Bible Commentaries
Joshua 1

Verse 1

1:1 Now after the {a} death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,

(a) The beginning of this book depends on the last chapter of Deuteronomy which was written by Joshua as a preparation to his history.

Verse 4

1:4 From the {b} wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the {c} Hittites, and unto the great {d} sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

(b) Of Zin, called Kadesh and Paran.

(c) Meaning, the whole land of Canaan.

(d) Called Mediterranean.

Verse 7

1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest {e} prosper whithersoever thou goest.

(e) He shows where true prosperity consists, even to obey the word of God.

Verse 8

1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and {f} night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

(f) Showing that it is not possible to govern well, without the continual study of God’s word.

Verse 11

1:11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for {g} within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

(g) Meaning, from the day that this was proclaimed, Joshua 3:2.

Verse 13

1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this {h} land.

(h) Which belonged to Sihon the king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan.

Verse 15

1:15 Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as [he hath given] you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’S servant {i} gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

(i) By your request, but yet by God’s secret appointment, De 33:21.

Verse 17

1:17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, {k} so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

(k) They not only promise to obey him as long as God is with him: but to help punish all who rebel against him.