Joshua 5:6

Authorized King James Version

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כִּ֣י׀

H3588

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

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים

H705

forty

שָׁנָ֗ה

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָֽלְכ֣וּ

H1980

walked

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

בְנֵֽי

H1121

For 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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּמִּדְבָּר֒

H4057

in the wilderness

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

עַד

H5704

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

תֹּ֨ם

H8552

were consumed

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

#10

כָּל

H3605

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

#11

הַגּ֜וֹי

H1471

till all the people

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

#12

אַנְשֵׁ֤י

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#13

הַמִּלְחָמָה֙

H4421

of war

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#14

הַיֹּֽצְאִ֣ים

H3318

which came out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#15

מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#16

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

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

#17

לֹֽא

H3808

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

#18

שָׁמְע֖וּ

H8085

because they obeyed

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#19

בְּק֣וֹל

H6963

not the voice

a voice or sound

#20

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

#21

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

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

#22

נִשְׁבַּ֨ע

H7650

sware

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

#23

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

#24

לָהֶ֔ם

#25

לְבִלְתִּ֞י

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

#26

הַרְאוֹתָ֣ם

H7200

that he would not shew

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#27

אֶת

H853

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

#28

אֶ֛רֶץ

H776

them the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#29

אֲשֶׁר֩

H834

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

#30

נִשְׁבַּ֨ע

H7650

sware

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

#31

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

#32

לַֽאֲבוֹתָם֙

unto their fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#33

לָ֣תֶת

H5414

that he would give

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

#34

לָ֔נוּ

#35

אֶ֛רֶץ

H776

them the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#36

זָבַ֥ת

H2100

that floweth

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

#37

חָלָ֖ב

H2461

with milk

milk (as the richness of kine)

#38

וּדְבָֽשׁ׃

H1706

and honey

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this verse's literary context within Joshua chapter 5 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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