Joshua 14:9

Authorized King James Version

And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשָּׁבַ֣ע

H7650

sware

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה

H4872

And Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בַּיּ֣וֹם

H3117

on that day

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהוּא֮

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לֵאמֹר֒

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֗א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙

H776

Surely the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

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

#10

דָּֽרְכָ֤ה

H1869

have trodden

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

#11

רַגְלְךָ֙

H7272

whereon thy feet

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

#12

בָּ֔הּ

#13

לְךָ֙

#14

תִֽהְיֶ֧ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#15

לְנַֽחֲלָ֛ה

H5159

shall be thine inheritance

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

#16

וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ

H1121

and thy children's

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#17

עַד

H5704

for

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

#18

עוֹלָ֑ם

H5769

ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

#19

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#20

מִלֵּ֔אתָ

H4390

because thou hast wholly

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

#21

אַֽחֲרֵ֖י

H310

followed

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#22

יְהוָ֥ה

H3068

the LORD

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

#23

אֱלֹהָֽי׃

H430

my 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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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 does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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