Joshua 23:13

Authorized King James Version

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Word-by-Word Analysis

תֵּֽדְע֔וּ

H3045

Know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

תֵּֽדְע֔וּ

H3045

Know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּי֩

H3588

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

לֹ֨א

H3808

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

יוֹסִ֜יף

H3254

will no more

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

that the LORD

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃

H430

your 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

לְהוֹרִ֛ישׁ

H3423

drive out

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

אֶת

H853

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

#10

הַגּוֹיִ֥ם

H1471

any of these nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#11

הָאֵ֖לֶּה

H428

these or those

#12

מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם

H6440

from before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#13

וְהָי֨וּ

H1961

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

#14

לָכֶ֜ם

#15

לְפַ֣ח

H6341

you but they shall be snares

a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin)

#16

וּלְמוֹקֵ֗שׁ

H4170

and traps

a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)

#17

וּלְשֹׁטֵ֤ט

H7850

unto you and scourges

to flog; a goad

#18

בְּצִדֵּיכֶם֙

H6654

in your sides

a side; figuratively, an adversary

#19

וְלִצְנִנִ֣ים

H6796

and thorns

a thorn

#20

בְּעֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם

H5869

in your eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#21

עַד

H5704

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

#22

אֲבָדְכֶ֗ם

until ye perish

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

#23

מֵ֠עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#24

הָֽאֲדָמָ֤ה

H127

land

soil (from its general redness)

#25

הַטּוֹבָה֙

H2896

from off this 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

#26

הַזֹּ֔את

H2063

this (often used adverb)

#27

אֲשֶׁר֙

H834

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

#28

נָתַ֣ן

H5414

hath given

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

#29

לָכֶ֔ם

#30

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

that the LORD

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

#31

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃

H430

your 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

Within the broader context of Joshua, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Joshua.

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 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?
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?
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?

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