers, bringing the sea to engulf and destroy the Egyptians, and enabling Israel to personally witness His mighty deeds. Furthermore, He sustained them in the challenging wilderness for an extended period, demonstrating His unwavering provision and faithfulness.

Joshua 24 7 Context

Joshua 24 recounts Joshua's final address to the people of Israel at Shechem, a significant covenant renewal ceremony before his death. In this discourse, Joshua reviews the entire history of God's dealings with Israel, starting from Abraham, recounting the patriarchal narratives, the oppression in Egypt, the dramatic Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and their ultimate conquest of the Promised Land. This historical recounting serves as the foundation for his exhortation to "fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in truth" (Josh 24:14). Verse 7 specifically highlights the crucial events of the Red Sea crossing and the subsequent wilderness journey, moments when God's power, protection, and provision were overwhelmingly demonstrated and personally witnessed by the nation. These events directly refuted any claims of Egyptian gods and firmly established YHWH as the sole sovereign deliverer, thereby necessitating an exclusive allegiance from His people.

Joshua 24 7 Word analysis

• And when they cried out (וַיִּצְעֲקוּ, vayyiṣ‘ăqū): From the root צָעַק (tsa'aq), meaning to cry aloud, call for help, usually in distress or anguish. This is a common biblical expression for a desperate plea to God in times of dire need. It indicates Israel's vulnerability and dependence, contrasting sharply with the Lord's omnipotent response.
• to the LORD (אֶל-יְהוָה, ’el YHVH): Refers to Yahweh (YHWH), the covenant God of Israel. This proper name emphasizes God's personal and relational aspect with His people, who intervenes powerfully on their behalf. It highlights His distinctiveness from the many false gods of the nations.
• He put darkness (וַיָּשֶׂם חֹשֶׁךְ, vayyāśem ḥōšek): From שׂוּם (śûm), to put, place, appoint; and חֹשֶׁךְ (choshekh), darkness. This was a miraculous, divinely ordained darkness, distinct from natural night. It refers to the pillar of cloud that separated Israel from the Egyptians (Ex 14:20), which was dark to the Egyptians but lit the way for Israel. This serves as a strong polemic against the Egyptian sun god Ra and other deities associated with light, demonstrating YHWH's ultimate sovereignty over light and darkness.
• between you and the Egyptians (בֵּינֵיכֶם וּבֵין מִצְרָיִם, bênêḵem ūḇên miṣrayim): Highlights a distinct separation, a divine shield or barrier. This was not merely physical but also theological, symbolizing God's protective demarcation of His chosen people from their oppressors.
• and brought the sea upon them (וַיָּבֵא אֶת־הַיָּם עֲלֵיהֶם, vayyāḇē ’et-hayyām ‘ălêhem): From בּוֹא (bo'), to bring, come; and יָם (yam), sea. This refers to the dramatic closing of the Red Sea. The use of "brought" (hiphil verb) underscores God's direct and intentional action in controlling the elements to fulfill His judgment and deliver His people.
• and covered them (וַיְכַסֵּם, vayəḵassem): From כָּסָה (kāsah), to cover, conceal, overwhelm. Implies complete annihilation. The Red Sea swallowed and totally destroyed the Egyptian army, a definitive act of judgment. This absolute destruction was critical for Israel's liberation and security.
• And your eyes saw (וַתִּרְאֶינָה עֵינֵיכֶם, wattir’ênāh ‘ênêḵem): From רָאָה (ra’ah), to see, and עַיִן (‘ayin), eye. This phrase emphasizes direct, personal, undeniable eyewitness testimony. It wasn't a story heard, but a miracle experienced firsthand. This direct seeing formed a foundational aspect of Israel's faith and the covenant memory.
• what I did to Egypt (אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי בְּמִצְרַיִם, ’ēt ’ăšer ‘āśîtî bəmiṣrayim): God speaking in the first person ("I") stresses His direct involvement and authorship of these powerful deeds. It contrasts divine power with human limitations or any perceived power of Egyptian deities or Pharaoh.
• And you lived in the wilderness (וַתֵּשְׁבוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר, wattēšəḇû bammidbār): From יָשַׁב (yaśav), to dwell, reside; and מִדְבָּר (midbār), wilderness. This points to the 40-year period of wandering. It signifies not just transit but prolonged habitation in a desolate, harsh environment where survival was only possible by divine provision.
• a long time (יָמִים רַבִּים, yāmîm rabbîm): Lit. "many days." This emphasizes the duration of God's sustained faithfulness beyond the dramatic initial deliverance. It implies ongoing guidance, provision, and patient endurance, often despite Israel's rebellious actions during this period.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And when they cried out to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians and brought the sea upon them and covered them.": This sequence powerfully demonstrates God's immediate and multifaceted response to Israel's plea. It depicts divine intervention that simultaneously separates, protects (darkness), and decisively judges and destroys (sea) the enemy. This shows God as both a Deliverer and a Judge, perfectly aligned with His covenant promises and justice. The contrast between Israel's human cry and God's supernatural, cosmic-level action is striking.
• "And your eyes saw what I did to Egypt.": This phrase establishes the undeniable veracity and significance of the event. The "seeing" by "your eyes" makes the historical reality visceral and personally applicable to every generation. It emphasizes God's self-revelation through observable, powerful acts, forming the historical bedrock for their covenant relationship and subsequent national identity. This personal witness necessitates a personal response of allegiance.
• "And you lived in the wilderness a long time.": This part shifts from the dramatic, immediate salvation to a period of sustained, continuous provision and leading. It highlights God's long-suffering faithfulness, not only in crisis but also in the mundane, day-to-day existence in a challenging environment. This long sojourn taught Israel dependence on God alone, forging them into a people through consistent divine presence. It is a testament to God's enduring commitment to His people, nurturing them for generations.

Joshua 24 7 Bonus section

• The structure of Joshua's speech in chapter 24, including verse 7, is reminiscent of ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where the great king (Suzerain) would recount his benevolent acts towards his vassal states, followed by requirements and blessings/curses. Here, the Lord is the ultimate Suzerain, and Israel is His vassal, with the recounted history forming the basis for their covenant obligation to Him alone.
• The emphasis on "seeing" God's works links directly to the concept of the Shema (Deut 6:4-9), where the historical acts of God become internalized truth passed from generation to generation. It is a call to active remembrance (Heb. zakar), which is far more than passive recollection but involves re-engagement with past divine acts as motivation for present obedience.
• The double nature of the cloud (darkness to enemies, light to Israel) illustrates God's complex character – His holiness that judges wickedness while illuminating and protecting His redeemed people. This duality of judgment and salvation is a recurring theme throughout biblical narrative and prophecy.

Joshua 24 7 Commentary

Joshua 24:7 distills a monumental period of Israel's history into a few powerful statements, underscoring fundamental truths about the Lord. It captures God's responsiveness to the desperate cries of His people, His absolute sovereignty over nature (darkness, sea) and nations (Egypt), and His unyielding commitment to both deliver His own and judge their oppressors. The direct witnessing ("your eyes saw") of these miracles made God's power an undeniable, personal experience for the entire generation, forming the unshakeable foundation for their covenant loyalty. Beyond the dramatic initial salvation at the Red Sea, the verse also reminds Israel of God's sustained provision and presence during their long wilderness sojourn, emphasizing that His faithfulness extends through prolonged periods of dependence and discipline. This recounting is not mere history; it's a profound theological statement intended to compel Israel (and subsequent generations) to serve this same faithful and mighty God alone, distinguishing Him sharply from the false gods of their neighbors and the human powers they had known.