Judges 2 8

Judges 2:8 kjv

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

Judges 2:8 nkjv

Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died when he was one hundred and ten years old.

Judges 2:8 niv

Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.

Judges 2:8 esv

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110 years.

Judges 2:8 nlt

Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110.

Judges 2 verses

Judges 2 8 Meaning

This verse marks the end of an era by solemnly recording the death of Joshua, the divinely appointed successor to Moses, who led Israel in the conquest of Canaan. It identifies him by his lineage, bestows upon him the unique and honored title "the servant of the Lord," and specifies his advanced age of one hundred and ten years, signaling a life that completed its God-given purpose. This simple announcement serves as a critical turning point, transitioning the narrative from the period of unified leadership and conquest to the subsequent chaotic era of the Judges.

Judges 2 8 Context

Judges 2:8 is positioned at a crucial juncture in the narrative of Judges. The preceding verses (Judg 2:1-5) describe the Angel of the Lord's rebuke to Israel at Bochim for their failure to obey God's command to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants and for making covenants with them, prophesying that these nations would become thorns in Israel's side. Immediately before verse 8, Judges 2:7 states that "the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua." This paints a picture of faithfulness during Joshua's leadership. The concise statement of Joshua's death in verse 8, though a factual record, serves as a poignant signal of an impending spiritual decline. It marks the transition from the era of unified and successful conquest under a God-commissioned leader to a period defined by Israel's recurring apostasy, oppression by foreign nations, and cycles of divine deliverance through appointed judges. This verse is the pivot, setting the stage for the recurring pattern of disobedience and judgment that characterizes the rest of the book, directly leading into Judges 2:10 where "another generation arose who did not know the Lord."

Judges 2 8 Word analysis

• And: וְ (ve-). This conjunction ties Joshua's death directly to the preceding narrative, signaling not only a continuation of Israel's history but also a profound shift in its trajectory. It bridges the successful era under his leadership to the turbulent times that follow.
• Joshua: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua). The personal name of Israel's leader. Meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves," his name perfectly reflects his God-given mission to lead the Israelites in conquering and possessing the Promised Land, foreshadowing the deliverance he brought to Israel. This name shares roots with Jesus (Yeshua), indicating salvation.
• the son of Nun: נוּן (Nun). A customary Hebrew way of identifying an individual by their father. Nun's name means "fish" or "perpetuity," yet its primary significance here is simply accurate identification.
• the servant of the Lord: עֶבֶד יְהוָה (ʿeved YHVH). This is a highly significant theological title. "Servant" (עֶבֶד - ʿeved) here denotes one entirely devoted to God, acting as His chosen instrument and intimate associate. It signifies direct divine commissioning, faithful obedience, and a profound personal relationship with Yahweh. Moses was also called "the servant of the Lord" (Deut 34:5), placing Joshua in the esteemed company of Israel's greatest leaders, affirming his role as God's representative and executor of His will. It elevates Joshua beyond a mere military leader to a spiritual authority sanctioned by God. This title profoundly anticipates the "Servant" of the Lord passages in Isaiah, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ.
• died: וַיָּמָת (vayyamot). A stark and simple statement. Its brevity underscores the finality and gravity of the event. It marks the conclusion of an age characterized by unified, direct, and divinely guided leadership through Joshua, and the beginning of a leadership void.
• being an hundred and ten years old: מֵאָה וְעֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים (meʾah veʿeśer shanim). This specific age of death is notable. Joseph, another foundational figure in Israel's history who transitioned his people into a new phase (into Egypt), also lived to 110 (Gen 50:26). In ancient Egyptian thought (influential to Israel during their early history), 110 years was considered the ideal, complete lifespan, signifying a life of wisdom, honor, and fulfilled purpose. For Joshua, it indicates that his life and mission, ordained by God, were fully accomplished; he was not cut off prematurely.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord": This phrase immediately establishes Joshua's identity, his significant lineage, and most importantly, his unique relationship with and authority from God. It highlights his stature as God's specially chosen and consecrated agent.
• "died, being an hundred and ten years old": This phrase delivers the news of his passing and emphasizes that his life was long and complete. His death, however, serves as the critical marker, signaling the end of an epoch. It sets the stage for the dramatic decline in leadership and spiritual fervor that would soon plague Israel. The very specific age reinforces the sense of a divinely measured and concluded chapter of Israel's history.

Judges 2 8 Bonus section

• The Deuteronomistic History (a scholarly construct often applied to Deut-2 Kgs) views the entire book of Judges through the lens of Judges 2:6-19. Joshua's death in verse 8, followed by the rise of "another generation" in verse 10, serves as the theological hinge, explaining why Israel entered a downward spiral: their failure to maintain faithful obedience after Joshua’s powerful leadership ceased.
• The repetitive nature of mentioning Joshua’s death (here and in Josh 24:29-30) highlights its supreme importance in God's historical narrative. It acts as a divine punctuation mark, indicating the close of one volume of salvation history and the opening of another.
• While Joshua served God, the Lord himself did not pass away. The vacuum created by Joshua’s death should have been filled by a greater reliance on God himself, but instead, Israel fell into apostasy. This serves as a timeless principle: human leadership is vital, but ultimately, faith must rest solely on God.

Judges 2 8 Commentary

Judges 2:8 delivers a powerful, albeit understated, theological message within its concise declaration. The death of Joshua, depicted as "the servant of the Lord," is presented as a pivotal event that ushers in a new and darker period for Israel. The title "servant of the Lord" is not merely an honorific; it signifies a person wholly committed to and used by God, echoing the high regard given to Moses. Joshua’s demise removed a spiritual anchor and a strong leader who effectively taught and embodied obedience to the covenant. His age of 110 years indicates a full, blessed life, not a premature end, implying that his specific divine work was completed. Yet, precisely because his work was finished and he was gone, the subsequent spiritual void became apparent.

This verse subtly underscores the critical importance of leadership in maintaining covenant faithfulness. While Joshua faithfully led the initial generation in obedience, the very next generation, as described in verse 10, failed to "know the Lord" – a deeper concept than mere acquaintance, signifying a lack of relational obedience and commitment. The absence of a divinely chosen successor, unlike Joshua to Moses, meant a decentralized and often fragmented leadership structure in the subsequent period of the Judges. Thus, this verse is not just a historical note but a somber prologue to Israel's cycle of disobedience and judgment, serving as a reminder that faithfulness must be diligently passed from one generation to the next, beyond the lifetime of any single leader. It implicitly warns against presuming continued blessing simply due to past successes or a revered legacy if personal devotion to God wanes.