Joshua 1:15

Authorized King James Version

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 gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

Word-by-Word Analysis

עַ֠ד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָנִ֨יחַ

H5117

have given

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

Until the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֮

H251

your brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

כָּכֶם֒

וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם

H3423

and enjoy

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

גַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֔מָּה

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

#10

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

לְאֶ֤רֶץ

H776

the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#12

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

Until the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#14

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם

H430

your God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#15

נָתַ֣ן

H5414

gave

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#16

לָהֶ֑ם

#17

וְשַׁבְתֶּ֞ם

H7725

them then ye shall return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#18

לְאֶ֤רֶץ

H776

the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#19

יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם֙

H3425

of your possession

something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony

#20

וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם

H3423

and enjoy

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

#21

אוֹתָ֔הּ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#23

נָתַ֣ן

H5414

gave

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#24

לָכֶ֗ם

#25

מֹשֶׁה֙

H4872

it which Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

#26

עֶ֣בֶד

H5650

servant

a servant

#27

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

Until the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#28

בְּעֵ֥בֶר

H5676

you on this side

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

#29

הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן

H3383

Jordan

jarden, the principal river of palestine

#30

מִזְרַ֥ח

H4217

toward the sunrising

sunrise, i.e., the east

#31

הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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