Joshua 7:9 Meaning and Explanation
“For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Joshua fears the surrounding nations will hear, encircle Israel, and blot out its name, and he appeals to the honor of God's own great name.
What Does Joshua 7:9 Mean?
Joshua imagines the news spreading: the Canaanites will take heart, surround Israel, and erase them. Then comes the turn that lifts his prayer above mere self-pity. He appeals to God's reputation: 'what wilt thou do unto thy great name?' If Israel perishes, the glory of the LORD among the nations seems to perish with them.
This is intercession at its best, learned from Moses before him. The deepest prayers move from our survival to God's honor, asking Him to act for the sake of His own name. It points forward to the heart of all true prayer, that God's name be hallowed. Even in confusion, Joshua reaches for the one motive heaven never refuses: the glory of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 7:9
What does Joshua 7:9 mean?
Joshua fears the surrounding nations will hear, encircle Israel, and blot out its name, and he appeals to the honor of God's own great name.