Joshua 23:14

Authorized King James Version

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהִנֵּ֨ה

H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֤י

H595

הוֹלֵךְ֙

H1980

I am going

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הַיּ֔וֹם

H3117

And behold this day

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

בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ

H1870

the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

כָּל

H3605

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ

H776

of all the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֞ם

H3045

and ye know

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

בְּכָל

H3605

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

#10

לְבַבְכֶ֣ם

H3824

in all your hearts

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#11

וּבְכָל

H3605

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

#12

נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם

H5315

and in all your souls

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#13

כִּ֣י

H3588

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

#14

לֹֽא

H3808

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

#15

נָפַ֥ל

H5307

hath failed

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

#16

דָּבָ֥ר

H1697

thing

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

#17

אֶחָֽד׃

H259

that not one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#18

מִכֹּ֣ל׀

H3605

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

#19

דָּבָ֥ר

H1697

thing

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

#20

הַטּוֹבִ֗ים

H2896

of all the 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

#21

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

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

#22

דִּבֶּ֜ר

H1696

spake

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

#23

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068

which the LORD

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

#24

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙

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

#25

עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם

H5921

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

#26

הַכֹּל֙

H3605

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

#27

בָּ֣אוּ

H935

concerning you all are come to pass

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

#28

לָכֶ֔ם

#29

לֹֽא

H3808

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

#30

נָפַ֥ל

H5307

hath failed

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

#31

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#32

דָּבָ֥ר

H1697

thing

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

#33

אֶחָֽד׃

H259

that not one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

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

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 this verse's literary context within Joshua chapter 23 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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