Joshua 1:2
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The Jordan River formed the eastern boundary of Canaan proper, separating the Transjordanian territories (already conquered under Moses) from the heartland west of the river. Crossing the Jordan symbolized entering the Promised Land itself, the goal of the entire Exodus journey. The command came during the spring flooding season (3:15; 4:19), when the Jordan overflowed its banks, making the crossing humanly impossible—requiring obvious divine intervention.
Canaan in the Late Bronze Age (15th-13th centuries BCE) was a collection of city-states under nominal Egyptian control, with the Egyptian Empire in decline. The Amarna Letters (14th century BCE) reveal Canaanite kings requesting Egyptian help against invaders called "Habiru" (possibly related to "Hebrew"), showing regional instability that facilitated Israelite conquest. Canaanite religion centered on Baal worship with accompanying sexual immorality and child sacrifice, practices God had condemned (Leviticus 18:21-30; 20:2-5).
The land had been promised to Abraham 600 years earlier (Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 15:18-21), with the delay attributed to the Amorites' sins not yet reaching full measure (Genesis 15:16). Now the time of divine judgment on Canaanite wickedness and fulfillment of patriarchal promises had arrived.
Questions for Reflection
- What "Jordan crossings" might God be calling you to—transitions from waiting to action, from promise to possession—that require faith despite obstacles?
- How do we balance honoring past leaders and seasons ("Moses my servant") while embracing new directions God is leading ("now therefore arise")?
- In what areas of life are you waiting for circumstances to change before obeying, rather than trusting God to work through your obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
God's command begins with stark realism: "Moses my servant is dead." The repetition emphasizes finality—there can be no looking back, no depending on Moses' leadership anymore. Yet this statement also honors Moses as "my servant," maintaining his legacy while making clear that a new era has begun. The Hebrew construction emphasizes divine ownership and relationship.
The word "therefore" (atah, עַתָּה) marks logical progression—because Moses is dead, Joshua must arise. God allows no paralysis through grief or fear. The double imperative "arise, go over" (qum avor, קוּם עֲבֹר) demands immediate, decisive action. The Jordan River, though narrow (80-100 feet wide), was swollen with spring floods, presenting a formidable natural barrier requiring divine intervention (3:15).
The phrase "which I do give to them" uses a Hebrew present participle (noten, נֹתֵן), emphasizing ongoing divine action. Though the land is promised, it requires human cooperation—God gives, but Israel must go and possess. The designation "children of Israel" recalls covenant identity rooted in the patriarchal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, assuring Joshua that this conquest fulfills ancient divine commitments.