Joshua 1:18
Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֞ישׁ
Whosoever
H376
אִ֞ישׁ
Whosoever
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַמְרֶ֣ה
he be that doth rebel
H4784
יַמְרֶ֣ה
he be that doth rebel
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
4 of 17
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֗יךָ
against thy commandment
H6310
פִּ֗יךָ
against thy commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
6 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמַ֧ע
and will not hearken
H8085
יִשְׁמַ֧ע
and will not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרֶ֛יךָ
unto thy words
H1697
דְּבָרֶ֛יךָ
unto thy words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לְכֹ֥ל
H3605
לְכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תְּצַוֶּ֖נּוּ
in all that thou commandest
H6680
תְּצַוֶּ֖נּוּ
in all that thou commandest
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
13 of 17
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
יוּמָ֑ת
him he shall be put to death
H4191
יוּמָ֑ת
him he shall be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
רַ֖ק
H7535
רַ֖ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
Cross References
Hebrews 12:25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.Deuteronomy 17:12And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.Luke 19:27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Ezra 10:4Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern military discipline required harsh penalties for insubordination—armies without discipline faced defeat. Israel's tribal confederation needed strong unity for successful conquest. The death penalty for rebellion wasn't tyranny but military necessity. Later, Achan's rebellion (chapter 7) brought judgment demonstrating this wasn't empty threat. The tribes' encouragement to Joshua shows healthy relationship between leader and followers—mutual accountability and encouragement.
Questions for Reflection
- What rebellions against godly authority need confrontation in your life?
- How can you encourage spiritual leaders toward courage and faithfulness?
- What balance between submission and accountability marks your relationship with spiritual authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The tribes declare capital punishment for rebellion: 'Whosoever...doth rebel...shall be put to death' (kol-ish asher-yamreh...yumat, כָּל־אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יַמְרֶה...יוּמָת). This severe penalty emphasizes military discipline's necessity during conquest. The phrase 'rebel against thy commandment' (yamreh et-picha, יַמְרֶה אֶת־פִּיךָ) literally means 'rebels against thy mouth'—refusing orders. Their closing encouragement 'only be strong and of a good courage' (raq chazaq ve'emats, רַק חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ) echoes God's threefold command to Joshua (verses 6, 7, 9), showing they recognize his need for divine courage. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that authority carries responsibility requiring divine enablement, and submission includes encouraging leaders toward faithfulness.