Joshua 23:1

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַּיָּמִֽים׃
in age
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
#3
רַבִּ֔ים
And it came to pass a long
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#4
אַֽ֠חֲרֵי
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#5
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
הֵנִ֨יחַ
had given rest
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
#7
יְהוָ֧ה
that the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
unto Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
מִכָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֖ם
from all their enemies
hating; an adversary
#11
מִסָּבִ֑יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#12
וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
that Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#13
זָקֵ֔ן
waxed old
to be old
#14
בָּ֖א
and stricken
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#15
בַּיָּמִֽים׃
in age
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

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

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

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