Joshua 21:45

Authorized King James Version

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֹֽא

H3808

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

נָפַ֣ל

H5307

There failed

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

הַדָּבָ֣ר

H1697

not ought

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

מִכֹּל֙

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדָּבָ֣ר

H1697

not ought

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַטּ֔וֹב

H2896

of any good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר

H1696

had spoken

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

which the LORD

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

#10

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

unto the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#12

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

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

#13

הַכֹּ֖ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

בָּֽא׃

H935

all came to pass

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

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

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

How does this verse's literary context within Joshua chapter 21 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
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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