Joshua 1

I. We have now before us the history of the Jewish nation in this book and those that follow it to the end of the book of Esther. These books, to he end of the books of the Kings, the Jewish writers call the first book of the prophets, to bring them within the distribution of the books of the Old Testament, into the Law, the Prophets, and the Chetubim, or Hagiographa, Luke 24:44. The rest they make part of the Hagiographa. For, though history is their subject, it is justly supposed that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 1:1-9

Honour is here put upon Joshua, and great power lodged in his hand, by him that is the fountain of honour and power, and by whom kings reign. Instructions are given him by Infinite Wisdom, and encouragements by the God of all consolation. God had before spoken to Moses concerning him (Num. 27:18), but now he speaks to him (Josh. 1:1), probably as he spoke to Moses (Lev. 1:1) out of the tabernacle of the congregation, where Joshua had with Moses presented himself (Deut. 31:14), to learn the way... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 1:10-13

Joshua, being settled in the government, immediately applies himself to business; not to take state or to take his pleasure, but to further the work of God among, the people over whom God had set him. As he that desires the office of a minister (1 Tim. 3:1), so he that desires the office of a magistrate, desires a work, a good work; neither is preferred to be idle. I. He issues out orders to the people to provide for a march; and they had been so long encamped in their present post that it... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 1:16-18

This answer was given not by the two tribes and a half only (though they are spoken of immediately before), but by the officers of all the people (Josh. 1:10), as their representatives, concurring with the divine appointment, by which Joshua was set over them, and they did it heartily, and with a great deal of cheerfulness and resolution. I. They promise him obedience (Josh. 1:16), not only as subjects to their prince, but as soldiers to their general, of whose particular orders they are to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 1 Moses being dead, the Lord directs and encourages Joshua to take the command of the children of Israel, and go over Jordan with them, and take possession of the land of Canaan, and divide it to them; giving him gracious promises and strong assurances of his presence, and some good advice with respect to his conduct, Joshua 1:1 ; upon which Joshua orders the people to be ready in three days to go along with him, Joshua 1:10 ; and particularly addresses the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:1

Now after the death of Moses ,.... Or "and after" F8 ויהי "et factum est", V. L. "et fuit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. ; the book begins as if something went before, it is connected with; and indeed it seems to be the last chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, which treats of the death of Moses; and Joshua being the penman of Deuteronomy 34:5 , as say the Talmudists F9 T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 14. 2. , and of this book, as has been seen, having wrote them, he goes on with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:2

Moses my servant is dead ,.... Which was said not for the information of Joshua, but to lead on to, and show the cause and reason of what he was about to say to him: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan ; near to which the whole body of the people of Israel were, and very probably were in sight of it: thou, and all this people : which were very numerous, six hundred thousand men or more, besides a great number of women and children, and no boats to carry them over, or pontoons to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:3

Every place that the sole of your feet shall tread upon ,.... That is, in the land of Canaan: that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses : See Gill on Deuteronomy 11:24 ; though the Jews extend this to all without the land subdued by them, and even to all the countries they now tread on, and are exiles in; but the limits of what the Lord gave them are fixed in Joshua 1:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 1:4

From the wilderness ,.... The wilderness of Kadesh and Sin, on the border of Edom; in the southeast corner, as Jarchi says, see Numbers 34:3 , and this Lebanon ; which though on the other side Jordan, and at a considerable distance, being the northern border of the land towards Syria, might be seen afar off; or it is expressed, because it was a well known place, as Kimchi remarks: even unto the great river, the river Euphrates ; which was the eastern border of the land, and to... read more

Group of Brands