Joshua 18:3

Authorized King James Version

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ

H3091

And Joshua

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

unto the children

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עַד

H5704

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

אָ֙נָה֙

H575

where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither

אַתֶּ֣ם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מִתְרַפִּ֔ים

H7503

How long are ye slack

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

#10

לָבוֹא֙

H935

to go

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#11

לָרֶ֣שֶׁת

H3423

to possess

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

#12

אֶת

H853

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

#13

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#14

אֲשֶׁר֙

H834

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

#15

נָתַ֣ן

H5414

hath given

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

#16

לָכֶ֔ם

#17

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

which the LORD

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

#18

אֱלֹהֵ֥י

H430

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

#19

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃

of your fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
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?
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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