Joshua 24:7

Authorized King James Version

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And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּצְעֲק֣וּ And when they cried H6817
וַיִּצְעֲק֣וּ And when they cried
Strong's: H6817
Word #: 1 of 23
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 23
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֗ה unto the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם he put H7760
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם he put
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 4 of 23
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל darkness H3990
מַֽאֲפֵ֜ל darkness
Strong's: H3990
Word #: 5 of 23
something opaque
בֵּֽינֵיכֶ֣ם׀ H996
בֵּֽינֵיכֶ֣ם׀
Strong's: H996
Word #: 6 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּבֵ֣ין H996
וּבֵ֣ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 7 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַמִּצְרִ֗ים between you and the Egyptians H4713
הַמִּצְרִ֗ים between you and the Egyptians
Strong's: H4713
Word #: 8 of 23
a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim
וַיָּבֵ֨א and brought H935
וַיָּבֵ֨א and brought
Strong's: H935
Word #: 9 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלָ֤יו H5921
עָלָ֤יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַיָּם֙ the sea H3220
הַיָּם֙ the sea
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 12 of 23
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וַיְכַסֵּ֔הוּ upon them and covered H3680
וַיְכַסֵּ֔הוּ upon them and covered
Strong's: H3680
Word #: 13 of 23
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
וַתִּרְאֶ֙ינָה֙ have seen H7200
וַתִּרְאֶ֙ינָה֙ have seen
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 14 of 23
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם them and your eyes H5869
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם them and your eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 15 of 23
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֵ֥ת H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 17 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשִׂ֖יתִי what I have done H6213
עָשִׂ֖יתִי what I have done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 18 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם in Egypt H4714
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם in Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 19 of 23
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וַתֵּֽשְׁב֥וּ and ye dwelt H3427
וַתֵּֽשְׁב֥וּ and ye dwelt
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 20 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַמִּדְבָּ֖ר in the wilderness H4057
בַמִּדְבָּ֖ר in the wilderness
Strong's: H4057
Word #: 21 of 23
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
יָמִ֥ים season H3117
יָמִ֥ים season
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 22 of 23
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
רַבִּֽים׃ a long H7227
רַבִּֽים׃ a long
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 23 of 23
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Analysis & Commentary

When they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians (וַיִּצְעֲקוּ אֶל־יְהוָה וַיָּשֶׂם מַאֲפֵל בֵּינֵיכֶם וּבֵין הַמִּצְרִים)—the verb tza'aq (צָעַק, to cry out in distress) describes desperate prayer in crisis. God's response, placing ma'afel (מַאֲפֵל, darkness/gloom) between Israel and Egypt, recalls the pillar of cloud that gave light to Israel while darkening Egypt's side (Exodus 14:19-20). This supernatural barrier prevented Egyptian advance.

Brought the sea upon them, and covered them—the verbs bo (to bring) and kasah (כָּסָה, to cover/overwhelm) describe total annihilation. The sea covered Pharaoh's army completely—'there remained not so much as one of them' (Exodus 14:28). Your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt—Joshua's audience included those who were children during the Exodus (under age 20, thus exempt from wilderness judgment, Numbers 14:29). They were eyewitnesses to God's power, making their potential apostasy inexcusable.

Historical Context

The Red Sea deliverance (c. 1446 BC) destroyed Egypt's military might, enabling Israel's escape. The 'long season' in the wilderness refers to 40 years of wandering (1446-1406 BC) due to unbelief at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 13-14). The generation that witnessed the plagues and sea crossing died in the wilderness, except Caleb and Joshua. Joshua's audience at Shechem consisted of the next generation—those who were children during the Exodus but adults during the conquest. This eyewitness appeal ('your eyes have seen') made covenant renewal urgent.

Questions for Reflection

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