Joshua 1:14
Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
Original Language Analysis
טַפְּכֶם֮
your little ones
H2945
טַפְּכֶם֮
your little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
2 of 21
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
וּמִקְנֵיכֶם֒
and your cattle
H4735
וּמִקְנֵיכֶם֒
and your cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
3 of 21
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
יֵֽשְׁב֕וּ
shall remain
H3427
יֵֽשְׁב֕וּ
shall remain
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֥ן
gave
H5414
נָתַ֥ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּעֵ֣בֶר
you on this side
H5676
בְּעֵ֣בֶר
you on this side
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
תַּֽעַבְר֨וּ
but ye shall pass
H5674
תַּֽעַבְר֨וּ
but ye shall pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
13 of 21
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם
your brethren
H251
אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם
your brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
16 of 21
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י
all the mighty
H1368
גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י
all the mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
18 of 21
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
הַחַ֔יִל
men of valour
H2428
הַחַ֔יִל
men of valour
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
19 of 21
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
Historical Context
Numbers 32:17 records this same commitment. The Transjordan warriors numbered approximately 40,000 (Joshua 4:13), forming a significant portion of Israel's fighting force. Their willingness to leave families and livestock vulnerable while fighting years away demonstrated remarkable faith and covenant loyalty. They faithfully served throughout the seven-year conquest before returning home (Joshua 22:1-4).
Questions for Reflection
- What sacrifices is God calling you to make to help spiritual siblings succeed?
- How does leading 'before your brethren' challenge you to take difficult assignments rather than seeking comfort?
- What does leaving family secure to help others reveal about covenant priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua outlines the practical arrangement: families remain in Transjordan while warriors cross to help their brothers. The phrase 'mighty men of valour' (giborei hechayil, גִּבֹּרֵי הֶחָיִל) describes seasoned warriors, not mere able-bodied men. The command 'pass before your brethren armed' (thoveru lifnei acheikhem chamushtm, תַּעַבְרוּ לִפְנֵי אֲחֵיכֶם חֲמֻשִׁים) means march in battle formation leading the advance. This demonstrates covenant solidarity—those with secured inheritance lead dangerous missions helping brothers gain theirs. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates stronger believers sacrificially serving weaker ones, and those who received grace first ministering to others.