Joshua 24 8

Joshua 24:8 kjv

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

Joshua 24:8 nkjv

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt on the other side of the Jordan, and they fought with you. But I gave them into your hand, that you might possess their land, and I destroyed them from before you.

Joshua 24:8 niv

"?'I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land.

Joshua 24:8 esv

Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you.

Joshua 24:8 nlt

"Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I destroyed them before you. I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 8 Meaning

This verse, spoken by God through Joshua, recounts the Lord's faithful and powerful actions in leading Israel to conquer the kingdoms of the Amorites east of the Jordan River. It highlights divine initiative, enablement in battle, and the sovereign act of granting Israel possession of the land through the complete destruction of their enemies. The verse emphasizes that Israel's victory was entirely God's work.

Joshua 24 8 Context

Joshua 24 records Joshua's final address to all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, a solemn occasion akin to a covenant renewal ceremony. As he approaches his death, Joshua recapitulates God's faithful acts throughout Israel's history, starting from Abraham's call (v. 2). He recounts the patriarchal period, the exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, and crucially, the victories in the conquest of Canaan. Verse 8 specifically refers to the successful conquest of the Transjordanian kingdoms of Sihon (king of the Amorites) and Og (king of Bashan) before Israel even crossed the Jordan River into the promised land west of the Jordan. This victory (detailed in Num 21 and Deut 2-3) was significant because it secured Israel's eastern flank and provided initial territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Joshua emphasizes that these victories, and indeed all their past successes, were not due to Israel's strength or cunning, but entirely to Yahweh's direct intervention and might. This historical recounting serves as the foundation for his challenge to Israel: "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness" (v. 14).

Joshua 24 8 Word analysis

• Then I brought you: הֵבֵאתִי (heve'ti) - "I brought." The explicit use of the first-person singular pronoun "I" unmistakably designates God as the initiator and agent. This highlights divine sovereignty and proactive care in leading Israel, not just reacting to their needs or actions. It underscores Yahweh as the faithful, covenant-keeping God.

• into the land of the Amorites: אֶרֶץ הָאֱמֹרִי ('erets ha'emori) - "land of the Amorite." "Amorite" ('Emori) here specifically refers to the powerful kingdoms of Sihon and Og located in the Transjordan. This land was explicitly part of the territory promised by God to Abraham's descendants (Gen 15:16).

• who lived on the other side of the Jordan: בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן (be'ever ha'Yarden) - literally "across the Jordan." This precise geographical detail situates these Amorite kingdoms relative to the core Promised Land, underscoring that God commenced Israel's territorial acquisition even prior to their iconic crossing into central Canaan.

• and they fought with you: וַיִּלָּחֲמוּ בָכֶם (vayyilakhmu vakhem) - "and they fought against you." This phrase acknowledges the real and substantial opposition Israel encountered. The conquest was not unopposed; it involved genuine warfare, which further accentuates God's indispensable role in Israel's ultimate triumph despite formidable enemy strength.

• and I gave them into your hand: וָאֶתֵּן אוֹתָם בְּיֶדְכֶם (va'etten otam be'yedkhem) - "and I gave them into your hand." This is a profoundly theological statement. The Hebrew idiom "give into your hand" conveys complete victory, mastery, and the surrender of the enemy. It powerfully reiterates divine agency, clarifying that the victory was a gift from God, rather than an achievement attributable to Israel's military might. This shifts the focus from Israel's battle effort to God's sovereign act of deliverance.

• and you took their land: וַתִּירְשׁוּ אֶת־אַרְצָם (vattirshu 'et-artzam) - "and you dispossessed/inherited their land." While Israel indeed took physical possession, the narrative consistently credits the underlying enablement to God. The verb "dispossessed" (yarash) inherently connects to the concept of inheritance, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's land promise.

• and I destroyed them before you: וָאַשְׁמִידֵם מִפְּנֵיכֶם (va'ashmidem mippneykhem) - "and I caused them to cease to exist from before your face/presence." "Destroyed" (shamad) here implies complete annihilation, denoting a thorough and decisive victory ordained by God as judgment upon these nations. "Before you" signifies that Israel directly witnessed this divine judgment, thus affirming God's manifest presence and direct involvement in their conflicts.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I brought you... I gave them... I destroyed them...": The insistent repetition of the first-person singular pronoun "I" profoundly emphasizes Yahweh's exclusive agency and absolute control over Israel's historical trajectory and the fate of their adversaries. This directly refutes any human-centric attribution of their conquests or success. It accentuates God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His sovereign initiative from the exodus to their settlement in the land.
  • "into the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan": This composite phrase identifies a specific, verifiable historical event and its precise geographical setting. This serves to ground the theological claim of divine intervention in tangible, collective memories of the Israelites, showcasing the concreteness of God's active involvement in their history.
  • "they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand": This deliberate pairing juxtaposes human resistance with divine triumph. It acknowledges the legitimate peril Israel faced but immediately subordinates it to God's decisive act of "giving into their hand." This illustrates Yahweh's superior power and unwavering faithfulness, rendering any human opposition ultimately ineffectual against His will.
  • "you took their land, and I destroyed them before you": This construction clearly articulates a cause-and-effect relationship: God's destruction of the enemies ("I destroyed them") served as the prerequisite action that enabled Israel's subsequent possession of the territory ("you took their land"). This emphasizes that the 'taking' of the land was a direct consequence and outgrowth of God's preceding divine act, ensuring that the ultimate glory for the inheritance rested entirely with the Lord.

Joshua 24 8 Bonus section

This verse, situated within the broader context of Joshua 24, profoundly contributes to Israel's theological understanding of their inheritance. The land was fundamentally a gracious gift, rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, not a reward for Israel's merit. The military conquests, particularly of the Amorites here, were therefore seen as divinely executed acts of dispossession, orchestrated by God to prepare the way for His people's entry into the promised inheritance. This established a foundational principle: Israel's sustained dwelling in the land would depend not on their military might, numerical superiority, or strategic prowess, but entirely on their faithful obedience to the God who sovereignly granted them the land in the first place. The focus shifts from "Israel conquered" to "God delivered nations to Israel" to fulfill His covenant. This sets forth a powerful challenge: will Israel remain faithful to the Giver of the land, or will they forget Him in the abundance of His blessings?

Joshua 24 8 Commentary

Joshua 24:8 functions as a critical summary within Joshua's valedictory address, reminding Israel that their existence and success in the Promised Land were not deserved achievements, but rather pure gifts flowing from God's immense power and grace. The emphatic repetition of the divine "I" ("I brought," "I gave," "I destroyed") saturates the verse with the truth of Yahweh as the supreme warrior who personally champions His people, grants them decisive victory, and delivers their adversaries into their control. This specific recall of the Transjordan conquest underscores God's methodical care, initiating the territorial fulfillment of His ancient promises even before the pivotal crossing of the Jordan River. It stands as a potent challenge to any inclination toward future self-reliance or attributing success to pagan deities. Instead, it powerfully directs Israel towards renewed covenant obedience and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The practical implication is a profound call to consistent trust and obedient living, understanding that true security, inheritance, and victory fundamentally emanate from God's hand. For contemporary believers, this mirrors the reality that spiritual victories and the promise of eternal inheritance are similarly not earned by human effort but graciously received through faith in Christ's accomplished work, thus prompting worship, gratitude, and humble service.