Joshua 18:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Joshua presses the slow tribes: how long will they delay to take the land God has already given them?
What Does Joshua 18:3 Mean?
Joshua sees the seven tribes hesitating and challenges them directly. The land has already been given by the LORD God of their fathers; the only thing lacking is their willingness to go up and possess it.
His question searches the heart of every delay. The gift is settled, but slackness leaves it untouched. God's grace does not override the call to step forward in faith; the promise is meant to be entered, not merely admired from the edge. The same gentle rebuke meets all who linger short of what God has freely offered.
Joshua 18:3 in the Original Language
raphah (רָפָה), 'slack' -- to be loose, slack, or to let the hands drop; the picture is of strength going limp.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 18:3
What does Joshua 18:3 mean?
Joshua presses the slow tribes: how long will they delay to take the land God has already given them?