Joshua

Joshua front

Introduction to Joshua

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Joshua

1. Conquest of the land of Canaan (1:1–12:24)
   • Preparation for conquest; spies; crossing the Jordan River (1:1–5:1)
   • Ceremonies at Gilgal; conquest of Jericho and Ai (5:2–8:29)
   • The covenant affirmed at Shechem (8:30–35)
   • Southern and central campaigns; northern campaigns (9:1–12:24)
2. Settlement in the Promised Land; division of the land (13:1–22:34)
3. Joshua’s final days (23:1–24:33)

What is the Book of Joshua about?

The Book of Joshua is about the Israelites entering and occupying the Promised Land. Joshua was the leader that replaced Moses. He led the Israelites as they fought the people living in the Promised Land. This book also tells how the Israelites divided the land among the twelve tribes. (See: Promised Land)

How should the title of this book be translated?

This book traditionally has the title “Joshua” because Joshua leads the people of Israel after Moses dies. Translators may create a title such as “The Book About When Joshua Led Israel.” Translators should avoid a title that suggests Joshua as the writer of the book.

Who wrote the Book of Joshua?

The book does not tell who wrote it. However, some verses in the book indicate that Joshua may have written at least part of it. Since ancient times, Jews have thought that Joshua wrote most of the book.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

How does the Book of Joshua present the cause of historical events?

In the ancient Near East, people assumed that gods caused world events to happen in a certain way. The Book of Joshua has some similarities with this view, but there are important differences. The events in the Book of Joshua occurred because Yahweh promised the Israelites that he would give them the Promised Land. What happened also depended on whether or not the Israelites obeyed Yahweh.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What does the phrase “to this day” mean?

This phrase was used by the writer to refer to the time when he was writing. The translator should be aware that “to this day” refers to a time already passed. He must avoid giving the impression to readers that “to this day” means “to the present day.” The translator might decide to say “to this day, at the time when this was being written,” or “to this day, at the time of writing.” This Hebrew phrase occurs in Joshua 4:9; 6:25; 7:26; 8:28, 29; 10:27; 13:13; 14:14; 15:63; 16:10.

What does the phrase “all Israel” mean?

This phrase appears many times in the Book of Joshua, but it does not always mean every person in the nation of Israel. At times it means the Israelite army. At other times it means the representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel. In still other passages, it probably means a large number of the people in the nation of Israel.

When should Joshua be translated?

The Book of Joshua should probably not be translated before Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This is because the historical events of Joshua will not be understood without the information in these previous books.

Joshua 1

Joshua 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter appears to be a natural continuation of the book of Deuteronomy.

Special concepts in this chapter

Be strong and Courageous

Joshua is often told, “Be strong and courageous.” This repeated encouragement is on purpose and may indicate Joshua will need help in the future.

Joshua 1:1

יְהוָ֑ה

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

נ֔וּן

Joshua’s father (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 1:2

עֲבֹ֜ר אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֣ן הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה

To “cross over” means “go to the opposite bank of the river.” Alternate translation: “travel from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan” (See: Idiom)

אַתָּה֙ וְ⁠כָל־הָ⁠עָ֣ם הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה

The word “you” here refers to Joshua. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 1:3

כָּל־מָק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ כַּֽף־רַגְלְ⁠כֶ֛ם בּ֖⁠וֹ לָ⁠כֶ֣ם נְתַתִּ֑י⁠ו

God giving the land to the Israelites in the future is spoken of as if he gave it to them in the past. This emphasizes that he will certainly give it to them. Alternate translation: “I will give to you every place” (See: Predictive Past)

בּ֖⁠וֹ לָ⁠כֶ֣ם נְתַתִּ֑י⁠ו

The word “you” refers to both Joshua and the nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

כָּל־מָק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ כַּֽף־רַגְלְ⁠כֶ֛ם

This refers to all the places Joshua and the Israelites will travel when they cross the Jordan River. Alternate translation: “everywhere you go in this land” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 1:4

גְּבוּלְ⁠כֶֽם

The word “your” refers to the tribes of Israel and not only Joshua. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 1:5

יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב…לְ⁠פָנֶ֔י⁠ךָ

In verse 5 the words “you” and “your” refer to Joshua. (See: Forms of You)

לֹ֥א אַרְפְּ⁠ךָ֖ וְ⁠לֹ֥א אֶעֶזְבֶֽ⁠ךָּ

The words “abandon” and “leave” mean basically the same thing. Yahweh combines them to emphasize that he will not do these things. Alternate translation: “I will certainly stay with you always” (See: Doublet and Double Negatives)

Joshua 1:6

Yahweh gives Joshua a series of commands. (See: Imperatives — Other Uses)

חֲזַ֖ק וֶ⁠אֱמָ֑ץ

Yahweh commands Joshua to overcome his fears with courage. (See: Imperatives — Other Uses)

Joshua 1:7

אַל־תָּס֥וּר מִמֶּ֖⁠נּוּ יָמִ֣ין וּ⁠שְׂמֹ֑אול

This can be stated as a positive command. Alternate translation: “Follow it exactly” or “Follow them exactly” (See: Imperatives — Other Uses)

תַּשְׂכִּ֔יל

Alternate translation: “achieve your goal” or “reach your goal”

Joshua 1:8

תַּצְלִ֥יחַ אֶת־דְּרָכֶ֖⁠ךָ וְ⁠אָ֥ז תַּשְׂכִּֽיל

These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize great prosperity. (See: Doublet)

Joshua 1:9

הֲ⁠ל֤וֹא צִוִּיתִ֨י⁠ךָ֙

This refers to Yahweh commanding Joshua. Alternate translation: “I have commanded you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

חֲזַ֣ק וֶ⁠אֱמָ֔ץ

Yahweh is commanding Joshua. (See: Imperatives — Other Uses)

Joshua 1:10

הָ⁠עָ֖ם

This refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 1:11

עִבְר֣וּ׀ בְּ⁠קֶ֣רֶב הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֗ה וְ⁠צַוּ֤וּ אֶת־הָ⁠עָם֙ לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר הָכִ֥ינוּ לָ⁠כֶ֖ם צֵידָ֑ה כִּ֞י בְּ⁠ע֣וֹד׀ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים אַתֶּם֙ עֹֽבְרִים֙ אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֣ן הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה לָ⁠בוֹא֙ לָ⁠רֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵי⁠כֶ֔ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָ⁠כֶ֖ם לְ⁠רִשְׁתָּֽ⁠הּ

Embedded quotes can be expressed as indirect quotes. Alternate translation: “Go through the camp and command the people to prepare provisions for themselves. In three days they will cross over this Jordan and go in and possess the land that Yahweh their God is giving them to possess.” (See: Quotes within Quotes)

בְּ⁠ע֣וֹד׀ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים

Here Joshua was counting his present day as day one. Alternate translation: “Two days from now” or “On the day after tomorrow”

עֹֽבְרִים֙ אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֣ן

“cross over” refers to going to the opposite side of the river. Alternate translation: “travel to the other side of the Jordan River” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 1:12

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh chose to settle east of the Jordan River. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וְ⁠לָ⁠רֽאוּבֵנִי֙

These were the descendants of Reuben. (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠לַ⁠גָּדִ֔י

These were the decendants of Gad. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 1:14

טַפְּ⁠כֶם֮

Alternate translation: “your little children”

בְּ⁠עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑ן

This refers to the east side of the Jordan River. Later most of the Israelites would live west of the Jordan, so they called the east side “beyond the Jordan.” But at this time they were all still on the east side. Alternate translation: “east of the Jordan River” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 1:15

אֲשֶׁר־יָנִ֨יחַ…לַֽ⁠אֲחֵי⁠כֶם֮

This refers to Israel defeating all their enemies residing in Canaan that they were to conquer. (See: Idiom)

וְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֞ם לְ⁠אֶ֤רֶץ יְרֻשַּׁתְ⁠כֶם֙ וִֽ⁠ירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם

This refers to living out their life on the land in peace.

בְּ⁠עֵ֥בֶר הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֖ן מִזְרַ֥ח הַ⁠שָּֽׁמֶשׁ

This refers to the east side of the Jordan river. (See: Idiom)

Joshua 1:16

These Isrelites were specifically the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh that replied to Joshua.

Joshua 1:18

יַמְרֶ֣ה אֶת־פִּ֗י⁠ךָ וְ⁠לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַ֧ע אֶת־דְּבָרֶ֛י⁠ךָ

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that any form of disobedience will be punished. (See: Parallelism)

יוּמָ֑ת

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “we will put to death” (See: Active or Passive)

חֲזַ֥ק וֶ⁠אֱמָֽץ

Israel and God considered both traits important for Joshua to pursue as their leader. (See: Parallelism)

Joshua 2

Joshua 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter begins the story of the conquest of the Promised Land. (See: Promised Land)

Special concepts in this chapter

Rahab’s faith

Rahab expressed her faith in Yahweh. The statement “for Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above and on the earth below” is a recognition of her faith. (See: faith and heaven, sky, heavens, heavenly)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

The Israelites were to completely destroy the evil Canaanites. They are compared to melting snow: “…melting away because of us.” (See: Metaphor and evil, wicked, unpleasant)

Joshua 2:1

נ֠וּן

This is Joshua’s father. (See: How to Translate Names)

הַ⁠שִּׁטִּ֞ים

This is the name of a place on the east side of the Jordan River. It means “Acacia Trees.” (See: How to Translate Names)

מְרַגְּלִים֙

These men were to visit the land to gain information on how Israel should conquer the land.

Joshua 2:4

Rahab the prostitute protects the two Israelite spies from harm.

וַ⁠תִּקַּ֧ח הָֽ⁠אִשָּׁ֛ה אֶת־שְׁנֵ֥י הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֖ים וַֽ⁠תִּצְפְּנ֑⁠וֹ

This happened before the king’s messenger spoke to her.

הָֽ⁠אִשָּׁ֛ה

This refers to Rahab, the prostitute.

Joshua 2:5

בַּ⁠חֹ֨שֶׁךְ֙

This is the time that day begins to change to the darkness of night.

Joshua 2:6

וְ⁠הִ֖יא הֶעֱלָ֣תַ⁠ם הַ⁠גָּ֑גָ⁠ה וַֽ⁠תִּטְמְנֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠פִשְׁתֵּ֣י הָ⁠עֵ֔ץ הָ⁠עֲרֻכ֥וֹת לָ֖⁠הּ עַל־הַ⁠גָּֽג

This is background information and explains how she had hidden the men in Joshua 2:4. (See: Background Information)

הַ⁠גָּ֑גָ⁠ה

The roof was flat and strong, so people could walk around on it.

בְּ⁠פִשְׁתֵּ֣י

a plant that is grown for its fibers, which is used in making cloth

Joshua 2:7

וְ⁠הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֗ים רָדְפ֤וּ אַֽחֲרֵי⁠הֶם֙

The men pursued the spies because of what Rahab had told them in Joshua 2:5.

הַֽ⁠מַּעְבְּר֑וֹת

places where a river or other body of water is shallow enough for people to get to the other side by walking through it

Joshua 2:8

טֶ֣רֶם יִשְׁכָּב֑וּ⁠ן

This refers to going to sleep for the night. (See: Idiom)

Joshua 2:9

יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה לָ⁠כֶ֖ם אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ

The word “you” refers to the all the Israelite people. (See: Forms of You)

נָפְלָ֤ה אֵֽימַתְ⁠כֶם֙ עָלֵ֔י⁠נוּ

Becoming afraid is spoken of as if feat came and attacked them. Alternate translation: “we have become afraid of you” (See: Metaphor)

נָמֹ֛גוּ…מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠כֶֽם

This compares the fearful people to ice melting and flowing away. Possible meanings are 1) they will be weak in the Israelites’ presence or 2) they will be scattered. Alternate translation: “will be so afraid that they will not resist you” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 2:10

יַם־סוּף֙

This is another name for the Red Sea.

לְ⁠סִיחֹ֣ן וּ⁠לְ⁠ע֔וֹג

These are the names of the Amorite kings. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 2:11

וַ⁠יִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבֵ֔⁠נוּ וְ⁠לֹא־קָ֨מָה ע֥וֹד ר֛וּחַ בְּ⁠אִ֖ישׁ

These two phrases share similar meanings, combined for emphasis. The phrase “our hearts melted” compares the hearts of the fearful people of Jericho to ice melting and flowing away. (See: Doublet and Metaphor)

Joshua 2:12

הִשָּֽׁבְעוּ־נָ֥א לִ⁠י֙…וּ⁠נְתַתֶּ֥ם לִ֖⁠י א֥וֹת אֱמֶֽת

These are similar statements of Rahab seeking assurance from the spies. (See: Parallelism)

עָשִׂ֥יתִי עִמָּ⁠כֶ֖ם חָ֑סֶד

The word “you” refers to the two spies. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 2:13

וְ⁠הַחֲיִתֶ֞ם אֶת־…וְ⁠הִצַּלְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵ֖י⁠נוּ מִ⁠מָּֽוֶת

a polite way of saying “do not to kill us” (See: Euphemism)

Joshua 2:14

The Israelite spies make the promise which Rahab asked for in Joshua 2:12

נַפְשֵׁ֤⁠נוּ תַחְתֵּי⁠כֶם֙ לָ⁠מ֔וּת

This idiom is a way of swearing and asking God to curse them if they do not keep their promise. Alternate translation: “If we do not do what we promise, may Yahweh cause us to die” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 2:15

The Israelite spies continue to talk to Rahab.

Joshua 2:17

This expresses a condition for the promise the spies had made to Rahab. The word, “this,” refers to “tie this scarlet rope in the window” in Joshua 2:18. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Joshua 2:18

The Israelite spies continue talking to Rahab.

The Israelite spies clarify the condition they expressed in Joshua 2:15.

Joshua 2:19

כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא֩ מִ⁠דַּלְתֵ֨י

This phrase expresses a condition, creating a hypothetical situation. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

דָּמ֥⁠וֹ בְ⁠רֹאשׁ֖⁠וֹ

Here “blood” represents a person’s death. To be responsible for their own death is spoken of as if their blood would be on their heads. Alternate translation: “their death will be their own fault” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

וַ⁠אֲנַ֣חְנוּ נְקִיִּ֑ם

Alternate translation: “we will be innocent”

אִם־יָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶה־בּֽ⁠וֹ

Here “a hand is laid upon” is a polite way of referring to causing someone injury. Alternate translation: “if we cause injury to any” (See: Euphemism)

Joshua 2:20

The two Israelite spies continue to speak to Rahab about their promise to her. The spies required Rahab to remain silent about their visit or they would be free from their oath to protect her family.

וְ⁠אִם־תַּגִּ֖ידִי

“You” refers to Rahab. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 2:21

כְּ⁠דִבְרֵי⁠כֶ֣ם כֶּן

Rahab agreed to their terms of the oath to protect her family.

Joshua 2:22

The two Israelites spies leave Jericho.

שָׁ֖בוּ הָ⁠רֹדְפִ֑ים

It may be helpful to say they returned to Jericho. Alternate translation: “their pursuers returned to the city of Jericho” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וְ⁠לֹ֥א מָצָֽאוּ

This refers to the men not finding the spies.

Joshua 2:23

וַ⁠יָּשֻׁ֜בוּ שְׁנֵ֤י הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁים֙

The two men returned back to the Israelite’s camp. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וַ⁠יָּשֻׁ֜בוּ…וַ⁠יֵּרְד֣וּ…וַ⁠יַּעַבְרוּ֙ וַ⁠יָּבֹ֔אוּ

These are similar expressions referring to returning to where the Israelite’s are camped. (See: Doublet)

וַ⁠יַּעַבְרוּ֙

“cross over” means to go to the opposite bank of the river. Alternate translation: “traveled from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan” (See: Idiom)

נ֑וּן

This is a male name; the father of Joshua. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַ⁠מֹּצְא֖וֹת אוֹתָֽ⁠ם

Alternate translation: “all that the men had experienced and seen.”

Joshua 2:24

בְּ⁠יָדֵ֖⁠נוּ

This word, “us,” refers to Israel.

יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ

The people of the land toward Israel are like a substance that melts in the presence of heat. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 3

Joshua 3 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

God dries the Jordan River

Joshua told the people “Dedicate yourselves to Yahweh tomorrow, for Yahweh will do wonders among you.” The conquest of the Promised Land is accomplished through the supernatural power of God. (See: miracle, wonder, sign and Promised Land)

Joshua 3:1

וַ⁠יַּשְׁכֵּם֩

The phrase, “got up,” means to “awaken.”

מֵֽ⁠הַ⁠שִּׁטִּ֗ים

A place in the land of Moab, west of the Jordan River where the Israelites were camped before their entry into the promised land, Canaan.

Joshua 3:2

הַ⁠שֹּׁטְרִ֖ים

These are people holding a position of command or authority.

Joshua 3:3

אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֣ם

This is the nation of Israel. (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 3:4

כְּ⁠אַלְפַּ֥יִם אַמָּ֖ה

“2,000 cubits.” The word “cubit” is a measurement equaling the distance from the elbow to the finger tips. (See: Biblical Distance and Numbers)

Joshua 3:5

הִתְקַדָּ֑שׁוּ

This refers to a special preparation of being religiously clean before Yahweh.

יַעֲשֶׂ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה בְּ⁠קִרְבְּ⁠כֶ֖ם נִפְלָאֽוֹת

Yahweh will be doing miracles for all to see and experience.

Joshua 3:6

שְׂאוּ֙ אֶת־אֲר֣וֹן

This is referring to the levites picking up the ark for the purpose of carrying it from one location to another.

Joshua 3:7

Yahweh tells Joshua what the priest are to do.

אָחֵל֙ גַּדֶּלְ⁠ךָ֔ בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֖י כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “the people will see what I do and realize that I have made you a great man” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 3:8

קְצֵה֙ מֵ֣י הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן

Joshua is to approach the bank or edge of the Jordan River.

Joshua 3:9

Joshua tells Israel what Yahweh is about to do

Joshua 3:10

וְ⁠הוֹרֵ֣שׁ יוֹרִ֣ישׁ מִ֠⁠פְּנֵי⁠כֶם

Yahweh will force the other people living on the land to leave or be killed. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 3:11

עֹבֵ֥ר

“cross over” means to go to the opposite bank of the river. Alternate translation: “will travel from this side to the opposite side” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 3:12

Just as Israel’s fathers experience crossing the Red Sea, these people will experience crossing the Jordan river on dry land.

Joshua 3:13

כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵ֣י

This refers to the bottom of their feet.

מִ⁠לְ⁠מָ֑עְלָ⁠ה

This word refers to the direction the Jordan River water is flowing toward Israel.

וְ⁠יַעַמְד֖וּ נֵ֥ד אֶחָֽד

The water will stay in one spot or place. It will not flow around the priests.

Joshua 3:15

בִּ⁠קְצֵ֣ה הַ⁠מָּ֑יִם

This can refer to the surface of the water as well as the bank where the water flows to dry land. (See: Synecdoche)

וְ⁠הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֗ן מָלֵא֙ עַל־כָּל־גְּדוֹתָ֔י⁠ו כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י קָצִֽיר

This is background information and it emphasizes the scale of what Yahweh is doing. (See: Background Information)

Joshua 3:17

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֖ן

This refers to the Jordan River bed. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

עֹֽבְרִים֙

This phrase means to go to the opposite bank of the river. Alternate translation: “traveled from this side to the opposite side” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 4

Joshua 4 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

God’s war

The conquering of the Promised Land was a special war. It was God’s war against the people of Canaan and Joshua recognized that they would only be victorious through Yahweh’s power. This is why their first act after crossing the Jordan River was to build an altar. This war was a witness to Yahweh’s power. (See: Promised Land)

Joshua 4:1

Though Yahweh was speaking directly to Joshua, all occurrences of you include Israel. (See: Pronouns)

לַ⁠עֲב֖וֹר

The words “crossed over” refer to going to the opposite bank of the river. Alternate translation: “went across” (See: Idiom)

אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑ן

the Jordan River (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 4:3

וְ⁠צַוּ֣וּ אוֹתָ⁠ם֮ לֵ⁠אמֹר֒ שְׂאֽוּ־לָ⁠כֶ֨ם מִ⁠זֶּ֜ה מִ⁠תּ֣וֹךְ הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֗ן מִ⁠מַּצַּב֙ רַגְלֵ֣י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֔ים הָכִ֖ין שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה אֲבָנִ֑ים וְ⁠הַעֲבַרְתֶּ֤ם אוֹתָ⁠ם֙ עִמָּ⁠כֶ֔ם וְ⁠הִנַּחְתֶּ֣ם אוֹתָ֔⁠ם בַּ⁠מָּל֕וֹן אֲשֶׁר־תָּלִ֥ינוּ ב֖⁠וֹ הַ⁠לָּֽיְלָה

The nested quote can be stated as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “Give them this command to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing on the dry ground, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you will spend the night tonight” (See: Quotes within Quotes and Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Joshua 4:4

Joshua tells the twelve men what to do.

Joshua 4:5

אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְ⁠הָרִ֨ימוּ לָ⁠כֶ֜ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶ֤בֶן אַחַת֙ עַל־שִׁכְמ֔⁠וֹ

Each of the twelve men were to pick up a large stone from the Jordan River bed and carry them to the other side to build a monument. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 4:6

Joshua tells Israel what the pile of twelve stones mean.

Joshua 4:7

נִכְרְת֜וּ מֵימֵ֤י הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֙ מִ⁠פְּנֵי֙ אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית־יְהוָ֔ה

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh cut off the waters of the Jordan in front of the ark of his covenant” (See: Active or Passive)

נִכְרְת֜וּ מֵימֵ֤י הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֙

Alternate translation: “The Jordan River was”

נִכְרְת֜וּ…מִ⁠פְּנֵי֙ אֲר֣וֹן

The Jordan River was prevented by God from flowing up to the ark that was being carried by the priests.

נִכְרְת֜וּ מֵימֵ֤י הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֙

The water flowing down the Jordan River stopped before the ark so everyone including the ark traveled on the dry river bed.

Joshua 4:8

Joshua and Israel continue to do as Yahweh commanded.

וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֡וּ שְׁתֵּֽי־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה אֲבָנִ֜ים מִ⁠תּ֣וֹךְ הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֗ן

This refers to the twelve men picking up stones from the middle of the Jordan River bed. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 4:9

וּ⁠שְׁתֵּ֧ים עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה אֲבָנִ֗ים הֵקִ֣ים יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮ בְּ⁠ת֣וֹךְ הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֒

These were twelve additional stones, not the stones that the twelve men carried from the river bed. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וַ⁠יִּ֣הְיוּ שָׁ֔ם עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

This means the memorial was there to the day that the author was writing this book.

Joshua 4:10

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֒

This refers to the Jordan River.

הָ⁠עָ֖ם

This refers to the nation of Israel. (See: Metonymy)

וַֽ⁠יַּעֲבֹֽרוּ

This means to go to the opposite bank of the river. Alternate translation: “traveled from one side to the opposite side” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 4:11

לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י הָ⁠עָֽם

This refers to being in front of the people or in the sight of all the people. Everyone saw the ark being carried by the priests. (See: Idiom)

Joshua 4:12

וַ֠⁠יַּעַבְרוּ בְּנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֨ן וּ⁠בְנֵי־גָ֜ד וַ⁠חֲצִ֨י שֵׁ֤בֶט הַֽ⁠מְנַשֶּׁה֙ חֲמֻשִׁ֔ים לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

These were the soldiers of the 3 tribes that were fulfilling their obligation to lead the Israelites into battle for settling on the East side of the Jordan River. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 4:14

כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֛ר יָרְא֥וּ

The word “they” refers to the people of Israel.

Joshua 4:15

Yahweh tells Joshua to have the priests exit the Jordan River.

Joshua 4:17

The Author was making it clear that parting the Jordan River was no different than parting the Red Sea for the previous generation.

Joshua 4:18

וַ⁠יָּשֻׁ֤בוּ מֵֽי־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֙ לִ⁠מְקוֹמָ֔⁠ם וַ⁠יֵּלְכ֥וּ כִ⁠תְמוֹל־שִׁלְשׁ֖וֹם עַל־כָּל־גְּדוֹתָֽי⁠ו

The Jordan River was overflowing its banks and flooding the area before and after Israel passed through on dry land.

Joshua 4:19

עָלוּ֙ מִן־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן

This refers to when Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.

בֶּ⁠עָשׂ֖וֹר לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָ⁠רִאשׁ֑וֹן

This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of March on Western calendars. (See: Hebrew Months and Ordinal Numbers)

Joshua 4:20

וְ⁠אֵת֩ שְׁתֵּ֨ים עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה הָֽ⁠אֲבָנִים֙ הָ⁠אֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָקְח֖וּ מִן־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑ן

Each tribe was to take one stone from the Jordan River so Joshua could build a memorial of the crossing event. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 4:22

וְ⁠הוֹדַעְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־בְּנֵי⁠כֶ֣ם

It was for Israel to teach their children of God’s miracles so that they would honor Yahweh forever.

Joshua 4:24

אֶת־יַ֣ד יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֥י חֲזָקָ֖ה הִ֑יא

This refers to the power of Yahweh being strong. Alternate translation: “Yahweh is mighty” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 5

Joshua 5 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Circumcision

It would have been very unusual to be circumcised in a time of war. When men are circumcised they are unable to move without pain or to defend themselves in battle for several days. (See: circumcise, circumcised, circumcision, uncircumcised, uncircumcision)

Manna

Yahweh stops providing manna in this chapter and will no longer provide them with their daily allotment of food. This does not mean Yahweh’s care and provision will stop.

Joshua 5:1

וַ⁠יִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבָ֗⁠ם וְ⁠לֹא־הָ֨יָה בָ֥⁠ם עוֹד֙ ר֔וּחַ

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of their fear. (See: Parallelism)

וַ⁠יִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבָ֗⁠ם

Here “hearts” refers to their courage. They were so afraid that it was as if their courage melted away like wax in a fire. Alternate translation: “they lost all their courage” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

וְ⁠לֹא־הָ֨יָה בָ֥⁠ם עוֹד֙ ר֔וּחַ

Here “spirit” refers to their will to fight. Alternate translation: “they no longer had any will to fight” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 5:3

וַ⁠יַּעַשׂ־ל֥⁠וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ חַֽרְב֣וֹת צֻרִ֑ים וַ⁠יָּ֨מָל֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י

There were over 600,000 males, so it is understood that while Joshua was in charge of this task, many other people helped him. If this would confuse your readers, you may want to make this explicit. Alternate translation: “Joshua and the Israelites made themselves flint knives … they circumcised all the males” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

גִּבְעַ֖ת הָ⁠עֲרָלֽוֹת

This is a place name which commemorates Israel rededicating themselves to Yahweh. It means “the hill of the foreskins.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 5:4

The reason all the males of Israel had to be circumcised is explained.

אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֗ה

the men who were old enough to be soldiers

Joshua 5:6

שָׁמְע֖וּ בְּ⁠ק֣וֹל יְהוָ֑ה

Here “voice” refers to the things that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “obey the things that Yahweh commanded them” (See: Metonymy)

אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּ⁠דְבָֽשׁ

God spoke of the land being good for animals and plants as if the milk and honey from those animals and plants were flowing through the land. Alternate translation: “a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Joshua 5:9

הַ⁠יּ֗וֹם גַּלּ֛וֹתִי אֶת־חֶרְפַּ֥ת מִצְרַ֖יִם מֵ⁠עֲלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

Their disgrace is spoken of as if it were a large stone that blocked their path. Here “rolled away” means “removed.” Alternate translation: “This day I have removed the disgrace of Egypt from you” or “You were disgraced when you were slaves in Egypt. But, today I have caused you to no longer be disgraced” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 5:10

בְּ⁠אַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֥וֹם לַ⁠חֹ֛דֶשׁ

This is near the end of March on Western calendars. Alternate translation: “the fourteenth day of the first month” (See: Hebrew Months and Ordinal Numbers and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 5:13

וַ⁠יִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָי⁠ו֙ וַ⁠יַּ֔רְא וְ⁠הִנֵּה־אִישׁ֙ עֹמֵ֣ד

Here looking up is spoken of as if Joshua literally lifted his eyes in his hands. Alternate translation: “he looked up and saw that a man was standing” (See: Metaphor)

וְ⁠הִנֵּה

The word “behold” alerts us to pay special attention to new information. Your language may have a way of doing this.

וְ⁠חַרְבּ֥⁠וֹ שְׁלוּפָ֖ה בְּ⁠יָד֑⁠וֹ

Here the words “he” and “his” refer to the man who was standing in front of Joshua.

Joshua 5:14

וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר

The word “he” refers to the man Joshua saw.

לֹ֗א

This is the beginning of the man’s answer to Joshua’s question, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” This short answer could be clarified. Alternate translation: “I am neither for you nor for your enemies”

וַ⁠יִּפֹּל֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ אֶל־פָּנָ֥י⁠ו אַ֨רְצָ⁠ה֙ וַ⁠יִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ

This was an act of worship. (See: Symbolic Action)

Joshua 5:15

שַׁל־נַֽעַלְ⁠ךָ֙ מֵ⁠עַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֔⁠ךָ

This was an act of reverence. (See: Symbolic Action)

Joshua 6

Joshua 6 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh conquers

It was God, not the army, who gave them victory. It is said, “Shout! For Yahweh has given you the city.” The circumstances of Israel’s victory in the battle for Jericho were very unusual. It was never common to march around a city or to shout in order to win a military battle. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 6:1

וִֽ⁠ירִיחוֹ֙

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells us why the gates of Jericho are closed and locked up.

Joshua 6:2

נָתַ֣תִּי בְ⁠יָֽדְ⁠ךָ֔ אֶת־יְרִיח֖וֹ וְ⁠אֶת־מַלְכָּ֑⁠הּ גִּבּוֹרֵ֖י הֶ⁠חָֽיִל

Yahweh is telling Joshua that he will certainly do this by saying that he has already done it. (See: Predictive Past)

בְ⁠יָֽדְ⁠ךָ֔

The word “hand” is a metonym for the control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “so that you can control it” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 6:3

God continues telling Joshua what the people must do.

כֹּ֥ה תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים

Alternate translation: “You must do this once each day for six days”

Joshua 6:4

וְ⁠שִׁבְעָ֣ה כֹהֲנִ֡ים יִשְׂאוּ֩ שִׁבְעָ֨ה שׁוֹפְר֤וֹת הַ⁠יּֽוֹבְלִים֙ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י הָ⁠אָר֔וֹן

The seven priests are to march in front of other priests who are carrying the ark and marching around the city.

Joshua 6:5

God continues telling Joshua what the people must do.

בִּ⁠מְשֹׁ֣ךְ׀ בְּ⁠קֶ֣רֶן הַ⁠יּוֹבֵ֗ל

The word “they” refers to the seven priests. The “ram’s horn” and “trumpet” refer to the trumpets of rams’ horns that the priests were blowing in Joshua 6:4.

חוֹמַ֤ת הָ⁠עִיר֙

Alternate translation: “the outer wall of the city” or “the wall surrounding the city”

Joshua 6:6

נוּן֙

This is Joshua’s father. (See: How to Translate Names)

שְׂא֖וּ אֶת־אֲר֣וֹן הַ⁠בְּרִ֑ית

Alternate translation: “Pick up the ark of the covenant”

Joshua 6:8

לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה

Possible meanings are 1) “in obedience to Yahweh” or 2) “in front of Yahweh’s ark” (See: Metonymy)

וְ⁠תָקְע֖וּ בַּ⁠שּֽׁוֹפָר֑וֹת

Alternate translation: “they sounded the trumpets loudly” or “the priests blew into the ram’s horn trumpets”

וַֽ⁠אֲרוֹן֙ בְּרִ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה הֹלֵ֖ךְ אַחֲרֵי⁠הֶֽם

It can be stated clearly that there were people carrying the ark. Alternate translation: “The priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh followed after them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 6:10

וְ⁠לֹֽא־תַשְׁמִ֣יעוּ אֶת־קוֹלְ⁠כֶ֔ם וְ⁠לֹא־יֵצֵ֥א מִ⁠פִּי⁠כֶ֖ם דָּבָ֑ר

Sound leaving someone’s mouth refers to that person’s speaking or shouting. Alternate translation: “Do not yell or speak” (See: Metonymy)

וְ⁠אֶת־הָ⁠עָם֩ צִוָּ֨ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ

Joshua had commanded the people before they started walking around the city. Alternate translation: “Joshua had commanded the people” (See: Order of Events)

Joshua 6:13

וְ⁠שִׁבְעָ֣ה הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֡ים…שִׁבְעָ֨ה שׁוֹפְר֜וֹת

“7 priests…7 trumpets” (See: Numbers)

וְ⁠תָקְע֖וּ בַּ⁠שּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת

This means that they blew into their trumpets, causing them to make loud noises, multiple times. Alternate translation: “continually sounded the trumpets loudly” or “blew into the ram’s horn trumpets continually”

Joshua 6:14

בַּ⁠יּ֤וֹם הַ⁠שֵּׁנִי֙

the next day (See: Ordinal Numbers)

כֹּ֥ה עָשׂ֖וּ

Israel marched around Jericho once every day.

שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים

“6 days” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 6:16

הָ⁠עָם֙

This refers to the people of Israel.

תָּקְע֥וּ…בַּ⁠שּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת

Alternate translation: “sounded the trumpets loudly” or “blew into the ram’s horn trumpets”

נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה לָ⁠כֶ֖ם

Joshua is saying that Yahweh will definitely give them the city by saying that he has already given it to them. (See: Predictive Past)

נָתַ֧ן…לָ⁠כֶ֖ם

The word “you” refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 6:17

Joshua continues speaking to the people of Israel.

וְ⁠הָיְתָ֨ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר חֵ֛רֶם הִ֥יא וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖⁠הּ לַֽ⁠יהוָ֑ה

This can be stated with an active form. Alternate translation: “You must set apart to Yahweh the city and all that is in it for destruction” or “You must set apart to Yahweh the city and all that is in it by destroying it” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 6:18

שִׁמְר֣וּ מִן־הַ⁠חֵ֔רֶם

Being careful is spoken of as if they are to guard themselves. “Be careful that you do not take the things” (See: Metaphor)

וַ⁠עֲכַרְתֶּ֖ם אוֹתֽ⁠וֹ

Doing something that makes bad things to happen to the city is spoken of as bringing trouble on it. Alternate translation: “you will cause bad things to happen to it” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 6:19

אוֹצַ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה

a collection of things set apart for the worship of Yahweh

Joshua 6:20

וַ⁠יָּרִ֤יעוּ הָ⁠עָם֙ תְּרוּעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה

Alternate translation: “the people of Israel shouted”

וַֽ⁠יִּתְקְע֖וּ בַּ⁠שֹּֽׁפָר֑וֹת

Alternate translation: “sounded the trumpets loudly” or “blew into the ram’s horn trumpets”

Joshua 6:24

וְ⁠הָ⁠עִ֛יר שָׂרְפ֥וּ

The word “they” refers to the Israelite soldiers. It does not refer only to the two young men who brought Rahab and her family out of the city.

Joshua 6:25

וַ⁠תֵּ֨שֶׁב֙ בְּ⁠קֶ֣רֶב יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

The word “She” refers to Rahab and represents her descendants. Alternate translation: “Her descendants live in Israel” (See: Metonymy)

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה

“now” or “even today.” Rahab’s descendants are still living in Israel as the original writer writes this story.

Joshua 6:26

אָר֨וּר הָ⁠אִ֜ישׁ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָקוּם֙ וּ⁠בָנָ֞ה

Being cursed in Yahweh’s sight represents being cursed by Yahweh. Alternate translation: “May Yahweh curse the man who rebuilds” (See: Metaphor)

בִּ⁠בְכֹר֣⁠וֹ יְיַסְּדֶ֔⁠נָּה

The consequence of a man laying a new foundation for Jericho is that his firstborn son would die. This is spoken of as if it were a cost that the man would pay. Alternate translation: “If he lays the foundation, he will lose his firstborn son” or “If he lays the foundation, his firstborn son will die” (See: Metaphor)

וּ⁠בִ⁠צְעִיר֖⁠וֹ יַצִּ֥יב דְּלָתֶֽי⁠הָ

The consequence of a man setting up new gates for Jericho is that his youngest son would die. This is spoken of as if it were a cost that the man would pay. Alternate translation: “If he sets up its gates, he will lose his youngest son” or “If he sets up it gates, his youngest son will die” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 6:27

וַ⁠יְהִ֥י שָׁמְע֖⁠וֹ בְּ⁠כָל־הָ⁠אָֽרֶץ

This refers to Joshua’s fame, not Yahweh’s. Becoming known among the people throughout the land is spoken of as if his fame spread. Alternate translation: “Joshua became famous throughout the land” or “people throughout the land learned about Joshua” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 7

Joshua 7 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Sin brought defeat

It was great sin to take what was to be destroyed. Because of their sin, Yahweh withheld victory from the Israelites. Sin resulted in defeat in battle. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Joshua 7:1

בַּ⁠חֵ֑רֶם

Alternate translation: “the things that God had said they must set apart to him by destroying them”

עָכָ֣ן…כַּרְמִי֩…זַבְדִּ֨י…זֶ֜רַח

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה

“anger” and “burned” indicates intensity, not that fire is present. Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s anger burned like a fire” or “Yahweh was very angry” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 7:3

כָּל־הָ⁠עָם֒

This refers to the army of Israel.

מְעַ֖ט הֵֽמָּה

The word “they” refers to the people of Ai.

Joshua 7:4

וַ⁠יַּעֲל֤וּ מִן־הָ⁠עָם֙ שָׁ֔מָּ⁠ה כִּ⁠שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ

These men were part of the army. Alternate translation: “three thousand men belonging to the army went up”

כִּ⁠שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ

“3,000 men” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 7:5

כִּ⁠שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וְ⁠שִׁשָּׁה֙ אִ֔ישׁ

“36 men” (See: Numbers)

וַ⁠יִּמַּ֥ס לְבַב־הָ⁠עָ֖ם וַ⁠יְהִ֥י לְ⁠מָֽיִם

These phrases “melted” and “became like water” share similar meanings and are combined to emphasize that the people were extremely afraid. (See: Parallelism)

וַ⁠יִּמַּ֥ס לְבַב־הָ⁠עָ֖ם

Here the people are represented by their “hearts” to emphasize their emotions. Alternate translation: “The people were very afraid” (See: Synecdoche)

לְבַב־הָ⁠עָ֖ם

The phrase “the people” refers to the Israelite soldiers.

Joshua 7:6

וַ⁠יִּקְרַ֨ע יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ שִׂמְלֹתָ֗י⁠ו וַ⁠יִּפֹּל֩ עַל־פָּנָ֨י⁠ו אַ֜רְצָ⁠ה לִ⁠פְנֵ֨י אֲר֤וֹן יְהוָה֙

They did these things to show God how sad and distressed they were. (See: Symbolic Action)

Joshua 7:7

לָ֠⁠מָה הֵעֲבַ֨רְתָּ הַעֲבִ֜יר אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֤ם הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָ⁠תֵ֥ת אֹתָ֛⁠נוּ בְּ⁠יַ֥ד הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֖י לְ⁠הַאֲבִידֵ֑⁠נוּ

Joshua was asking if this is the reason God had brought them across the Jordan. Alternate translation: “Did you do it in order to give us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?” (See: Ellipsis)

בְּ⁠יַ֥ד הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֖י

The hands of the Amorites represents their control and power. Giving the Israelites into their hands to destroy them represents allowing the Amorites to have control of the Israelites and destroy them. Alternate translation: “To allow the Amorites to destroy us? (See: Metonymy)

וְ⁠לוּ֙ הוֹאַ֣לְנוּ

The words “If only” show that this is a wish for something that had not happened. Alternate translation: “I wish we had made a different decision”

Joshua 7:8

Joshua expresses frustration to God.

בִּ֖י אֲדֹנָ֑⁠י מָ֣ה אֹמַ֔ר אַ֠חֲרֵי אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָפַ֧ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עֹ֖רֶף לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י אֹיְבָֽי⁠ו

Joshua said this to show how upset he was that he did not even know what to say. Alternate translation: “I do not know what to say. Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

הָפַ֧ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עֹ֖רֶף לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י אֹיְבָֽי⁠ו

Doing this represents running away from their enemies. Alternate translation: “Israel has run away from their enemies” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 7:9

וְ⁠נָסַ֣בּוּ עָלֵ֔י⁠נוּ וְ⁠הִכְרִ֥יתוּ אֶת־שְׁמֵ֖⁠נוּ מִן־הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ

Making people forget the name of the Israelites represents making them forget the Israelites. In this case they would do it by killing the Israelites. Alternate translation: “They will surround us and kill us, and the people of the earth will forget about us” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

לְ⁠שִׁמְ⁠ךָ֥ הַ⁠גָּדֽוֹל

The phrase “your great name” here represents God’s reputation and power. Alternate translation: “And so what will you do so that people will know that you are great” (See: Metonymy)

וּ⁠מַֽה־תַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה לְ⁠שִׁמְ⁠ךָ֥ הַ⁠גָּדֽוֹל

Joshua uses this question to warn God that if the Israelites are destroyed, then the other people will think that God is not great. Alternate translation: “Then there will be nothing you can do for your great name.” or “Then people will not know that you are great.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 7:10

Yahweh tells Joshua why Israel is cursed.

לָ֑⁠ךְ לָ֣⁠מָּה זֶּ֔ה אַתָּ֖ה נֹפֵ֥ל עַל־פָּנֶֽי⁠ךָ

God used this question to rebuke Joshua for lying there on his face. Alternate translation: “Stop lying there with your face in the dirt!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Joshua 7:11

הַ⁠חֵ֔רֶם

These are the things “marked for destruction” from Joshua 6:18-19. Alternate translation: “the cursed things” or “those things which God has cursed”

גָּֽנְבוּ֙ וְ⁠גַ֣ם כִּֽחֲשׁ֔וּ

Hiding their sin represents trying to keep others from knowing that they have sinned. Alternate translation: “They have stolen those things, and then they tried to keep people from knowing that they sinned” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 7:12

וְ⁠לֹ֨א יֻכְל֜וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לָ⁠קוּם֙ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֵי⁠הֶ֔ם

Standing before their enemies represents fighting successfully against their enemies. Alternate translation: “cannot fight successfully against their enemies” or “cannot defeat their enemies” (See: Metonymy)

עֹ֗רֶף יִפְנוּ֙ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י אֹֽיְבֵי⁠הֶ֔ם

Doing this represents running away from their enemies. Alternate translation: “They ran away from their enemies” (See: Metonymy)

לֹ֤א אוֹסִיף֙ לִֽ⁠הְי֣וֹת עִמָּ⁠כֶ֔ם

Being with Israel represents helping Israel. Alternate translation: “I will not help you any more” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 7:13

Yahweh continues speaking to Joshua and tells him what to tell the people.

אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֔ם

This refers to the people of Israel.

לֹ֣א תוּכַ֗ל לָ⁠קוּם֙ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֶ֔י⁠ךָ

Standing before their enemies represents fighting successfully against them. Alternate translation: “You cannot fight successfully against your enemies” or “You cannot defeat your enemies” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 7:14

Yahweh continues telling Joshua what he must tell the people.

וְ⁠נִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם בַּ⁠בֹּ֖קֶר לְ⁠שִׁבְטֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

There were twelve tribes that made up the people of Israel. The phrase “by your tribes” means “each tribe.” Alternate translation: “each of your tribes must present themselves to Yahweh” (See: Idiom)

הַ⁠שֵּׁבֶט֩ אֲשֶׁר־יִלְכְּדֶ֨⁠נּוּ יְהוָ֜ה יִקְרַ֣ב לַ⁠מִּשְׁפָּח֗וֹת

The tribe was made up of multiple clans. Alternate translation: “From the tribe that Yahweh selects, each clan will come near” (See: Idiom)

הַ⁠שֵּׁבֶט֩ אֲשֶׁר־יִלְכְּדֶ֨⁠נּוּ יְהוָ֜ה

The leaders of Israel would toss lots, and by doing this, they would learn which tribe Yahweh had selected. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “The tribe that Yahweh selects by lot” or “The tribe that Yahweh selects when we toss lots”

וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּשְׁפָּחָ֞ה אֲשֶֽׁר־יִלְכְּדֶ֤⁠נָּה יְהוָה֙ תִּקְרַ֣ב לַ⁠בָּתִּ֔ים

The clan was made up of multiple households. Alternate translation: “From the clan that Yahweh selects, each household must come near” (See: Idiom)

וְ⁠הַ⁠בַּ֨יִת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִלְכְּדֶ֣⁠נּוּ יְהוָ֔ה יִקְרַ֖ב לַ⁠גְּבָרִֽים

The household was made up of multiple people. Alternate translation: “From the household that Yahweh selects, each person must come near” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 7:15

הַ⁠נִּלְכָּ֣ד

This can be stated with an active form. Alternate translation: “the one whom Yahweh selects” (See: Active or Passive)

עָבַר֙ אֶת־בְּרִ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה

Breaking the covenant represents disobeying it. Alternate translation: “he has disobeyed the covenant of Yahweh” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 7:16

Joshua follows Yahweh’s command to bring Israel before Yahweh.

וַ⁠יַּקְרֵ֥ב אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִ⁠שְׁבָטָ֑י⁠ו

The phrase “tribe by tribe” means each tribe. Alternate translation: “brought each tribe of Israel near” (See: Idiom)

וַ⁠יִּלָּכֵ֖ד שֵׁ֥בֶט יְהוּדָֽה

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh selected the tribe of Judah” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 7:17

וַ⁠יַּקְרֵ֞ב אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת הַ⁠זַּרְחִי֙ לַ⁠גְּבָרִ֔ים

The phrase “person by person” is an idiom meaning each person. The persons in this sentence were the leaders of their households. Alternate translation: “He brought near each person of the clan of the Zerahites” or “From the clan of the Zerahites, he brought near each man who was the leader of his household” (See: Idiom and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת הַ⁠זַּרְחִי֙

The clan was named after the man named Zerah.

זַבְדִּֽי

This is a man’s name. Translate as you did in Joshua 7:1. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 7:18

עָכָ֞ן…כַּרְמִ֧י…זַבְדִּ֛י…זֶ֖רַח

These are men’s names. Translate them as you did in Joshua 7:1. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 7:19

וְ⁠תֶן־ל֣⁠וֹ תוֹדָ֑ה

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **confession, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “confess.” Alternate translation: “confess to him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

אַל־תְּכַחֵ֖ד מִמֶּֽ⁠נִּי

Hiding information represents trying to keep someone from knowing it. Alternate translation: “Do not try to prevent me from knowing what you have done” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 7:21

וּ⁠מָאתַ֧יִם שְׁקָלִ֣ים

This is over two kilograms. (See: Biblical Weight)

חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים שְׁקָלִים֙

This is over 500 grams. (See: Biblical Weight)

טְמוּנִ֥ים בָּ⁠אָ֛רֶץ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I hid them in the ground” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 7:23

וַ⁠יַּצִּקֻ֖⁠ם

Use the word in your language for pouring many small solid things out of a large bag onto the ground.

Joshua 7:24

עֵ֥מֶק עָכֽוֹר

The name means “Valley of Trouble,” but it is best to translate Achor the way it sounds. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 7:25

מֶ֣ה עֲכַרְתָּ֔⁠נוּ

Joshua uses this question to rebuke Achan. Alternate translation: “You have troubled us” (See: Rhetorical Question)

וַ⁠יִּשְׂרְפ֤וּ אֹתָ⁠ם֙ בָּ⁠אֵ֔שׁ וַ⁠יִּסְקְל֥וּ אֹתָ֖⁠ם בָּ⁠אֲבָנִֽים

Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites burned Achan’s family to death and then covered them with stones or 2) the Israelites stoned Achan’s family to death and then burned the dead bodies or 3) that Achan and his possessions were stoned and then burned.

Joshua 7:26

וַ⁠יָּ֥שָׁב יְהוָ֖ה מֵ⁠חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑⁠וֹ

Turning away his anger represents stopping being angry. Burning anger represents strong anger. Alternate translation: “Yahweh stopped being angry” (See: Metaphor)

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

It was still called the valley of Achor at the time the author wrote this. Alternate translation: “even today” or “even now”

Joshua 8

Joshua 8 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Special concepts in this chapter

Sin brought defeat

It was great sin to take what was to be destroyed. Because of their sin, Yahweh withheld victory from the Israelites. Sin resulted in defeat in battle. Because they repented, Yahweh brought victory to Israel in Ai. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and repent, repentance)

Built an altar

Altars were commonly built in the Ancient Near East to commemorate important events. Several altars were built in the Book of Joshua.

Joshua 8:1

אַל־תִּירָ֣א וְ⁠אַל־תֵּחָ֔ת

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Yahweh combines them to emphasize that there is no reason to be afraid. (See: Parallelism)

נָתַ֣תִּי בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֗ אֶת־מֶ֤לֶךְ הָ⁠עַי֙ וְ⁠אֶת־עַמּ֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠אֶת־עִיר֖⁠וֹ וְ⁠אֶת־אַרְצֽ⁠וֹ

Giving them into Israel’s hand represents giving Israel victory and control over them. Alternate translation: “I have given you victory over the king of Ai and his people, and I have given you control over his city and his land” (See: Metonymy)

נָתַ֣תִּי

God speaks of what he promises to do as though he had already done it, because he will certainly do it. Alternate translation: “I will certainly give” or “I am giving” (See: Predictive Past)

Joshua 8:2

וּ⁠לְ⁠מַלְכָּ֗⁠הּ

The word “her” refers to the city of Ai. Cities were often spoken of as if they were women. Alternate translation: “its king” or “their king” (See: Personification)

Joshua 8:3

עַ֥ם הַ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֖ה

Alternate translation: “the army of Israel”

Joshua 8:7

וּ⁠נְתָנָ֛⁠הּ…בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶֽם

Here “hand” symbolizes the control and power the people have over their enemies. (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 8:8

Joshua finishes explaining the battle plan to his soldiers.

Joshua 8:9

וַ⁠יִּשְׁלָחֵ֣⁠ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ

This phrase refers to Joshua sending the thirty thousand men who had been selected to ambush Ai to where they would set the ambush.

הַ⁠מַּאְרָ֔ב

Alternate translation: “where they would hide until it was time to attack”

Joshua 8:12

כַּ⁠חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ

“5,000 men.” This group seems to be a portion of the “thirty thousand men” (Joshua 8:9). This smaller group remained in the ambush while the other 25,000 men attacked the city. (See: Numbers)

Joshua 8:13

The Israelites prepare to fight the people of Ai.

אֶת־כָּל־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֗ה

This refers to the largest group of fighting men, those not in the ambush group.

עֲקֵב֖⁠וֹ

those who were “set in ambush on the west side of the city” (Joshua 8:12)

Joshua 8:15

וַ⁠יִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ…לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֑ם

“let themselves be defeated before the people of Ai.” The phrase “before them” represents what the people of Ai would see and think. The phrase “be defeated” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “let the people of Ai think that the Israelites were defeated” or “let the people of Ai think that they had defeated the Israelites” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֑ם

the army of Ai

וַ⁠יָּנֻ֖סוּ

The army of Israel fled.

Joshua 8:16

וַֽ⁠יִּרְדְּפוּ֙

These occurrences of “they” refer to the army of Ai.

לִ⁠רְדֹּ֖ף אַחֲרֵי⁠הֶ֑ם

to go after the army of Isreal

וַ⁠יִּזָּעֲק֗וּ כָּל־הָ⁠עָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר ב⁠עיר

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The city leaders called all the people in the city together” (See: Active or Passive)

כָּל־הָ⁠עָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר ב⁠עיר

The writer speaks in a general way about all the people, but “all the people” refers only to those who could fight. Alternate translation: “all the people in the city who could help chase the army of Israel” (See: Hyperbole)

Joshua 8:17

וַ⁠יַּעַזְב֤וּ אֶת־הָ⁠עִיר֙ פְּתוּחָ֔ה

Alternate translation: “left the city gates open”

Joshua 8:18

בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶ֑⁠נָּה

Giving Ai into Israel’s hand represents giving Israel victory and control over Ai. Alternate translation: “I will give you victory over Ai” or “I will cause you to capture Ai” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 8:24

כְּ⁠כַלּ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל לַ⁠הֲרֹג֩ אֶת־כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֨י…וַֽ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ כֻלָּ֛⁠ם לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֖רֶב

The writer uses both of these sentences, which mean almost the same thing, to strongly say that the Israelites had obeyed God’s command to kill everyone in Ai. (See: Parallelism)

וַֽ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ כֻלָּ֛⁠ם לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֖רֶב

Here “fallen” is a euphemism for dying. Also, “the edge of the sword” represents whole swords, and swords represent either battle or the army of Israel. Alternate translation: “had died in battle” or “had died when the army of Israel attacked them” (See: Euphemism and Metaphor)

Joshua 8:25

שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר אָ֑לֶף

“12,000” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 8:28

שְׁמָמָ֔ה

It is a place where people once lived, but now, no one lives there.

Joshua 8:29

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

Alternate translation: “today” or “even now”

Joshua 8:30

בְּ⁠הַ֖ר עֵיבָֽל

a mountain in Canaan (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 8:35

לֹֽא־הָיָ֣ה דָבָ֔ר מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה מֹשֶׁ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־קָרָ֜א יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ

This can be expressed positively. Alternate translation: “Joshua read every word of all that Moses commanded” or “Joshua read the entire law of Moses” (See: Double Negatives)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

This refers to the nation of Israel. (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 9

Joshua 9 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Israel’s mistake

Israel was deceived because “they did not consult with Yahweh for guidance.” Instead of consulting Yahweh, they attempted to achieve victory under their own power. This was sinful. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Joshua 9:1

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֜ן

a shortened name for the Jordan River (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 9:2

פֶּ֖ה אֶחָֽד

Here “command” represents the one who commanded them. Being under him represents obeying his commands. Alternate translation: “obeying the commands of one leader” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 9:4

בְּ⁠עָרְמָ֔ה

a crafty scheme intended to trick Joshua and the Israelites

Joshua 9:5

יָבֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֥ה נִקֻּדִֽים

Alternate translation: “dry and filled with fungus” or “stale and ruined”

Joshua 9:6

אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

This refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 9:7

הַ⁠חִוִּ֑י

This is another name for the Gibeonites. (See: How to Translate Names)

אוּלַ֗י בְּ⁠קִרְבִּ⁠י֙ אַתָּ֣ה יוֹשֵׁ֔ב וְ⁠אֵ֖יךְ אֶֽכְרָת־לְ⁠ךָ֥ בְרִֽית

Joshua is emphasizing that the people of Israel have to follow the command of Yahweh above all else. Alternate translation: “If you do live near us, we cannot make a covenant with you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Joshua 9:10

לְ⁠סִיחוֹן֙

This is the name of the defeated Amorite king. (See: How to Translate Names)

חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן

This is the name of the royal city of the nation of Moab. (See: How to Translate Names)

וּ⁠לְ⁠ע֥וֹג

This is the name of the defeated king of Bashan. (See: How to Translate Names)

בְּ⁠עַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת

This is the name of a city known for worshiping the goddess of the same name. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 9:11

בְ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֤ם

This phrase means “take with you.” Here the word “hand” represents the possession by the Gibeonites of the provisions. (See: Synecdoche)

לִ⁠קְרָאתָ֑⁠ם וַ⁠אֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֲלֵי⁠הֶם֙

The word “them” refers to the people of Israel.

Joshua 9:15

וַ⁠יַּ֨עַשׂ לָ⁠הֶ֤ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ שָׁל֔וֹם וַ⁠יִּכְרֹ֥ת לָ⁠הֶ֛ם בְּרִ֖ית לְ⁠חַיּוֹתָ֑⁠ם וַ⁠יִּשָּׁבְע֣וּ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם נְשִׂיאֵ֖י הָ⁠עֵדָֽה

These two sentences are saying that the same thing occurred. Joshua, the leader of the nation of Israel, promised not to kill the Gibeonites. The leaders of the nation of Israel, likewise, made the same covenant. (See: Parallelism)

הָ⁠עֵדָֽה

Here this refers to the people of Israel. (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 9:17

בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁלִישִׁ֑י

This refers to number three in order. (See: Numbers)

וְ⁠הַ⁠כְּפִירָ֔ה

This is one of the cities of the Gibeonites. (See: How to Translate Names)

וּ⁠בְאֵר֖וֹת

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠קִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִֽים

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 9:19

הָ֣⁠עֵדָ֔ה

Here this phrase refers to the nation of Israel.

Joshua 9:21

וַ֠⁠יִּֽהְיוּ חֹטְבֵ֨י עֵצִ֤ים וְ⁠שֹֽׁאֲבֵי־מַ֨יִם֙

Alternate translation: “the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers”

Joshua 9:23

לְ⁠בֵ֥ית אֱלֹהָֽ⁠י

Here this phrase refers to the dwelling place of Yahweh, the Tabernacle. (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 9:25

כַּ⁠טּ֨וֹב וְ⁠כַ⁠יָּשָׁ֧ר

The words “good” and “right” mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: “Whatever seems fair and just” (See: Doublet)

Joshua 9:26

לָ⁠הֶ֖ם

The word “them” here refers to the Gibeonites.

Joshua 9:27

עַד־הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה

“even up to now.” This means that the people had continued to do these things even up to the day that the writer was living.

Joshua 10

Joshua 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines in 10:12-13 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are a poem.

Special concepts in this chapter

“For Yahweh was waging war on behalf of Israel”

Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land was Yahweh’s war on the ungodly Canaanites more than Israel’s war. This type of war was different from other wars and God gave Israel special instructions. (See: Promised Land and godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idiom

The people of Gibeon used an idiom when they called for help from Israel: “Do not withdraw your hands,” meaning “do not stop protecting.” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 10:1

וַ⁠יְהִי֩

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the writer tells about a new person in the story, Adoni-Zedek.

אֲדֹֽנִי־צֶ֜דֶק

This is the name of a man who is an important king. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:3

יַרְמ֜וּת…לָכִ֛ישׁ…עֶגְל֖וֹן

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

הוֹהָ֣ם…פִּרְאָ֨ם…יָפִ֧יעַ…דְּבִ֥יר

These are the names of kings. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:4

עֲלֽוּ־אֵלַ֣⁠י

“Travel to where I am.” Jerusalem was higher in elevation than other cities in Canaan.

Joshua 10:5

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת׀ מַלְכֵ֣י

“5 kings” (See: Numbers)

יַרְמוּת֙…לָכִ֣ישׁ…עֶגְל֔וֹן

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַֽ⁠יַּחֲנוּ֙ עַל

This means they set up their camp around their city. This was a way of weakening those in the city. It prevented people from escaping the city, and it prevented others from bringing food and water to them in the city.

Joshua 10:6

לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר

The word “They” here refers to Gibeonites.

אַל־תֶּ֥רֶף יָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ מֵֽ⁠עֲבָדֶ֑י⁠ךָ

This humble request is stated with two negatives to emphasize the need for a positive action. Alternate translation: “Please come and use your strength to protect us” (See: Litotes)

יָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ

The word “hands” here refers to the people of Israel’s strength. Alternate translation: “your strength” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 10:8

בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ נְתַתִּ֑י⁠ם

Here “hand” represents the people of Israel’s strength and their ability to defeat their enemy. The word “them” refers to the attacking army. (See: Metonymy)

נְתַתִּ֑י⁠ם

Here the word “them” refers to the attacking armies.

Joshua 10:9

וַ⁠יָּבֹ֧א אֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ

The entire army of Israel is referred to here by the name of their commander, Joshua. (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 10:10

וַ⁠יְהֻמֵּ֤⁠ם יְהוָה֙ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

Here “Israel” refers to the entire army of Israel.

בֵית־חוֹרֹ֔ן…עֲזֵקָ֖ה…מַקֵּדָֽה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:11

בֵּית־חוֹרֹן֙…עֲזֵקָ֖ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

הִשְׁלִ֣יךְ עֲלֵי⁠הֶם֩ אֲבָנִ֨ים גְּדֹל֧וֹת מִן־הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֛יִם

Alternate translation: “threw large hailstones from the sky”

Joshua 10:12

שֶׁ֚מֶשׁ בְּ⁠גִבְע֣וֹן דּ֔וֹם וְ⁠יָרֵ֖חַ בְּ⁠עֵ֥מֶק אַיָּלֽוֹן

Joshua is praying that Yahweh would make the progression of time stop on this day. (See: Parallelism)

שֶׁ֚מֶשׁ…וְ⁠יָרֵ֖חַ

Joshua commands the sun and moon as if these were people. (See: Personification)

בְּ⁠עֵ֥מֶק אַיָּלֽוֹן

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:13

גּוֹי֙

This refers to the people of Israel. (See: Metonymy)

הֲ⁠לֹא־הִ֥יא כְתוּבָ֖ה עַל־סֵ֣פֶר הַ⁠יָּשָׁ֑ר

The writer uses this question as background information to remind the reader that the incident is well-documented. Alternate translation: “This is written in The Book of Jashar.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Background Information)

Joshua 10:16

בְּ⁠מַקֵּדָֽה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:17

וַ⁠יֻּגַּ֖ד לִ⁠יהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ

Messengers came and told Joshua. Alternate translation: “Someone told Joshua” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 10:19

בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶֽם

The phrase “your hand” here means “your control.” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 10:21

מַקֵּדָ֖ה

Translate the same way as you did in Joshua 10:10. (See: How to Translate Names)

לֹֽא־חָרַ֞ץ לִ⁠בְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לְ⁠אִ֖ישׁ אֶת־לְשֹׁנֽ⁠וֹ

Alternate translation: “No one dared to say anything against” or “No one dared to complain or protest against”

Joshua 10:22

פִּתְח֖וּ אֶת־פִּ֣י הַ⁠מְּעָרָ֑ה

Here “mouth” is an idiom that means “entrance.” Alternate translation: “Open the entrance of the cave” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 10:23

יַרְמ֔וּת…לָכִ֖ישׁ…עֶגְלֽוֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:24

כָּל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

Here the men of Israel represent only those who were soldiers. (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 10:27

עַד־עֶ֖צֶם הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

Alternate translation: “until the author wrote this story”

Joshua 10:28

מַקֵּדָ֔ה

This is the name of a city. See how you translated it in Joshua 10:10. (See: How to Translate Names)

הֶחֱרִ֣ם אוֹתָ֗⁠ם וְ⁠אֶת־כָּל־הַ⁠נֶּ֨פֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֔⁠הּ לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖יר שָׂרִ֑יד

The second sentence summarizes the first sentence to emphasize that Joshua left no person or animal alive. (See: Parallelism)

Joshua 10:29

לִבְנָ֑ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:31

מִ⁠לִּבְנָ֖ה לָכִ֑ישָׁ⁠ה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:32

בְּ⁠יַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

Here their “hand” represents their control. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave Lachish into the control of the nation of Israel” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 10:33

הֹרָם֙

This is the name of a man who is an important king. (See: How to Translate Names)

גֶּ֔זֶר…אֶת־לָכִ֑ישׁ

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:34

מִ⁠לָּכִ֖ישׁ עֶגְלֹ֑נָ⁠ה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:35

וַ⁠יַּכּ֣וּ⁠הָ לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֔רֶב וְ⁠אֵת֙ כָּל־הַ⁠נֶּ֣פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־…הַ⁠ה֖וּא הֶחֱרִ֑ים

These two phrases have similar meanings. Together they show the completeness of the destruction of Eglon. (See: Doublet)

Joshua 10:36

מֵ⁠עֶגְל֖וֹנָ⁠ה

This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Joshua 10:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:37

וַ⁠יִּלְכְּד֣וּ⁠הָ וַ⁠יַּכּֽוּ⁠הָ־לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֠רֶב

The sword represents the army of Israel and striking expresses the idea of slaughter and destruction. Alternate translation: “They captured and killed and destroyed” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 10:38

דְּבִ֑רָ⁠ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 10:39

לִ⁠דְבִ֨רָ⁠ה֙…לְ⁠לִבְנָ֖ה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַ⁠יַּכּ֣וּ⁠ם לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֔רֶב

The sword represents the army of Israel and striking expresses the idea of slaughter and destruction. Alternate translation: “They killed and destroyed them” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 10:40

וְ⁠אֵת֙ כָּל־מַלְכֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖יר שָׂרִ֑יד וְ⁠אֵ֤ת כָּל־הַ⁠נְּשָׁמָה֙ הֶחֱרִ֔ים

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize the complete destruction that the people of Israel accomplished at Yahweh’s command. (See: Parallelism)

Joshua 10:42

כָּל־הַ⁠מְּלָכִ֤ים הָ⁠אֵ֨לֶּה֙ וְ⁠אֶת־אַרְצָ֔⁠ם לָכַ֥ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ

This refers to the kings and lands that were listed beginning in Joshua 10:28.

לָכַ֥ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ

Here Joshua represents his whole army. Alternate translation: “Joshua and his soldiers captured” (See: Synecdoche)

פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת

This does not mean in one day. It means during one military campaign, which may have lasted many days or weeks.

Joshua 11

Joshua 11 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh overcomes the united forces of the northern kingdoms

Yahweh said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid in their presence, because tomorrow at this time I am giving them all to Israel as dead men.” Even when the kingdoms of Canaan joined forces, they were not able to overcome the power of Yahweh.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Yahweh gave the enemy into the hand of Israel”

This phrase may present difficulties in translation. The translator should ensure that Yahweh receives credit for Israel’s victory. (See: Idiom)

Joshua 11:1

יָבִ֣ין…יוֹבָב֙

These are names of kings. (See: How to Translate Names)

חָצ֑וֹר…מָד֔וֹן…שִׁמְר֖וֹן…אַכְשָֽׁף

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:2

כִּֽנֲר֖וֹת…וּ⁠בְ⁠נָפ֥וֹת דּ֖וֹר

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:3

חֶרְמ֔וֹן

This is the name of a mountain. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:4

All the Canaanite kings attack Joshua and the nation of Israel.

וְ⁠כָל־מַֽחֲנֵי⁠הֶם֙ עִמָּ֔⁠ם עַם־רָ֕ב כַּ⁠ח֛וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־שְׂפַת־הַ⁠יָּ֖ם לָ⁠רֹ֑ב

No one can count the grains of sand on the seashore. This exaggeration emphasizes the very large number of soldiers that these kings assembled. Alternate translation: “such a great number of soldiers that there appeared to be as many of them as there are grains of sand on the seashore” (See: Hyperbole)

Joshua 11:5

מֵר֔וֹם

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:6

אָנֹכִ֞י נֹתֵ֧ן אֶת־כֻּלָּ֛⁠ם חֲלָלִ֖ים לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

Yahweh enabling Israel to conquer the enemy army and kill all of the soldiers is spoken of as if Yahweh killed the soldiers and then gave them to Israel. Alternate translation: “I will enable Israel to kill all of them in battle” (See: Metaphor)

אֶת־סוּסֵי⁠הֶ֣ם תְּעַקֵּ֔ר

“cripple their horses by cutting their legs.” This is a practice where the tendons in the backs of the legs are cut so that the horses cannot walk.

Joshua 11:7

מֵר֖וֹם

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:8

וַ⁠יִּתְּנֵ֨⁠ם יְהוָ֥ה בְּ⁠יַֽד־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮

Here the word “hand” represents power. Yahweh enabling the army of Israel to conquer their enemy is spoken of as if Yahweh had put the enemy army into Israel’s hand. Alternate translation: “Yahweh enabled Israel to conquer the enemy” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

וַ⁠יַּכּוּ⁠ם֒…וַ⁠יַּכֻּ֕⁠ם

Alternate translation: “attacked them … attacked them”

מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת מַ֔יִם

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:9

עִקֵּ֔ר

This is a practice where the tendons in the backs of the legs are cut so that the horses cannot run. See how you translated this word in Joshua 11:6.

Joshua 11:10

מַלְכָּ֖⁠הּ הִכָּ֣ה בֶ⁠חָ֑רֶב

Alternate translation: “Joshua killed the king of Hazor with his sword”

חָצ֣וֹר לְ⁠פָנִ֔ים הִ֕יא רֹ֖אשׁ כָּל־הַ⁠מַּמְלָכ֥וֹת הָ⁠אֵֽלֶּה

Hazor being the most important city is spoken of as Hazor being the head of the other kingdoms. Alternate translation: Hazor had been the most important of all these kingdoms” (See: Metaphor and How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:11

וַ֠⁠יַּכּוּ אֶת־כָּל־הַ⁠נֶּ֨פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤⁠הּ לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֨רֶב֙ הַֽחֲרֵ֔ם לֹ֥א נוֹתַ֖ר כָּל־נְשָׁמָ֑ה

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize complete destruction. (See: Parallelism)

הַֽחֲרֵ֔ם

The word “he” refers to Joshua and represents himself and his army. Completely destroying every living thing in the city is spoken of as if those living things were dedicated for destruction. Alternate translation: “the army completely destroyed them” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

Joshua 11:12

וַ⁠יַּכֵּ֥⁠ם לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֖רֶב

Alternate translation: “killed them”

Joshua 11:13

הֶ⁠עָרִ֗ים הָ⁠עֹֽמְדוֹת֙ עַל־תִּלָּ֔⁠ם

Alternate translation: “cities built on small hills”

Joshua 11:14

לָ⁠הֶ֖ם

This phrase refers to the army of Israel. (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

אֶֽת־כָּל־הָ⁠אָדָ֞ם הִכּ֣וּ לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֗רֶב עַד־הִשְׁמִדָ⁠ם֙ אוֹתָ֔⁠ם לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖ירוּ כָּל־נְשָׁמָֽה

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize complete destruction. (See: Parallelism)

Joshua 11:15

לֹֽא־הֵסִ֣יר דָּבָ֔ר מִ⁠כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה

This negative phrase emphasizes that Joshua did everything that Yahweh commanded. Alternate translation: “Joshua did everything that Yahweh commanded” (See: Litotes)

Joshua 11:17

הָ⁠הָ֤ר הֶֽ⁠חָלָק֙…בַּ֤עַל גָּד֙

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:20

מֵ⁠אֵ֣ת יְהוָ֣ה׀ הָיְתָ֡ה לְ⁠חַזֵּ֣ק אֶת־לִבָּ⁠ם֩

Yahweh causing the people of the cities to be stubborn is spoken of as if Yahweh had hardened their hearts. Alternate translation: “it was Yahweh who caused them to act stubbornly” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 11:21

אֶת־הָֽ⁠עֲנָקִים֙

These are the descendants of Anak. (See: How to Translate Names)

דְּבִ֣ר…עֲנָ֔ב

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 11:23

וַ⁠יִּתְּנָ⁠הּ֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ לְ⁠נַחֲלָ֧ה לְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל

Joshua giving the land to the Israelites is spoken of as if he had given the Israelites an inheritance as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “Joshua gave the land to the Israelites as a permanent possession” (See: Metaphor)

וְ⁠הָ⁠אָ֥רֶץ שָׁקְטָ֖ה מִ⁠מִּלְחָמָֽה

The people no longer fighting wars is spoken of as if the land were a person who rested from war. Alternate translation: “the people no longer fought wars in the land” or “there was peace in the land” (See: Personification and Metaphor)

Joshua 12

Joshua 12 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines in 12:2-5 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long list.

Joshua 12:1

וְ⁠אֵ֣לֶּה

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the writer begins to provide background information. (See: Background Information)

וְ⁠אֵ֣לֶּה׀ מַלְכֵ֣י

This refers to the list of kings that continues through verse 24.

הָ⁠עֲרָבָ֖ה

These are the names of a region of land. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:2

מֵ⁠עֲרוֹעֵ֡ר

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

סִיחוֹן֙…בְּ⁠חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן

See how you translated these words in Joshua 9:10.

Joshua 12:3

יָ֨ם כִּנְר֜וֹת

This is a place. See how you translated this in Joshua 11:2.

בֵּ֣ית הַיְשִׁמ֑וֹת…הַ⁠פִּסְגָּֽה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:4

ע֚וֹג מֶ֣לֶךְ הַ⁠בָּשָׁ֔ן

See how you translated this man’s name in Joshua 9:10.

הָ⁠רְפָאִ֑ים

These are the names of people groups. (See: How to Translate Names)

בְּ⁠עַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת וּ⁠בְ⁠אֶדְרֶֽעִי

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:5

וּ⁠בְ⁠סַלְכָה֙

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠הַ⁠מַּעֲכָתִ֑י

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:6

לָ⁠רֻֽאוּבֵנִי֙

These are the descendants of Reuben.

וְ⁠לַ⁠גָּדִ֔י

These are the descendants of Gad.

וְ⁠לַ⁠חֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֥בֶט הַֽ⁠מְנַשֶּֽׁה

They are called a half tribe because the other half of the tribe received an inheritance in the land of Canaan.

Joshua 12:7

מִ⁠בַּ֤עַל גָּד֙…הָ⁠הָ֥ר הֶ⁠חָלָ֖ק

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:8

וּ⁠בָֽ⁠עֲרָבָה֙

This is the name of a region of land. Translate as in Joshua 12:1. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:10

חֶבְר֖וֹן

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:11

יַרְמוּת֙…לָכִ֖ישׁ

These are the names of cities. Translate in the same way you did in Joshua 10:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:12

עֶגְלוֹן֙…גֶּ֖זֶר

These are the names of cities. Translate “Eglon” in the same way you did in Joshua 10:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:13

דְּבִר֙…גֶּ֖דֶר

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:14

חָרְמָה֙…עֲרָ֖ד

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:15

לִבְנָה֙…עֲדֻלָּ֖ם

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:16

מַקֵּדָה֙

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:17

תַּפּ֨וּחַ֙…חֵ֖פֶר

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:18

אֲפֵק֙…לַ⁠שָּׁר֖וֹן

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:19

מָדוֹן֙…חָצ֖וֹר

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:20

שִׁמְר֤וֹן מְראוֹן֙…אַכְשָׁ֖ף

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:21

תַּעְנַךְ֙…מְגִדּ֖וֹ

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:22

קֶ֨דֶשׁ֙…יָקְנֳעָ֥ם

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:23

דּ֛וֹר לְ⁠נָפַ֥ת דּ֖וֹר…גּוֹיִ֥ם

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 12:24

תִּרְצָ֖ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

כָּל־מְלָכִ֖ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְ⁠אֶחָֽד

“31 in all” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 13

Joshua 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter begins a section about dividing the land between the tribes of Israel.

Special concepts in this chapter

Division of the land

There was still much land to be captured west of the Jordan River, but the tribe of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Mannasah received their land east of the Jordan. This land had been promised to them in Numbers 32.

Driving out the people

While Yahweh achieved many great victories through Joshua, Israel was still supposed to drive out the rest of the Canaanites. Israel’s success in this would depend on their faith in Yahweh. (See: faith)

Joshua 13:2

זֹ֥את הָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ הַ⁠נִּשְׁאָ֑רֶת

You may clarify that this is the land that Israel still needs to capture. Alternate translation: “This is the land that still remains for Israel to capture” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 13:3

הַ⁠שִּׁיח֞וֹר

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

לַֽ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֖י תֵּחָשֵׁ֑ב

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which the Canaanites now consider their property” (See: Active or Passive)

וְ⁠הָ⁠עַוִּֽים

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:4

וּ⁠מְעָרָ֛ה…אֲפֵ֑קָ⁠ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:5

מִ⁠בַּ֣עַל גָּ֔ד…הַר־חֶרְמ֑וֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

הַ⁠גִּבְלִ֗י

This is the name of a people group who lived in Geba. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:6

מִשְׂרְפֹ֥ת מַ֨יִם֙

this is the name of a place (See: How to Translate Names)

לְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּֽ⁠נַחֲלָ֔ה

The land that Israel will claim is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they will receive as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 13:9

מֵ⁠עֲרוֹעֵ֡ר…מֵידְבָ֖א…דִּיבֽוֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

הַ⁠נַּ֛חַל

a place where the river is far below the land on the sides

הַ⁠מִּישֹׁ֥ר

flat land high above rivers

Joshua 13:10

בְּ⁠חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:11

סַלְכָֽה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

וּ⁠גְב֧וּל הַ⁠גְּשׁוּרִ֣י וְ⁠הַ⁠מַּעֲכָתִ֗י

Alternate translation: “the land where the Geshurites and Maacathites lived”

וְ⁠הַ⁠מַּעֲכָתִ֗י

These are the names of people groups. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:12

בְּ⁠עַשְׁתָּר֖וֹת וּ⁠בְ⁠אֶדְרֶ֑עִי

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

הָ⁠רְפָאִ֔ים

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַ⁠יַּכֵּ֥⁠ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה

Here “Moses” represents himself and the Israelite army that Moses led. Alternate translation: “Moses and the Israelites attacked them” (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 13:13

אֶת־הַ⁠גְּשׁוּרִ֖י וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠מַּעֲכָתִ֑י

These are the names of people groups. (See: How to Translate Names)

גְּשׁ֤וּר וּ⁠מַֽעֲכָת֙ בְּ⁠קֶ֣רֶב יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

“Geshur” and “Maacath” are either the names of the ancestors of “the Geshurites” and “the Maacathites” or are the names of the cities in which they lived. Alternate translation: “those people live among Israel” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.

Joshua 13:14

לֹ֥א נָתַ֖ן נַחֲלָ֑ה

The land that Moses assigned to the tribes of Israel is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

אִשֵּׁ֨י יְהוָ֜ה…ה֣וּא נַחֲלָת֔⁠וֹ

The writer speaks of the great honor that the Levites had by serving Yahweh as priests as if the offerings were something that they would inherit. Alternate translation: “The offerings of Yahweh … are what they will have for their provision” (See: Metaphor)

אִשֵּׁ֨י יְהוָ֜ה

Alternate translation: “offerings that the people were to bring to Yahweh”

אִשֵּׁ֨י

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that the priests burned with fire” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 13:16

מֵ⁠עֲרוֹעֵ֡ר…מֵידְבָֽא

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

נַ֨חַל…הַ⁠מִּישֹׁ֖ר

See how you translated these words in Joshua 13:9.

Joshua 13:17

חֶשְׁבּ֥וֹן…דִּיבוֹן֙ וּ⁠בָמ֣וֹת בַּ֔עַל וּ⁠בֵ֖ית בַּ֥עַל מְעֽוֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:18

וְ⁠יַ֥הְצָ⁠ה וּ⁠קְדֵמֹ֖ת וּ⁠מֵפָֽעַת

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:19

וְ⁠קִרְיָתַ֣יִם וְ⁠שִׂבְמָ֔ה וְ⁠צֶ֥רֶת הַשַּׁ֖חַר

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:20

וּ⁠בֵ֥ית פְּע֛וֹר…הַ⁠פִּסְגָּ֖ה וּ⁠בֵ֥ית הַיְשִׁמֽוֹת

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:21

בְּ⁠חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

סִיחוֹן֙…אֶת־אֱוִ֤י וְ⁠אֶת־רֶ֨קֶם֙ וְ⁠אֶת־צ֤וּר וְ⁠אֶת־חוּר֙ וְ⁠אֶת־רֶ֔בַע

These are the names of people. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֹת֣⁠וֹ׀ וְ⁠אֶת־נְשִׂיאֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן

Alternate translation: “as he had defeated the leaders of Midian”

Joshua 13:23

וּ⁠גְב֑וּל זֹ֣את

The Jordan River was the western border of the land that the tribe of Reuben received.

וּ⁠גְב֑וּל זֹ֣את נַחֲלַ֤ת בְּנֵֽי־רְאוּבֵן֙

The land that Moses assigned to the tribe of Reuben is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribe of Reuben received as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that Moses gave to each of their clans” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 13:25

יַעְזֵר֙…עֲרוֹעֵ֕ר…רַבָּֽה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:26

וּ⁠מֵ⁠חֶשְׁבּ֛וֹן…רָמַ֥ת הַ⁠מִּצְפֶּ֖ה וּ⁠בְטֹנִ֑ים וּ⁠מִֽ⁠מַּחֲנַ֖יִם…לִדְבִֽר

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:27

בֵּ֣ית הָרָם֩ וּ⁠בֵ֨ית נִמְרָ֜ה וְ⁠סֻכּ֣וֹת וְ⁠צָפ֗וֹן…חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:28

זֹ֛את נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵי־גָ֖ד

The land that Moses assigned to the tribe of Gad is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribe of Gad received as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 13:29

וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה לַ⁠חֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֣בֶט מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה

The land that Moses assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that he gave to them as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

לַ⁠חֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֣בֶט מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה

Only half of the tribe received this land because the other half received land on the other side of the Jordan River.

וַ⁠יְהִ֗י לַ⁠חֲצִ֛י

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Moses assigned it” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 13:30

מִ⁠מַּחֲנַ֨יִם…יָאִ֛יר

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:31

וְ⁠עַשְׁתָּר֣וֹת וְ⁠אֶדְרֶ֔עִי

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

לִ⁠בְנֵ֤י

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Moses assigned these” (See: Active or Passive)

מָכִ֖יר

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 13:32

אֵ֕לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נִחַ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה

The land that Moses assigned to the tribes of Israel on the east side of the Jordan is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that Moses gave to them as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This is the land that Moses assigned to them as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 13:33

יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ ה֣וּא נַחֲלָתָ֔⁠ם

The writer speaks of the great honor that the Levites had by serving Yahweh as priests as if Yahweh were something that they would inherit. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, the God of Israel, is what they have” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 14

Joshua 14 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Drive them out

The Israelites were to completely drive out the Canaanites. If they did not drive them out completely, the Canaanites would cause the Israelites to worship other gods. It was sinful to allow the Canaanites to remain in the land. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Joshua 14:1

וְ⁠אֵ֛לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נָחֲל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

The land that the people of Israel acquired is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

אֲב֥וֹת הַ⁠מַּטּ֖וֹת

Alternate translation: “leaders of the tribes”

Joshua 14:2

בְּ⁠גוֹרַ֖ל נַחֲלָתָ֑⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal leaders cast lots to determine the inheritance” (See: Active or Passive)

בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה

Here the word “hand” refers to Moses himself and means that Yahweh used Moses as the agent to deliver his command. Alternate translation: “through Moses” (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 14:3

כִּֽי־נָתַ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֜ה נַחֲלַ֨ת שְׁנֵ֤י הַ⁠מַּטּוֹת֙ וַ⁠חֲצִ֣י הַ⁠מַּטֶּ֔ה מֵ⁠עֵ֖בֶר לַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְ⁠לַ֨⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם לֹֽא־נָתַ֥ן נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּ⁠תוֹכָֽ⁠ם

The land that Moses gave to the tribes is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 14:4

וְ⁠לֹֽא־נָתְנוּ֩ חֵ֨לֶק לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֜ם בָּ⁠אָ֗רֶץ

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And Moses did not give a portion of the inheritance to the Levites in the land” (See: Active or Passive)

חֵ֨לֶק

Alternate translation: “part”

כִּ֤י אִם־עָרִים֙ לָ⁠שֶׁ֔בֶת

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “but he gave to them only certain cities to live in” (See: Ellipsis)

וּ⁠מִ֨גְרְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֔ם

fields of grass for the livestock to eat

וּ⁠לְ⁠קִנְיָנָֽ⁠ם

physical things they needed so they could provide for their families

Joshua 14:6

יְפֻנֶּ֖ה

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

הַ⁠קְּנִזִּ֑י

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 14:7

וָ⁠אָשֵׁ֤ב אֹת⁠וֹ֙ דָּבָ֔ר כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֖ר עִם־לְבָבִֽ⁠י

Here the word “heart” represents the thoughts. The phrase is an idiom that refers to a report that is given honestly. Alternate translation: “I brought back to him an honest report” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 14:8

הִמְסִ֖יו אֶת־לֵ֣ב הָ⁠עָ֑ם

Making the people very afraid is spoken of as if it were making the hearts of the people melt. Alternate translation: “made the people very afraid” (See: Metaphor)

וְ⁠אָנֹכִ֣י מִלֵּ֔אתִי אַחֲרֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה

Being loyal to Yahweh is spoken of as if it were completely following Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I remained loyal to Yahweh” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 14:9

הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙…בָּ֔⁠הּ לְ⁠ךָ֨ תִֽהְיֶ֧ה לְ⁠נַחֲלָ֛ה וּ⁠לְ⁠בָנֶ֖י⁠ךָ עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם

The land that Caleb and his descendants would have is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they would receive as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דָּרְכָ֤ה רַגְלְ⁠ךָ֙

Here “your foot” represents Caleb. Alternate translation: “the land on which you have walked” (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 14:10

הִנֵּה֩

Alternate translation: “pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important”

אֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֥ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּ⁠מִּדְבָּ֑ר

Alternate translation: “while the people of Israel traveled in the wilderness”

Joshua 14:11

כְּ⁠כֹ֥חִ⁠י אָ֖ז וּ⁠כְ⁠כֹ֣חִ⁠י עָ֑תָּה

Alternate translation: “I am still as strong now as I was then”

וְ⁠לָ⁠צֵ֥את וְ⁠לָ⁠בֽוֹא

This is an idiom that refers to daily activities. Alternate translation: “for the things I do every day” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 14:12

אֶת־הָ⁠הָ֣ר

Possible meanings are 1) many large hills or small mountains or 2) one mountain.

עֲנָקִ֣ים

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 14:13

וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֧ן אֶת־חֶבְר֛וֹן לְ⁠כָלֵ֥ב

Hebron is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that Caleb received as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 14:14

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה

This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.

מִלֵּ֔א אַחֲרֵ֕י יְהוָ֖ה

Being loyal to Yahweh is spoken of as if it were completely following Yahweh. Alternate translation: “he remained loyal to Yahweh” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 14:15

קִרְיַ֣ת אַרְבַּ֔ע

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠הָ⁠אָ֥רֶץ שָׁקְטָ֖ה מִ⁠מִּלְחָמָֽה

The people no longer fighting wars is spoken of as if the land were a person who rested from war. See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 11:23. Alternate translation: “Then the people no longer fought wars in the land” (See: Personification and Metaphor)

Joshua 15

Joshua 15 General Notes

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter is about the land given to the tribe of Judah. It will be difficult to fully understand their location without a map. Further research may be needed to understand the location of their land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 15:1

צִ֛ן

This is the name of the wilderness area. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:2

מִ⁠קְצֵ֖ה יָ֣ם הַ⁠מֶּ֑לַח מִן־הַ⁠לָּשֹׁ֖ן הַ⁠פֹּנֶ֥ה נֶֽגְבָּ⁠ה

“from the bay that faces south at the end of the Salt Sea.” These two phrases refer to the same location. The second phrase clarifies the point at which the southern border begins.

מִן־הַ⁠לָּשֹׁ֖ן הַ⁠פֹּנֶ֥ה נֶֽגְבָּ⁠ה

Alternate translation: “from the bay that extends to the south” or “from the southern bay”

הַ⁠לָּשֹׁ֖ן

smaller part of the sea that extends into the land

Joshua 15:3

עַקְרַבִּים֙…צִ֔נָ⁠ה…חֶצְרוֹן֙…אַדָּ֔רָ⁠ה…הַ⁠קַּרְקָֽעָ⁠ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:4

עַצְמ֗וֹנָ⁠ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

נַ֣חַל מִצְרַ֔יִם

a small river of water at the southwestern edge of the land, near Egypt (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:5

מִ⁠קְצֵ֖ה הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּֽן

The point at which the river empties into the sea is spoken of as if it were the mouth of the river. (See: Metaphor)

וּ⁠גְב֞וּל

Alternate translation: “border … was”

Joshua 15:6

בֵּ֣ית חָגְלָ֔ה…לְ⁠בֵ֣ית הָעֲרָבָ֑ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶ֥בֶן בֹּ֖הַן

This was likely a large stone that someone set up as a landmark and named after the man, Bohan. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:7

דְּבִרָ⁠ה֮ מֵ⁠עֵ֣מֶק עָכוֹר֒…הַ⁠גִּלְגָּ֗ל…לְ⁠מַעֲלֵ֣ה אֲדֻמִּ֔ים…מֵי־עֵ֣ין שֶׁ֔מֶ…עֵ֥ין רֹגֵֽל

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:8

גֵּ֣י בֶן־הִנֹּ֗ם…עֵֽמֶק־רְפָאִ֖ים

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:9

נֶפְתּ֔וֹחַ…הַר־עֶפְר֑וֹן…קִרְיַ֥ת יְעָרִֽים

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:10

מִ⁠בַּעֲלָ֥ה…הַ֣ר שֵׂעִ֔יר…הַר־יְעָרִ֛ים…כְסָל֑וֹן…בֵּֽית־שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ…תִּמְנָֽה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:11

שִׁכְּר֔וֹנָ⁠ה…הַר־הַֽ⁠בַּעֲלָ֖ה…יַבְנְאֵ֑ל

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:13

אֶת־קִרְיַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֛ע

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

אַרְבַּ֛ע…הָ⁠עֲנָ֖ק

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:14

אֶת־שְׁלוֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הָ⁠עֲנָ֑ק אֶת־שֵׁשַׁ֤י וְ⁠אֶת־אֲחִימַן֙ וְ⁠אֶת־תַּלְמַ֔י יְלִידֵ֖י הָ⁠עֲנָֽק

These names represent clans of people who were descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. The words “sons” and “descendants” in this context mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “the three clans, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, who were descendants of Anak” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

הָ⁠עֲנָ֑ק אֶת־שֵׁשַׁ֤י וְ⁠אֶת־אֲחִימַן֙ וְ⁠אֶת־תַּלְמַ֔י

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:15

וַ⁠יַּ֣עַל מִ⁠שָּׁ֔ם אֶל

Alternate translation: “He went up from there to fight against”

דְּבִ֥ר…קִרְיַת־סֵֽפֶר

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:16

אֶת־קִרְיַת־סֵ֖פֶר

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶת־עַכְסָ֥ה

This is a woman’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:17

עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל…קְנַ֖ז

These are men’s names. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:18

בְּ⁠בוֹאָ֗⁠הּ

This is an idiom that refers to Aksah becoming Othniel’s wife. Alternate translation: “when Aksah became Othniel’s wife” (See: Idiom)

וַ⁠תְּסִיתֵ֨⁠הוּ֙ לִ⁠שְׁא֤וֹל מֵֽ⁠אֵת־אָבִ֨י⁠הָ֙ שָׂדֶ֔ה

This can be translated as direct speech. Alternate translation: “she urged him, ‘Ask my father to give me a field.’” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Joshua 15:19

אֵ֚ת גֻּלֹּ֣ת עִלִּיּ֔וֹת וְ⁠אֵ֖ת גֻּלֹּ֥ת תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת

The words “upper” and “lower” likely refer to the geographical altitude of the water springs.

Joshua 15:20

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־יְהוּדָ֖ה

The land that the tribe of Judah received is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land that the tribe of Judah received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 15:46

וְ⁠חַצְרֵי⁠הֶֽן

villages

Joshua 15:47

נַ֣חַל מִצְרָ֑יִם

a small river of water at the southwestern edge of the land near Egypt (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 15:63

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.

Joshua 16

Joshua 16 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Drive them out

The Israelites were to completely drive out the Canaanites. If they did not drive them out completely, the Canaanites would cause the Israelites to worship other gods. It was sinful to allow the Canaanites to remain in the land. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter is about the land given to the tribe of Ephraim, one of Joseph’s sons. It will be difficult to fully understand their location without a map. Further research may be needed to understand the location of their land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 16:1

לִ⁠בְנֵ֤י יוֹסֵף֙

The “tribe of Joseph” consisted of the tribes of Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Since half of the tribe of Manasseh had settled east of the Jordan, this phrase refers to the tribe of Ephraim and the other half of the tribe of Manasseh. Alternate translation: “the tribe of Ephraim and the other half of the tribe of Manasseh” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 16:2

ל֑וּזָ⁠ה…עֲטָרֽוֹת

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

הָ⁠אַרְכִּ֖י

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 16:3

הַ⁠יַּפְלֵטִ֗י

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

בֵּית־חוֹרֹ֛ן תַּחְתּ֖וֹן…גָּ֑זֶר

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 16:4

בְנֵי־יוֹסֵ֖ף מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה וְ⁠אֶפְרָֽיִם

Alternate translation: “the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, the sons of Joseph”

וַ⁠יִּנְחֲל֥וּ

The land that the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim possessed is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “received this land as their inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 16:5

גְּב֥וּל בְּנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The territory … that Joshua assigned to their clans” (See: Active or Passive)

עַטְר֣וֹת אַדָּ֔ר…בֵּ֥ית חוֹרֹ֖ן עֶלְיֽוֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 16:6

הַֽ⁠מִּכְמְתָת֙…תַּאֲנַ֣ת שִׁלֹ֑ה…יָנֽוֹחָ⁠ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 16:7

מִ⁠יָּנ֖וֹחָ⁠ה עֲטָר֣וֹת וְ⁠נַעֲרָ֑תָ⁠ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 16:8

מִ⁠תַּפּ֜וּחַ…קָנָ֔ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ⁠ם

The land that Ephraim possessed is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land that the tribe of Ephraim received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which Joshua assigned to their clans” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 16:9

וְ⁠הֶ⁠עָרִ֗ים הַ⁠מִּבְדָּלוֹת֙

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the cities that Joshua had chosen” (See: Active or Passive)

בְּ⁠ת֖וֹךְ נַחֲלַ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה

The land that the tribe of Manasseh possessed is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “within the land that the tribe of Manasseh had received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 16:10

עַד־הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה

This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.

וַ⁠יְהִ֖י לְ⁠מַס־עֹבֵֽד

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Israelites forced these people to work as slaves” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 17

Joshua 17 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Manasseh’s lack of faith

Even though they were one of the largest and most powerful tribes of Israel, the tribe of Manasseh lacked faith in the power of Yahweh. This caused them many problems. It would also cause their descendants many problems. (See: faith)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter is about the land given to the tribe of Manasseh, one of Joseph’s sons. It will be difficult to fully understand their locations without a map. Further research may be needed to understand the locations of their land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 17:1

לְ⁠מָכִיר֩

These are men’s names. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַֽ⁠יְהִי־ל֖⁠וֹ הַ⁠גִּלְעָ֥ד וְ⁠הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Joshua assigned the land of Gilead and Bashan to Makir’s descendants” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 17:2

אֲבִיעֶ֜זֶר…חֵ֗לֶק…אַשְׂרִיאֵל֙…שֶׁ֔כֶם…חֵ֖פֶר…שְׁמִידָ֑ע

These are men’s names. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַ֠⁠יְהִי

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Joshua assigned land … and gave them to their clans” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 17:3

וְ⁠לִ⁠צְלָפְחָד֩…חֵ֨פֶ

These are men’s names. (See: How to Translate Names)

מַחְלָ֣ה וְ⁠נֹעָ֔ה חָגְלָ֥ה מִלְכָּ֖ה וְ⁠תִרְצָֽה

These are women’s names. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 17:4

אֶלְעָזָ֨ר

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

לָֽ⁠תֶת־לָ֥⁠נוּ נַחֲלָ֖ה

The land is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the people received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “to give to us some land as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֜ם…נַֽחֲלָ֔ה

Possible meanings are 1) “Joshua gave those women an inheritance” or 2) “Eleazar gave those women an inheritance.”

Joshua 17:5

וַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ חַבְלֵֽי־מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה עֲשָׂרָ֑ה

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Joshua assigned ten parcels of land” (See: Active or Passive)

חַבְלֵֽי…עֲשָׂרָ֑ה

Alternate translation: “Ten portions”

Joshua 17:6

נָחֲל֥וּ נַחֲלָ֖ה

The land is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “received land as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

הַ⁠גִּלְעָ֔ד הָיְתָ֥ה לִ⁠בְנֵֽי

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Joshua assigned the land of Gilead” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 17:7

אֶל־הַ⁠יָּמִ֔ין

toward the south

הַֽ⁠מִּכְמְתָ֔ת…תַּפּֽוּחַ

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 17:9

הַ⁠גְּבוּל֩

Alternate translation: “The border of Manasseh’s land”

נַ֨חַל

a very small river

קָנָ֜ה

name of a brook (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 17:10

וּ⁠בְ⁠אָשֵׁר֙ יִפְגְּע֣וּ⁠ן מִ⁠צָּפ֔וֹן

Possible meanings are 1) that the border of Manasseh’s land on the north side touched the land that belonged to the tribe of Asher or 2) that one can travel north to reach Asher. Alternate translation: “Asher was on the north side” or “One can travel north to reach Asher” (See: Active or Passive)

וּ⁠בְ⁠יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר מִ⁠מִּזְרָֽח

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “to the east, one can reach Issachar” (See: Ellipsis)

Joshua 17:11

בֵּית־שְׁאָ֣ן…וְ⁠יִבְלְעָ֨ם…דֹ֣אר…עֵֽין־דֹּר֙…תַעְנַךְ֙…מְגִדּ֖וֹ…הַ⁠נָּֽפֶת

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 17:14

בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף

This refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

מַדּוּעַ֩ נָתַ֨תָּה לִּ֜⁠י נַחֲלָ֗ה גּוֹרָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ וְ⁠חֶ֣בֶל אֶחָ֔ד וַֽ⁠אֲנִ֣י עַם־רָ֔ב עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־עַד־כֹּ֖ה בֵּֽרְכַ֥⁠נִי יְהוָֽה

The people of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh ask this question to emphasize that Joshua should have assigned to them more land. Alternate translation: “You should have given us more than one … Yahweh has blessed us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

גּוֹרָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ וְ⁠חֶ֣בֶל אֶחָ֔ד

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. In the second, the land is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the people received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “one assignment of land as our inheritance” (See: Doublet and Metaphor)

וְ⁠חֶ֣בֶל

part

עַם־רָ֔ב עַ֥ד

Alternate translation: “many people”

Joshua 17:15

אִם־עַם־רַ֤ב אַתָּה֙

Alternate translation: “Since you are a people great in number”

וְ⁠הָֽ⁠רְפָאִ֑ים

This is the name of a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 17:16

בְּ⁠בֵית־שְׁאָן֙…יִזְרְעֶֽאל

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 17:17

בֵּ֣ית יוֹסֵ֔ף

Here the word “house” refers to the descendants. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Joseph” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 17:18

וּ⁠בֵ֣רֵאת֔⁠וֹ

Alternate translation: “you will clear the forest of trees” or “you will cut down its trees”

Joshua 18

Joshua 18 General Notes

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter is about the land given to the tribes of Israel. It will be difficult to fully understand their locations without a map. Further research may be needed to understand the locations of their land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 18:1

וְ⁠הָ⁠אָ֥רֶץ נִכְבְּשָׁ֖ה לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽם

They had conquered the people who lived in the land before they set up the tent of meeting. Alternate translation: “after they had conquered the land” (See: Order of Events)

Joshua 18:2

אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־חָלְק֖וּ אֶת־נַֽחֲלָתָ֑⁠ם

The land that the tribes would receive is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they would receive as a permanent possession. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to whom Joshua had not assigned land as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Joshua 18:3

עַד־אָ֨נָה֙ אַתֶּ֣ם מִתְרַפִּ֔ים לָ⁠בוֹא֙ לָ⁠רֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָ⁠כֶ֔ם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֽוֹתֵי⁠כֶֽם

Joshua asks this question in order to encourage the Israelites to take possession of the land. Alternate translation: “For long enough, you have put off … has given you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Joshua 18:4

וְ⁠יִֽתְהַלְּכ֥וּ בָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ

The words “up and down” mean in every direction. Alternate translation: “the land in every direction” or “throughout the land” (See: Idiom)

וְ⁠יִכְתְּב֥וּ אוֹתָ֛⁠הּ לְ⁠פִ֥י נַֽחֲלָתָ֖⁠ם

This means that they will describe the portions of land that each tribe would like to receive for an inheritance.

נַֽחֲלָתָ֖⁠ם

The land that they are to survey is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that each of the tribes would receive as a permanent possession. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 18:5

Joshua is continuing his speech to the children of Israel.

וְ⁠הִֽתְחַלְּק֥וּ אֹתָ֖⁠הּ

Alternate translation: “They will divide the land”

יְהוּדָ֞ה יַעֲמֹ֤ד

Alternate translation: “The tribe of Judah will remain”

וּ⁠בֵ֥ית יוֹסֵ֛ף

Here the word “house” represents the descendants of Joseph. The phrase refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Alternate translation: “the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 18:7

Joshua is continuing his speech to the children of Israel.

אֵֽין־חֵ֤לֶק

Alternate translation: “no portion of land”

כִּֽי־כְהֻנַּ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה נַחֲלָת֑⁠וֹ

Joshua speaks of the great honor that the Levites have by serving Yahweh as priests as if it were something that they inherited. Alternate translation: “for the priesthood of Yahweh is what they have” (See: Metaphor)

וַ⁠חֲצִי֩ שֵׁ֨בֶט הַֽ⁠מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה

Alternate translation: “half of the tribe of Manasseh”

לָקְח֣וּ נַחֲלָתָ֗⁠ם

The land that the tribes received is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “have received land as their inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 18:8

Joshua speaks to the twenty-one men who were to go look at the land.

וְ⁠הִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ בָ⁠אָ֜רֶץ

The words “up and down” mean in every direction. See how you translated this in Joshua 18:4. Alternate translation: “in every direction in the land” or “throughout the land” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 18:10

כְּ⁠מַחְלְקֹתָֽ⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to each tribe Joshua gave their portion in the land” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 18:11

בֵּ֚ין בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וּ⁠בֵ֖ין בְּנֵ֥י יוֹסֵֽף

Alternate translation: “between the land that belonged to the descendants of Judah and the land that belonged to the descendants of Joseph”

בְּנֵ֥י יוֹסֵֽף

This refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 18:12

בֵּ֥ית אָֽוֶן

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:13

ל֨וּזָ⁠ה֙…בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל…עַטְר֣וֹת אַדָּ֔ר…לְ⁠בֵית־חֹר֖וֹן

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:14

הַ⁠גְּבוּל֩

This refers to the same thing as “the border” in verse 13.

קִרְיַת־בַּ֨עַל֙…קִרְיַ֣ת יְעָרִ֔ים

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:15

קִרְיַ֣ת יְעָרִ֑ים…נֶפְתּֽוֹחַ

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:16

בֶן־הִנֹּ֔ם…רְפָאִ֖ים…הִנֹּ֜ם…עֵ֥ין רֹגֵֽל

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:17

עֵ֣ין שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ…גְּלִיל֔וֹת…אֲדֻמִּ֑ים

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶ֥בֶן בֹּ֖הַן

This was likely a large stone that someone set up as a landmark and named after the man, Bohan. See how you translated this in Joshua 15:6. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:18

כֶּ֥תֶף מוּל־הָֽ⁠עֲרָבָ֖ה

Land that is in the form of a slope or ridge is spoken of as if it were a shoulder. Alternate translation: “the slope of Beth Arabah” (See: Metaphor)

מוּל־הָֽ⁠עֲרָבָ֖ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:19

כֶּ֣תֶף בֵּית־חָגְלָה֮ צָפוֹנָ⁠ה֒

Land that is in the form of a slope or ridge is spoken of as if it were a shoulder. Alternate translation: “the north slope of Beth Hoglah” (See: Metaphor)

בֵּית־חָגְלָה֮

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:20

זֹ֡את נַחֲלַת֩ בְּנֵ֨י בִנְיָמִ֧ן

The land that the tribe of Benjamin received is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land that the tribe of Benjamin received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Joshua gave it to each of their clans” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 18:21

The writer lists the cities that were in the land that the tribe of Benjamin received as an inheritance. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 18:24

וְ⁠חַצְרֵי⁠הֶֽן

Alternate translation: “the villages around them”

Joshua 18:28

זֹ֛את נַֽחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־בִנְיָמִ֖ן

The land and cities that the tribe of Benjamin received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Benjamin received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19

Joshua 19 General Notes

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter is about the land given to the tribes of Israel. It will be difficult to fully understand their locations without a map. Further research may be needed to understand the locations of their land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 19:1

וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֞א הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֤ל הַ⁠שֵּׁנִי֙ לְ⁠שִׁמְע֔וֹן

Alternate translation: “The second time Joshua cast lots, the lot indicated the tribe of Simeon”

הַ⁠שֵּׁנִי֙

number two in a list (See: Ordinal Numbers)

לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחוֹתָ֑⁠ם

Alternate translation: “and Joshua assigned the land to each of their clans”

וַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ נַֽחֲלָתָ֔⁠ם בְּ⁠ת֖וֹךְ נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יְהוּדָֽה

The land is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribes received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “The land that they received as an inheritance was in the middle of the land that the tribe of Judah received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:2

The writer lists cities that were in the land that the tribe of Simeon received as an inheritance. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַ⁠יְהִ֥י לָ⁠הֶ֖ם בְּ⁠נַֽחֲלָתָ֑⁠ם

The land and cities that the tribe of Simeon received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “They had the following cities for their inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:5

וְ⁠צִֽקְלַ֥ג

See how you translated the name of this city in Joshua 15:31.

Joshua 19:8

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־שִׁמְע֖וֹן

The land and cities that the tribe of Simeon received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Simeon received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽ⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which Joshua gave to their clans” (See: Active or Passive)

Joshua 19:9

מֵ⁠חֶ֨בֶל֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the portion of land which Joshua assigned to the tribe of Judah” (See: Active or Passive)

בְּ⁠ת֥וֹךְ נַחֲלָתָֽ⁠ם

Alternate translation: “the middle of Judah’s portion of land”

Joshua 19:10

וַ⁠יַּ֨עַל֙ הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֣ל הַ⁠שְּׁלִישִׁ֔י

See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.

הַ⁠שְּׁלִישִׁ֔י

number three in a list (See: Ordinal Numbers)

שָׂרִֽיד

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:11

וּ⁠מַרְעֲלָ֖ה…בְּ⁠דַבָּ֑שֶׁת…יָקְנְעָֽם

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

עַל־פְּנֵ֥י יָקְנְעָֽם

Alternate translation: “across from Jokneam”

Joshua 19:12

מִ⁠שָּׂרִ֗יד…כִּסְלֹ֖ת תָּבֹ֑ר…הַ⁠דָּֽבְרַ֖ת…יָפִֽיעַ

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:13

גִּתָּ֥⁠ה חֵ֖פֶר עִתָּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין…רִמּ֥וֹן…הַ⁠נֵּעָֽה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:14

חַנָּתֹ֑ן…יִפְתַּח־אֵֽל

These are names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:15

וְ⁠קַטָּ֤ת וְ⁠נַֽהֲלָל֙ וְ⁠שִׁמְר֔וֹן וְ⁠יִדְאֲלָ֖ה וּ⁠בֵ֣ית לָ֑חֶם

These are names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

וּ⁠בֵ֣ית לָ֑חֶם

This is not the same “Bethlehem” that is south of Jerusalem in Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:16

זֹ֛את נַחֲלַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־זְבוּלֻ֖ן

The land and cities that the tribe of Zebulun received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Zebulun received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:17

יָצָ֖א הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֣ל הָֽ⁠רְבִיעִ֑י

See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.

הָֽ⁠רְבִיעִ֑י

number four in a list (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Joshua 19:18

וְ⁠הַ⁠כְּסוּלֹ֖ת וְ⁠שׁוּנֵֽם

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:19

וַ⁠חֲפָרַ֥יִם וְ⁠שִׁיאֹ֖ן וַ⁠אֲנָחֲרַֽת

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:20

וְ⁠הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֥ית וְ⁠קִשְׁי֖וֹן וָ⁠אָֽבֶץ

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:21

וְ⁠רֶ֧מֶת וְ⁠עֵין־גַּנִּ֛ים וְ⁠עֵ֥ין חַדָּ֖ה וּ⁠בֵ֥ית פַּצֵּֽץ

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:22

בְּ⁠תָב֤וֹר

This is the name of a mountain. (See: How to Translate Names)

ו⁠שחצומ⁠ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:23

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר

The land and cities that the tribe of Issachar received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Issachar received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:24

וַ⁠יֵּצֵא֙ הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֣ל הַֽ⁠חֲמִישִׁ֔י

See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.

הַֽ⁠חֲמִישִׁ֔י

number five in a list (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Joshua 19:25

חֶלְקַ֥ת וַ⁠חֲלִ֖י וָ⁠בֶ֥טֶן וְ⁠אַכְשָֽׁף

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:26

וְ⁠אַֽלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ וְ⁠עַמְעָ֖ד וּ⁠מִשְׁאָ֑ל…וּ⁠בְ⁠שִׁיח֖וֹר לִבְנָֽת

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:27

בֵּ֣ית דָּגֹן֒…וּ⁠בְ⁠גֵ֨י יִפְתַּח־אֵ֥ל…בֵּ֥ית הָעֵ֖מֶק וּ⁠נְעִיאֵ֑ל…כָּב֖וּל

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:28

וְ⁠עֶבְרֹ֥ן וּ⁠רְחֹ֖ב וְ⁠חַמּ֣וֹן וְ⁠קָנָ֑ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:29

חֹסָ֔ה…אַכְזִֽיבָ⁠ה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:30

וְ⁠עֻמָ֥ה וַ⁠אֲפֵ֖ק וּ⁠רְחֹ֑ב

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:31

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־אָשֵׁ֖ר

The land and cities that the tribe of Asher received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Asher received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:32

יָצָ֖א הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֣ל הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֑י

See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.

הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֑י

number six in a list (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Joshua 19:33

מֵ⁠חֵ֨לֶף…בְּ⁠צַעֲנַנִּ֗ים וַ⁠אֲדָמִ֥י הַנֶּ֛קֶב וְ⁠יַבְנְאֵ֖ל…לַקּ֑וּם

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:34

אַזְנ֣וֹת תָּב֔וֹר…חוּקֹ֑קָ⁠ה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:35

הַ⁠צִּדִּ֣ים צֵ֔ר וְ⁠חַמַּ֖ת רַקַּ֥ת וְ⁠כִנָּֽרֶת

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠חַמַּ֖ת

This is not the same location as “Hamath,” but is located on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Joshua 19:36

וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֥ה וְ⁠הָ⁠רָמָ֖ה וְ⁠חָצֽוֹר

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:37

וְ⁠קֶ֥דֶשׁ וְ⁠אֶדְרֶ֖עִי וְ⁠עֵ֥ין חָצֽוֹר

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:38

וְ⁠יִרְאוֹן֙ וּ⁠מִגְדַּל־אֵ֔ל חֳרֵ֥ם וּ⁠בֵית־עֲנָ֖ת וּ⁠בֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:39

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־נַפְתָּלִ֖י

The land and cities that the tribe of Naphtali received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Naphtali received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:40

יָצָ֖א הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֥ל הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי

See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.

הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי

number seven in a list (See: Ordinal Numbers)

Joshua 19:41

גְּב֣וּל נַחֲלָתָ֑⁠ם

The land that the tribe of Dan received is spoken of as if it was an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “The territory of land that the tribe of Dan received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

צָרְעָ֥ה וְ⁠אֶשְׁתָּא֖וֹל וְ⁠עִ֥יר שָֽׁמֶשׁ

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:42

וְ⁠שַֽׁעֲלַבִּ֥ין וְ⁠אַיָּל֖וֹן וְ⁠יִתְלָֽה

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:43

וְ⁠אֵיל֥וֹן וְ⁠תִמְנָ֖תָ⁠ה וְ⁠עֶקְרֽוֹן

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:44

וְ⁠אֶלְתְּקֵ֥ה וְ⁠גִבְּת֖וֹן וּ⁠בַעֲלָֽת

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:45

וִ⁠יהֻ֥ד וּ⁠בְנֵֽי־בְרַ֖ק וְ⁠גַת־רִמּֽוֹן

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:46

וּ⁠מֵ֥י הַיַּרְק֖וֹן וְ⁠הָֽ⁠רַקּ֑וֹן

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

מ֥וּל יָפֽוֹ

Alternate translation: “opposite Joppa” or “beside Joppa”

Joshua 19:47

לֶ֜שֶׁם

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:48

זֹ֗את נַחֲלַ֛ת מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־דָ֖ן

The land and cities that the tribe of Dan received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Dan received as an inheritance” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:49

וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֨וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל נַחֲלָ֛ה לִ⁠יהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בִּן־נ֖וּן בְּ⁠תוֹכָֽ⁠ם

The city that Joshua received is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that he received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “gave a city within their own land as an inheritance to Joshua son of Nun” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 19:50

אֶת־תִּמְנַת־סֶ֖רַח

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 19:51

אֵ֣לֶּה הַ⁠נְּחָלֹ֡ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִחֲל֣וּ

The land and cities that the various tribes received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “These are the portions of land and the cities … assigned as inheritances” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 20

Joshua 20 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Cities of Refuge

If a person was killed, it was the duty of his relatives to kill the killer. If the death was an accident, this would be unfair. Therefore, God told the Israelites to make cities of refuge for a person who killed someone accidentally. In the city where he sought refuge, his case would be solved legally: “Do this so that one who unintentionally kills a person can go there. These cities will be a place of refuge from anyone who seeks to avenge the blood of a person who was killed.” (See: refuge, refugee, shelter, sheltered and avenge, avenger, revenge, vengeance and blood)

Joshua 20:2

בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶֽׁה

Here “hand of Moses” refers to the scriptures that Moses wrote down. Alternate translation: “through the things that Moses wrote” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 20:3

מַכֵּה־נֶ֥פֶשׁ בִּ⁠שְׁגָגָ֖ה

This happens when a person accidentally kills another person, without intending to do so.

מִ⁠גֹּאֵ֖ל הַ⁠דָּֽם

Here the shed blood of a person represents their death. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “avenge a person’s death” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

Joshua 20:4

וְ⁠נָ֞ס

Here the word “he” refers to the person who unintentionally killed someone.

וְ⁠דִבֶּ֛ר בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֛י זִקְנֵ֥י־הָ⁠עִֽיר הַ⁠הִ֖יא אֶת־דְּבָרָ֑י⁠ו

“convince the elders of that city that he had not intentionally killed the person.

וְ⁠אָסְפ֨וּ אֹת֤⁠וֹ

The word “they” refers to the elders and “him” refers to the person who unintentionally killed someone.

וְ⁠יָשַׁ֥ב עִמָּֽ⁠ם

This refers to the city as a whole, not to the elders only.

Joshua 20:5

גֹּאֵ֤ל הַ⁠דָּם֙

Here the shed blood of a person represents their death. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. See how you translated this in Joshua 20:3. Alternate translation: “avenge a person’s death” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

בִ⁠בְלִי־דַ֨עַת֙ הִכָּ֣ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֔⁠הוּ

accidentally killed his neighbor

Joshua 20:6

עָמְד֞⁠וֹ לִ⁠פְנֵ֤י הָֽ⁠עֵדָה֙

This is a phrase that describes standing to seek justice from a court of the assembly of his fellow citizens.

Joshua 20:7

There are a lot of names in this section. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 20:8

לְ⁠יַרְדֵּ֤ן

This is a short name for the Jordan River.

Joshua 20:9

וְ⁠לֹ֣א יָמ֗וּת בְּ⁠יַד֙ גֹּאֵ֣ל הַ⁠דָּ֔ם

Here “by the hand” is an idiom that means to be the specific cause of something. Alternate translation: “would not be killed by the one” (See: Idiom)

גֹּאֵ֣ל הַ⁠דָּ֔ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. See how you translated a similar phrase in Joshua 20:3. Alternate translation: “avenge a person’s death” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

Joshua 21

Joshua 21 General Notes

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter is about the land given to the tribe of Levi. Even though they did not receive a large piece of land like the other tribes, they did receive small pieces of land to live on and for their animals. It will be difficult to fully understand their locations without a map. Further research may be needed to understand the locations of their land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Joshua 21:1

אֶלְעָזָר֙…נ֑וּן

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:2

וַ⁠יְדַבְּר֨וּ אֲלֵי⁠הֶ֜ם

Alternate translation: “The Levites said to them”

יְהוָה֙ צִוָּ֣ה בְ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה

The phrase “by the hand of” is an idiom that means that Yahweh used Moses to deliver his command. Alternate translation: “Yahweh told Moses to command you” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 21:3

אֶת־הֶ⁠עָרִ֥ים

This refers to the cities to be listed in the next verses.

Joshua 21:4

וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֥א הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֖ל

A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader’s will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.

הַ⁠קְּהָתִ֑י

This priests in this group were descendants of Levi’s son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath’s grandson. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:5

וּ⁠מֵ⁠חֲצִ֨י

Half the tribe because the other half received their inheritance before crossing the Jordan River.

Joshua 21:6

גֵרְשׁ֗וֹן

Gershon was one of the sons of Levi. (See: How to Translate Names)

בַּ⁠גּוֹרָ֔ל

A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader’s will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.

Joshua 21:7

מְרָרִ֜י

Merari was one of the sons of Levi. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:8

צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה

The phrase “by the hand of” here means that Yahweh used Moses as the agent to deliver his command. Alternate translation: “Yahweh had told Moses to command” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 21:10

מִ⁠מִּשְׁפְּח֥וֹת הַ⁠קְּהָתִ֖י

The priests in this group were descendants of Levi’s son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath’s grandson. See how you translated this in Joshua 21:2. (See: How to Translate Names)

הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֖ל

A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader’s will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.

Joshua 21:11

אַרְבַּ֨ע אֲבִ֧י הָֽ⁠עֲנ֛וֹק

This is background information about the name of the man who founded the city of Kiriath Arba. (See: Background Information)

הָֽ⁠עֲנ֛וֹק

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

בְּ⁠הַ֣ר

An area of land with natural elevations, smaller than mountains.

מִגְרָשֶׁ֖⁠הָ

An area covered with grass or plants suitable for the grazing of livestock or cattle.

Joshua 21:12

שְׂדֵ֥ה הָ⁠עִ֖יר

Areas of open land, usually, planted with crops, belonging to and surrounding the city.

חֲצֵרֶ֑י⁠הָ

Small communities, usually smaller than a town.

Joshua 21:13

לִבְנָ֖ה

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:14

יַתִּר֙…אֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ

These are all names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:15

חֹלֹן֙…דְּבִ֖ר

These are all names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:16

עַ֣יִן…יֻטָּה֙

These are all names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:17

וּ⁠מִ⁠מַּטֵּ֣ה בִנְיָמִ֔ן

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The tribe of Benjamin gave Gibeon” (See: Active or Passive)

אֶת־גֶּ֖בַע

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:18

אֶת־עֲנָתוֹת֙…עַלְמ֖וֹן

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:19

שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה עָרִ֖ים

“13 cities” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 21:20

וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּח֤וֹת בְּנֵֽי־קְהָת֙

The priests in this group were descendants of Levi’s son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath’s grandson. (See: How to Translate Names)

וַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ עָרֵ֣י גֽוֹרָלָ֔⁠ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they received cities” (See: Active or Passive)

גֽוֹרָלָ֔⁠ם

A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader’s will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.

Joshua 21:21

גֶּ֖זֶר

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:22

קִבְצַ֨יִם֙…בֵּ֥ית חוֹרֹ֖ן

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע

This refers to the list by the total number. (See: Numbers)

Joshua 21:23

וּ⁠מִ⁠מַּ֨טֵּה־דָ֔ן

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The tribe of Dan gave to the clan of Kohath Eltekeh” (See: Active or Passive)

אֶֽת־אֶלְתְּקֵ֖א…גִּבְּת֖וֹן

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:24

אֶת־אַיָּלוֹן֙…אֶת־גַּת־רִמּ֖וֹן

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע

This refers to the number of cities. (See: Numbers)

Joshua 21:25

וּ⁠מִֽ⁠מַּחֲצִית֙ מַטֵּ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה אֶת־תַּעְנַךְ֙

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The half tribe of Manasseh gave to the clan of Kohath Taanach” (See: Active or Passive)

אֶת־תַּעְנַךְ֙…גַּת־רִמּ֖וֹן

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:26

לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת בְּנֵֽי־קְהָ֖ת

The priests in this group were descendants of Levi’s son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath’s grandson. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:27

אֶת־גּוֹלָ֤ן…אֶֽת־בְּעֶשְׁתְּרָ֖ה

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

הָ⁠רֹצֵ֔חַ

This refers to a death resulting from an action not intended to harm a person.

עָרִ֖ים שְׁתָּֽיִם

number of cities (See: Numbers)

Joshua 21:28

אֶת־קִשְׁי֖וֹן…אֶת־דָּֽבְרַ֖ת

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:29

אֶת־יַרְמוּת֙…עֵ֥ין גַּנִּ֖ים

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:30

וּ⁠מִ⁠מַּטֵּ֣ה אָשֵׁ֔ר אֶת־מִשְׁאָ֖ל

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “They received from the tribe of Asher Mishal” (See: Active or Passive)

אֶת־מִשְׁאָ֖ל…אֶת־עַבְדּ֖וֹ

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:31

אֶת־חֶלְקָת֙…רְחֹ֖ב

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:32

חַמֹּ֥ת דֹּאר֙…קַרְתָּ֖ן

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:33

שְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה עִ֖יר

“13 cities in total” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 21:34

וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת בְּנֵֽי־מְרָרִי֮ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֣ם הַ⁠נּוֹתָרִים֒ מֵ⁠אֵת֙ מַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן אֶֽת־יָקְנְעָ֖ם

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: The rest of the Levites—the clans of Merari—received from the tribe of Zebulun Jokneam” (See: Active or Passive)

מְרָרִי֮

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶֽת־יָקְנְעָ֖ם…אֶת־קַרְתָּ֖ה

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:35

אֶת־דִּמְנָה֙…אֶֽת־נַהֲלָ֖ל

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:36

אֶת־בֶּ֖צֶר…וְ⁠אֶת־יַ֖הְצָ⁠ה

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:37

עָרִ֖ים אַרְבַּֽע

This refers to the total number of cities. (See: Numbers)

אֶת־קְדֵמוֹת֙…מֵיפָ֖עַת

names of cities (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:38

אֶת־רָמֹ֥ת…מַחֲנַ֖יִם

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:39

אֶת־חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙…אֶת־יַעְזֵ֖ר

These are names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 21:40

עָרִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵֽה

“12 cities in total” (See: Numbers)

וַ⁠יְהִי֙ גּוֹרָלָ֔⁠ם עָרִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵֽה

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they received these twelve cities by the casting of lots” (See: Active or Passive)

גּוֹרָלָ֔⁠ם

A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader’s will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.

Joshua 21:41

כֹּ֚ל עָרֵ֣י הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם בְּ⁠ת֖וֹךְ אֲחֻזַּ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Levites received their cities from the middle of the land” (See: Active or Passive)

עָרִ֛ים אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה

“48 cities” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 21:43

נִשְׁבַּ֖ע

Alternate translation: “he gave an oath”

Joshua 21:44

וְ⁠לֹא־עָ֨מַד אִ֤ישׁ בִּ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶם֙ מִ⁠כָּל־אֹ֣יְבֵי⁠הֶ֔ם

This is stated in a negative way to strengthen the statement. Alternate translation: “They defeated every one of their enemies” (See: Litotes)

אֵ֚ת כָּל־אֹ֣יְבֵי⁠הֶ֔ם נָתַ֥ן יְהוָ֖ה בְּ⁠יָדָֽ⁠ם

Here “into their hand” means “into their power.” Alternate translation: “gave them power to defeat all their enemies” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 21:45

לֹֽא־נָפַ֣ל דָּבָ֔ר מִ⁠כֹּל֙ הַ⁠דָּבָ֣ר הַ⁠טּ֔וֹב אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

This is stated in a negative way to strengthen the statement. Alternate translation: “Every one of the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel came true” (See: Litotes)

Joshua 22

Joshua 22 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The division of the land is completed in this chapter. Additionally, the soldiers who received land on the east side of the Jordan River were released to go home.

Special concepts in this chapter

The tribes east of the Jordan River build a monument

The tribes east of the Jordan River said, “Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offerings nor for any sacrifices, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we will perform the service of Yahweh before him, with our burnt offerings and with our sacrifices and with our peace offerings, so that your children will never say to our children in time to come, ‘You have no share in Yahweh.’” They went home even though the Israelites had not fully conquered the land.

Joshua 22:1

לָ⁠רֽאוּבֵנִ֖י

people of the tribe of Reuben (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠לַ⁠גָּדִ֑י

people of the tribe of Gad (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 22:2

וַ⁠תִּשְׁמְע֣וּ בְ⁠קוֹלִ֔⁠י

Here “my voice” refers to the things that Joshua had said. Alternate translation: “obeyed everything I said” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 22:3

לֹֽא־עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ם אֶת־אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֗ם

This can be stated in a positive way. Alternate translation: “You have remained with your brothers” (See: Litotes)

Joshua 22:5

וְ⁠לָ⁠לֶ֧כֶת בְּ⁠כָל־דְּרָכָ֛י⁠ו

A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if he were walking on Yahweh’s ways or roads. Alternate translation: “to obey everything he says” (See: Metaphor)

בְּ⁠כָל־לְבַבְ⁠כֶ֖ם וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־נַפְשְׁ⁠כֶֽם

The terms “heart” and “soul” are here used together to refer to the entire person. Alternate translation: “with all you think and feel” or “with your entire being” (See: Synecdoche)

Joshua 22:7

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֖ן

This was a short name for the Jordan River.

Joshua 22:8

וּ⁠בְ⁠בַרְזֶ֛ל

a strong, hard, magnetic metal

שְׁלַל

The winning army would take everything of value from the people they conquered.

Joshua 22:9

פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶֽׁה

The phrase “by the hand of” is an idiom that means that Yahweh used Moses to deliver his command. Alternate translation: “the commandment that Yahweh told Moses to give to you” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 22:10

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן

This was a short name for the Jordan River.

Joshua 22:11

אֶל־מוּל֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן

The Israelite tribes who lived across the Jordan River would enter Canaan at the place where they built the altar. This place is spoken of as if it was the “front” or “entrance” to Canaan where the other tribes lived. Alternate translation: “at the entrance to the land of Canaan” (See: Metaphor)

גְּלִילוֹת֙

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 22:12

לַ⁠צָּבָֽא

a state of armed conflict between two nations or people groups

Joshua 22:13

אֶלְעָזָ֥ר

name of man (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 22:16

כֹּ֣ה אָמְר֞וּ כֹּ֣ל׀ עֲדַ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה

All the people of Israel are spoken of together in the singular as if they were one person. Alternate translation: “All the other Israelites are asking”

Joshua 22:17

הַ⁠מְעַט־לָ֨⁠נוּ֙ אֶת־עֲוֺ֣ן פְּע֔וֹר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־הִטַּהַ֨רְנוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔⁠נּוּ עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה

This question emphasizes how serious their previous sin was. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We had already sinned terribly at Peor!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

פְּע֔וֹר

This is name of a place. Translate the same way as in Joshua 13:20. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־הִטַּהַ֨רְנוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔⁠נּוּ

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “we are still dealing with the guilt of that sin” (See: Litotes)

Joshua 22:20

עָכָ֣ן…זֶ֗רַח

names of men (See: How to Translate Names)

הֲ⁠ל֣וֹא׀ עָכָ֣ן בֶּן־זֶ֗רַח מָ֤עַל מַ֨עַל֙ בַּ⁠חֵ֔רֶם

These questions are used to remind the people of the punishment for past sins. These questions can be written as statements. Alternate translation: “Achan son of Zerah sinned by taking things that had been reserved for God. And because of that God punished all the people of Israel!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Joshua 22:22

אִם־בְּ⁠מֶ֤רֶד וְ⁠אִם־בְּ⁠מַ֨עַל֙ בַּֽ⁠יהוָ֔ה אַל־תּוֹשִׁיעֵ֖⁠נוּ הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

The three tribes are making a hypothetical statement that they insist is not true. They did not build the altar in rebellion or breach of faith. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Joshua 22:23

לִ⁠בְנ֥וֹת לָ֨⁠נוּ֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לָ⁠שׁ֖וּב מֵ⁠אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְ⁠אִם־לְ⁠הַעֲל֨וֹת עָלָ֜י⁠ו עוֹלָ֣ה וּ⁠מִנְחָ֗ה וְ⁠אִם־לַ⁠עֲשׂ֤וֹת עָלָי⁠ו֙ זִבְחֵ֣י שְׁלָמִ֔ים יְהוָ֖ה ה֥וּא יְבַקֵּֽשׁ

The three tribes are making a hypothetical statement that they insist is not true. They did not build the altar to worship another god. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Joshua 22:24

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh now give their answer.

יֹאמְר֨וּ בְנֵי⁠כֶ֤ם לְ⁠בָנֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר מַה־לָּ⁠כֶ֕ם וְ⁠לַֽ⁠יהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

This is a hypothetical accusation that the three tribes think the children of the other tribes may make sometime in the future. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

מַה־לָּ⁠כֶ֕ם וְ⁠לַֽ⁠יהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

The three tribes use this rhetorical question to emphasize the situation they are trying to avoid. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have nothing to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Joshua 22:25

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh continue their answer.

וּ⁠גְב֣וּל נָֽתַן־יְ֠הוָה בֵּינֵ֨⁠נוּ וּ⁠בֵינֵי⁠כֶ֜ם בְּנֵי־רְאוּבֵ֤ן וּ⁠בְנֵי־גָד֙ אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן אֵין־לָ⁠כֶ֥ם חֵ֖לֶק בַּֽ⁠יהוָ֑ה

This is the continuation of the hypothetical accusation that the three tribes think the children of the other tribes may make sometime in the future. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן

This is a short name for the Jordan River.

וְ⁠הִשְׁבִּ֤יתוּ בְנֵי⁠כֶם֙ אֶת־בָּנֵ֔י⁠נוּ לְ⁠בִלְתִּ֖י יְרֹ֥א אֶת־יְהוָֽה

The three tribes built the altar to avoid this hypothetical situation from happening in the future. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Joshua 22:26

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh now give their answer.

Joshua 22:27

עֵ֨ד ה֜וּא בֵּינֵ֣י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בֵינֵי⁠כֶ֗ם

The altar is spoken of as if it were a witness that could testify to the rights of the three tribes. (See: Metaphor)

וְ⁠לֹא־יֹאמְר֨וּ בְנֵי⁠כֶ֤ם מָחָר֙ לְ⁠בָנֵ֔י⁠נוּ אֵין־לָ⁠כֶ֥ם חֵ֖לֶק בַּ⁠יהוָֽה

This is the hypothetical situation that the three tribes did not want to happen. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

אֵין־לָ⁠כֶ֥ם חֵ֖לֶק

Alternate translation: “no portion” or “no inheritance”

Joshua 22:28

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh now finish their answer.

וְ⁠הָיָ֗ה כִּֽי־יֹאמְר֥וּ אֵלֵ֛י⁠נוּ וְ⁠אֶל־דֹּרֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ מָחָ֑ר וְ⁠אָמַ֡רְנוּ רְא֣וּ אֶת־תַּבְנִית֩ מִזְבַּ֨ח יְהוָ֜ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשׂ֣וּ אֲבוֹתֵ֗י⁠נוּ לֹ֤א לְ⁠עוֹלָה֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א לְ⁠זֶ֔בַח כִּי־עֵ֣ד ה֔וּא בֵּינֵ֖י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בֵינֵי⁠כֶֽם

The three tribes are describing their potential answer to an accusation that might or might not be made at a future time. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

Joshua 22:29

חָלִילָ⁠ה֩ לָּ֨⁠נוּ מִמֶּ֜⁠נּוּ לִ⁠מְרֹ֣ד

The unlikely chance that they would rebel is spoken of as if it is something that is a great distance away from them. Alternate translation: “We would certainly not rebel” (See: Idiom)

וְ⁠לָ⁠שׁ֤וּב הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ מֵ⁠אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה

To stop following Yahweh is spoken of as if they were turning away from him. Alternate translation: “stop following him” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 22:30

וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֞ע…אֶת־הַ֨⁠דְּבָרִ֔ים

Alternate translation: “heard the message”

וַ⁠יִּיטַ֖ב בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠הֶֽם

Here “in their eyes” means “in their opinion.” (See: Idiom)

Joshua 22:31

לֹֽא־מְעַלְתֶּ֥ם בַּֽ⁠יהוָ֖ה הַ⁠מַּ֣עַל הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה

Alternate translation: “broken your promise to him”

הִצַּלְתֶּ֛ם אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִ⁠יַּ֥ד יְהוָֽה

Here “the hand of Yahweh” refers to his punishment. Protecting the people is spoken of as rescuing them from his hand. Alternate translation: “you have kept Yahweh from punishing us” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 22:33

וַ⁠יִּיטַ֣ב הַ⁠דָּבָ֗ר בְּ⁠עֵינֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

Here “good in the eyes” means “accepted.” Alternate translation: “The people accepted the report of the leaders” (See: Idiom)

לְ⁠שַׁחֵת֙ אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ

Alternate translation: “destroy everything in the land”

Joshua 22:34

עֵ֥ד הוּא֙ בֵּֽינֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ

The altar is spoken of as if it were a witness that could testify for the three tribes. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 23

Joshua 23 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Joshua’s final words to Israel (Joshua 23-24)

“Do not marry with the heathen people but drive them out.” ##### Drive them out The Israelites were to completely drive out the Canaanites. If they did not drive them out completely, the Canaanites would cause the Israelites to worship other gods. It was sinful to allow the Canaanites to remain in the land because if the Israelites married the Canaanites, the Canaanites would cause them to worship other gods. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Joshua 23:2

זָקַ֔נְתִּי בָּ֖אתִי בַּ⁠יָּמִֽים

This doublet can be translated as “very old.” (See: Doublet)

Joshua 23:4

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֗ן

This is a short name for the Jordan River.

מְב֥וֹא הַ⁠שָּֽׁמֶשׁ

This indicates the direction of the setting sun.

Joshua 23:6

לְ⁠בִלְתִּ֥י סוּר־מִמֶּ֖⁠נּוּ יָמִ֥ין וּ⁠שְׂמֹֽאול

Disobeying the commands of the law of Moses is spoken of as turning to the right or to the left away from a path. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 23:7

לְ⁠בִלְתִּי־בוֹא֙ בַּ⁠גּוֹיִ֣ם הָ⁠אֵ֔לֶּה

Possible meanings are 1) having close friendship with them or 2) intermarrying with them.

תַזְכִּ֨ירוּ֙

to speak of

אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶ֤ם

This refers to the gods of the remaining nations.

Joshua 23:8

בַּ⁠יהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠כֶ֖ם תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ

“hold tightly to Yahweh.” Believing in Yahweh is spoken of as if they were holding tightly onto him. Alternate translation: “continue to believe in Yahweh” (See: Metaphor)

עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה

Alternate translation: “until the present time”

Joshua 23:9

לֹא־עָ֤מַד אִישׁ֙ בִּ⁠פְנֵי⁠כֶ֔ם

Here “stand” represents holding ground in a battle. The word “you” refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Metonymy and Forms of You)

Joshua 23:10

אֶחָ֥ד

only one

אָ֑לֶף

“1,000” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 23:12

וּ⁠דְבַקְתֶּם֙ בְּ⁠יֶ֨תֶר֙ הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֣ם הָ⁠אֵ֔לֶּה

Accepting the beliefs of these nations is spoken of as holding tightly to them. Alternate translation: “accept the beliefs of the survivors of these nations” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 23:13

לְ⁠פַ֣ח וּ⁠לְ⁠מוֹקֵ֗שׁ

The words “snare” and “trap” mean basically the same thing. Together they speak of the other nations as if they were a deadly trap that will cause trouble for Israel. (See: Doublet and Metaphor)

וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁטֵ֤ט בְּ⁠צִדֵּי⁠כֶם֙ וְ⁠לִ⁠צְנִנִ֣ים בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠כֶ֔ם

These phrases speak of the troubles these nations will cause Israel as if they were as painful as whips and thorns. (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 23:14

אָנֹכִ֤י הוֹלֵךְ֙ הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם בְּ⁠דֶ֖רֶךְ כָּל־הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ

Joshua uses a polite term to refer to his death. Alternate translation: “I am going to die” (See: Euphemism)

וִ⁠ידַעְתֶּ֞ם בְּ⁠כָל־לְבַבְ⁠כֶ֣ם וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־נַפְשְׁ⁠כֶ֗ם

Here the words “hearts” and “souls” have similar meanings. Together they emphasize deep personal knowledge. (See: Doublet)

לֹֽא־נָפַל֩ דָּבָ֨ר אֶחָ֜ד

These words emphasize that Yahweh’s promises have all occurred. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “every word has come true” (See: Double Negatives and Parallelism)

Joshua 23:16

וַ⁠עֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְ⁠הִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָ⁠הֶ֑ם

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second describes how the people “worship other gods.” (See: Parallelism)

וְ⁠חָרָ֤ה אַף־יְהוָה֙ בָּ⁠כֶ֔ם

“Kindled” here is a metaphor for the beginning of Yahweh’s anger, like a fire is “kindled” or started with “kindling” or very easy to start burning like dried grass or small twigs. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will begin to be angry with you” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 24

Joshua 24 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Joshua’s instructions

In this chapter, Joshua gives the leaders and people instructions in preparation for his death. It was common in the Ancient Near East for important leaders to do this. Unfortunately, the people of Israel did not listen to Joshua’s instructions.

Joshua 24:1

וַ⁠יֶּאֶסֹ֧ף יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶת־כָּל־שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

Joshua’s summons to the tribes is spoken of as if he gathered them together in a basket. Alternate translation: “Joshua asked all the tribes of Israel to meet with him” (See: Metaphor)

וַ⁠יִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י

Alternate translation: “came and stood in front of” or “came before”

Joshua 24:2

מֵֽ⁠עוֹלָ֔ם

Alternate translation: “many years ago”

כֹּֽה־אָמַ֣ר

Joshua begins to quote what Yahweh had said previously. The quotation continues until the end of verse 13.

תֶּ֛רַח…נָח֑וֹר

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 24:4

שֵׂעִיר֙

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

יָרְד֥וּ

Egypt was lower in elevation that the land of Canaan. Alternate translation: “traveled”

Joshua 24:5

הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶתְ⁠כֶֽם

The word “you” is plural and refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 24:6

וָֽ⁠אוֹצִ֤יא אֶת־אֲבֽוֹתֵי⁠כֶם֙

The word “your” is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 24:7

וַ⁠יִּצְעֲק֣וּ…בֵּינֵי⁠כֶ֣ם

Yahweh continually alternates between these two phrases, which both refer to all the Israelites, past and present. The word “you” is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

אֶת־הַ⁠יָּם֙

This refers to the Sea of Reeds.

בַ⁠מִּדְבָּ֖ר

an uninhabited area, a desert

Joshua 24:8

אֶתְ⁠כֶ֗ם

The word “you” is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן

This is a short name for the Jordan River.

וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֨ן אוֹתָ֤⁠ם בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶם֙

Here “hand” refers to power. Alternate translation: “enabled you to conquer them” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 24:9

בָּלָ֤ק…צִפּוֹר֙

men’s names (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶתְ⁠כֶֽם

The word “you” is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

Joshua 24:10

וָ⁠אַצִּ֥ל אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם מִ⁠יָּדֽ

Here “hand” refers to power. Alternate translation: “enabled you to overcome him” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 24:11

וַ⁠תַּעַבְר֣וּ

The word “you” is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel. (See: Forms of You)

אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֮

This is a short name for the Jordan River.

Joshua 24:12

אֶת־הַ⁠צִּרְעָ֔ה

A small fast flying stinging insect that lives in colonies. Here, many “hornets” are spoken of as only one.

Joshua 24:13

Joshua finishes quoting what Yahweh said about his dealings with his people.

Joshua 24:15

וְ⁠אִם֩ רַ֨ע בְּֽ⁠עֵינֵי⁠כֶ֜ם

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or desire. Alternate translation: “If you do not want” (See: Metaphor)

וּ⁠בֵיתִ֔⁠י

This represents his family that lives in his house. Alternate translation: “my family” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 24:17

אֹתָ֧⁠נוּ וְ⁠אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ

The people speak as if they were present with their ancestors, and interchange the words “us” and “we” with “our ancestors.” (See: Pronouns)

מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֑ים

Here “house” is an idiom that refers to the location of their slavery. Alternate translation: “place where we were slaves” (See: Idiom)

הָֽ⁠עַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָבַ֖רְנוּ

Alternate translation: “nations that we passed through”

Joshua 24:19

הָ⁠עָ֗ם

This refers to the Israelites.

אֵֽל־קַנּ֣וֹא ה֔וּא

God wants his people to worship only him.

Joshua 24:20

וְ⁠שָׁ֨ב…וְ⁠כִלָּ֣ה אֶתְ⁠כֶ֔ם

Yahweh’s anger is spoken of as if he was a fire that would destroy them. Alternate translation: “He will destroy you as with fire” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 24:21

הָ⁠עָ֖ם

This refers to the Israelites.

Joshua 24:23

וְ⁠הַטּוּ֙ אֶת־לְבַבְ⁠כֶ֔ם אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה

Deciding to obey Yahweh only is spoken of as turning their heart towards him. Here “heart” represents the whole person. In this case, “heart” is plural because it refers to all the Israelites as a single group. However, it may be best to translate it in the plural since “your” is plural. Alternate translation: “turn yourselves to Yahweh” or “decide to obey Yahweh” (See: Metaphor and Synecdoche and Forms of You)

Joshua 24:24

הָ⁠עָ֖ם

This refers to the Israelites.

וּ⁠בְ⁠קוֹל֖⁠וֹ נִשְׁמָֽע

Here “listen” means to obey. Alternate translation: “We will obey everything he tells us to do” (See: Metonymy)

Joshua 24:25

וַ⁠יָּ֥שֶׂם ל֛⁠וֹ חֹ֥ק וּ⁠מִשְׁפָּ֖ט

Establishing laws is spoken of as if Joshua physically set them in place like monuments. Alternate translation: “He established decrees and laws” or “He gave them laws and decrees to obey” (See: Metaphor)

Joshua 24:26

בְּ⁠סֵ֖פֶר תּוֹרַ֣ת אֱלֹהִ֑ים

This appears to be a continuation of the writings of Moses.

וַ⁠יְקִימֶ֣⁠הָ שָּׁ֔ם

Alternate translation: “placed it there”

Joshua 24:27

הָ⁠עָ֗ם

This refers to the Israelites.

הָ⁠אֶ֤בֶן הַ⁠זֹּאת֙ תִּֽהְיֶה־בָּ֣⁠נוּ לְ⁠עֵדָ֔ה כִּֽי־הִ֣יא שָׁמְעָ֗ה אֵ֚ת כָּל־אִמְרֵ֣י

The stone that Joshua set up is spoken of as if it were a person who heard what was spoken and would be able to testify about what was said. (See: Personification)

פֶּֽן־תְּכַחֲשׁ֖וּ⁠ן

Alternate translation: “if you ever”

Joshua 24:29

בֶּן־מֵאָ֥ה וָ⁠עֶ֖שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים

“one hundred and ten years old” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 24:30

בְּ⁠תִמְנַת־סֶ֖רַח…לְ⁠הַר־גָּֽעַשׁ

names of places (See: How to Translate Names)

Joshua 24:31

כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ

This is an idiom that refers to Joshua’s entire life. (See: Idiom)

הֶאֱרִ֤יכוּ יָמִים֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ

Alternate translation: “lived longer than Joshua”

Joshua 24:32

עַצְמ֣וֹת י֠וֹסֵף…קָבְר֣וּ בִ⁠שְׁכֶם֒

It may be helpful to change the order of the beginning of this sentence. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel brought the bones of Joseph up out of Egypt and buried them at Shechem”

בְּ⁠מֵאָ֣ה קְשִׂיטָ֑ה

“100 pieces” (See: Numbers)

Joshua 24:33

וְ⁠אֶלְעָזָ֥ר

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

בְּ⁠גִבְעַת֙

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)