Joshua 22:5
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Original Language Analysis
רַ֣ק׀
H7535
רַ֣ק׀
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 30
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר
and to keep
H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר
and to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
2 of 30
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מְאֹ֗ד
But take diligent
H3966
מְאֹ֗ד
But take diligent
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
3 of 30
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
לַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 30
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוֹתָ֖יו
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֖יו
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
6 of 30
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַתּוֹרָה֮
and the law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָה֮
and the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
8 of 30
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶתְכֶם֮
H853
אֶתְכֶם֮
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֨ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְ֠אַֽהֲבָה
you to love
H157
לְ֠אַֽהֲבָה
you to love
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
15 of 30
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֨ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֜ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֜ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 30
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
וְלָלֶ֧כֶת
H1980
וְלָלֶ֧כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
19 of 30
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דְּרָכָ֛יו
in all his ways
H1870
דְּרָכָ֛יו
in all his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
21 of 30
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר
and to keep
H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר
and to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
22 of 30
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתָ֖יו
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֖יו
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
23 of 30
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וּלְדָבְקָה
and to cleave
H1692
וּלְדָבְקָה
and to cleave
Strong's:
H1692
Word #:
24 of 30
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
וּלְעָבְד֕וֹ
unto him and to serve
H5647
וּלְעָבְד֕וֹ
unto him and to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
26 of 30
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
27 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבַבְכֶ֖ם
him with all your heart
H3824
לְבַבְכֶ֖ם
him with all your heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
28 of 30
the heart (as the most interior organ)
Cross References
Matthew 22:37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.Exodus 20:6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Deuteronomy 11:22For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;Matthew 4:10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Acts 11:23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.Acts 27:23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,Romans 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;Romans 12:9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Historical Context
This farewell charge to Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh occurred as they returned east of Jordan after fulfilling their commitment to help conquer Canaan (1:12-18). Their separation from the main tribes created concern about maintaining unity, addressed through altar construction (verses 10-34). Joshua's emphasis on covenant faithfulness shows that geographical distance shouldn't produce spiritual drift. The charge's language echoes Deuteronomy, maintaining Mosaic teaching's authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain spiritual faithfulness when separated from regular fellowship and accountability?
- What comprehensive covenant obedience looks like practically in loving, walking, keeping, cleaving, and serving God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua's charge to Transjordan tribes—'But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul'—comprehensively summarizes covenant faithfulness. Love, walking, keeping, cleaving, serving—together these represent total devotion. The dual focus on heart and soul ensures internal reality matches external compliance.