Joshua 23:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Years after the conquest, with Israel at rest from its enemies, Joshua has grown old and approaches the end of his life.
What Does Joshua 23:1 Mean?
The wars of settlement are behind Israel now, and a long, quiet season has passed. The land that God swore to give has become a place of rest, and the leader who carried the people across the Jordan and through the fighting is an old man. This verse opens Joshua's farewell, spoken to the nation before he dies.
Rest is one of Scripture's great gifts, a sign that God keeps His word. The promised land at peace points forward to the deeper rest Christ offers the weary, a stillness no battle can take away. That Joshua now ages and prepares to depart reminds us every leader is mortal; the Lord who fought for Israel remains when His servants are gone.
Joshua 23:1 in the Original Language
nuach (נוּחַ), 'rest' -- to settle down in security and peace, free from threat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 23:1
What does Joshua 23:1 mean?
Years after the conquest, with Israel at rest from its enemies, Joshua has grown old and approaches the end of his life.