Keraia
Joshua 23

Joshua 23:4

Joshua’s Charge to Leaders · Joshua 23:1–16
Read Joshua 23

Translations

Modern
See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea.
Traditional
Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
Literal
See, I have divided by lot to you these remaining nations, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, and with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun.
Latin
…et nunc quia vobis sorte divisit omnem terram, ab orientali parte Jordanis usque ad mare magnum, multæque adhuc supersunt nationes:

Original

Hebrew
English
See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea.

Notes

Joshua 23:4–5

The Israelites had not yet conquered some of the land Joshua assigned to the tribes. Israel took possession of the land slowly for several reasons:

  • There was an ecological reason. God said that the people should not drive out all the inhabitants at once, so that wild animals would not increase too quickly (see Exodus 23:29–30).

  • There was also a military reason. Israel did not yet have enough strength or technology to defeat some groups, especially those with iron chariots (see Judges 1:19).

  • There was also a theological reason. God allowed some Canaanite groups to remain in the land to test Israel’s faithfulness and obedience (see Judges 2:20–3:4).

However, Israel did not remain faithful. Instead of driving out the remaining Canaanites, the Israelites lived among them and adopted some of their practices. This brought strong temptations that led Israel away from loyalty to the Lord. Joshua warned the people that this danger was real and serious (see Joshua 23:15–16).

Joshua 23:1–11

Joshua strongly encouraged Israel’s leaders to be faithful.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua

Places

Great Sea: The Mediterranean Sea, the western boundary of the Promised Land Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of King Rest Tribe of Dan

Topics

Mediterranean Sea: Mentioned in Scripture As |The Great Sea|