Joshua 1:18
What does Joshua 1:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Joshua 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joshua 1:18 means
The eastern tribes conclude their pledge by declaring a severe penalty—death—for anyone who rebels against Joshua's authority or disobeys his commands. This reflects the seriousness of their commitment and the gravity of the mission at hand, reinforcing Joshua's divinely appointed leadership. The final exhortation, "only be strong and of good courage," mirrors God's earlier charge to Joshua, affirming their support for his divinely mandated strength and courage in leading the nation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whoever goes against your orders, and does not give attention to all your words, will be put to death: only take heart and be strong.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Any man who doth provoke thy mouth, and doth not hear thy words, in all that thou dost command him, is put to death; only, be strong and courageous.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that shall gainsay thy mouth, and not obey all thy words, that thou shalt command him, let him die: only take thou courage, and do manfully.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Every one that is rebellious against thy commandment and hearkeneth not to thy words in everything that thou commandest us, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.
Context
This verse concludes the eastern tribes' response, following their pledge of obedience and their condition for God's presence in verse 17. It solidifies Joshua's authority by establishing clear consequences for rebellion and reinforces the chapter's overarching theme of strength and courage, before the narrative moves to the physical crossing of the Jordan.
v.17According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only Jehovah thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
v.18This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 11:12
And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
- Joshua 1:6
Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
- Ezra 10:4
Arise; for the matter belongeth unto thee, and we are with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
- Hebrews 10:28
A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:
- Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
- Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
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