Joshua 5:1

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כִשְׁמֹ֣עַ
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#3
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
מַלְכֵ֤י
And it came to pass when all the kings
a king
#5
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֡י
of the Amorites
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
#6
אֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
בְּעֵ֨בֶר
which were on the side
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#8
הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן
of Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#9
הַיָּ֔ם
westward
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
#10
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
מַלְכֵ֤י
And it came to pass when all the kings
a king
#12
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
of the Canaanites
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
#13
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
הַיָּ֔ם
westward
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
#16
אֵ֠ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
הוֹבִ֨ישׁ
had dried up
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
#19
יְהוָ֜ה
that the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
מֵ֧י
the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#22
הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן
of Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#23
מִפְּנֵ֖י
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
#24
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#25
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#26
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#27
עָבְרָ֑נוּ
until we were passed over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#28
וַיִּמַּ֣ס
melted
to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)
#29
לְבָבָ֗ם
that their heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#30
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#31
הָ֨יָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#32
בָ֥ם
H0
#33
עוֹד֙
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#34
ר֔וּחַ
neither was there spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#35
מִפְּנֵ֖י
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
#36
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#37
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources