Joshua's Commission
Joshua 1
After the death of Moses, the Lord speaks to Joshua and commands him to lead the people across the Jordan into the land, promising to be with him as he was with Moses if he is strong, courageous, and obedient to the law. Joshua charges the people to prepare to cross, and the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasse pledge to go armed before their brethren and to obey him.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAFTER the death of Moses, the Lord spoke to Joshua, son of Naue, the lieutenant of Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd it came to pass after the death of Moses, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Naue, the minister of Moses, saying,
GreekΚΑΙ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὴν τελευτὴν Μωυσῆ, εἶπε Κύριος τῷ Ἰησοῖ υἱῷ Ναυῆ τῷ ὑπουργῷ Μωυσῆ, λέγων,
KJVNow after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
JPSNow it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying:
2
ThomsonMy servant Moses is dead, now therefore arise, and cross the Jordan, thou and all the people, into the land which I give them.
BrentonMoses my servant is dead; now then arise, go over Jordan, thou and all this people, into the land, which I give them.
GreekΜωυσῆς ὁ θεράπωνμου τετελεύτηκε. νῦν οὖν ἀναστὰς, διάβηθι τὸν Ἰορδάνην σὺ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς οὗτος εἰς τὴν γῆν, ἣν ἐγὼ δίδωμι αὐτοῖς.
KJVMoses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
JPS’Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3
ThomsonEvery place, on which you tread with the sole of your feet, I will give you, as I said to Moses.
BrentonEvery spot on which ye shall tread I will give it you, as I said to Moses.
Greekπᾶς ὁ τόπος ἐφʼ ὃν ἂν ἐπιβῆτε τῷ ἴχνει τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν, ὑμῖν δώσω αὐτόν, ὃν τρόπον εἴρηκα τῷ Μωυσῇ·
KJVEvery place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
JPSEvery place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spoke unto Moses.
4
ThomsonThe wilderness, and yonder over against Lebanon to the river, the great river Euphrates, and to the farthest sea, at the setting of the sun, shall be your boundaries.
BrentonThe wilderness and Antilibanus, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, and as far as the extremity of the sea; your coasts shall be from the setting of the sun.
GreekΤὴν ἔρημον καὶ τὸν Ἀντιλίβανον, ἕως τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου, ποταμοῦ Εὐφράτου, καὶ ἕως τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς ἐσχάτης· ἀφʼ ἡλίου δυσμῶν ἔσται τὰ ὅρια ὑμῶν.
KJVFrom the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
JPSFrom the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.
5
ThomsonNot a man shall withstand you all the days of thy life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
BrentonNot a man shall stand against you all the days of thy life; and as I was with Moses, so will I also be with thee, and I will not fail thee, or neglect thee.
Greekοὐκ ἀντιστήσεται ἄνθρωπος κατενώπιον ὑμῶν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς σου· καὶ ὥσπερ ἤμην μετὰ Μωυσῆ, οὕτως ἔσομαι καὶ μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψω σε οὐδʼ ὑπερόψομαί σε.
KJVThere shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
JPSThere shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6
ThomsonBe strong and of good courage; for thou shalt parcel out to this people the land, which I solemnly promised their fathers to give to them.
BrentonBe strong and quit thyself like a man, for thou shalt divide the land to this people, which I sware to give to your fathers.
GreekἼσχυε καὶ ἀνδρίζου· σὺ γὰρ ἀποδιεῖς τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ τὴν γῆν, ἣν ὤμοσα τοῖς πατράσινν ὑμῶν δοῦναι αὐτοῖς.
KJVBe strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
JPSBe strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I swore unto their fathers to give them.
7
ThomsonTherefore be strong, and courageous, to watch, and to do as My servant Moses commanded. Thou must not deviate from them, to the right or to the left.
BrentonBe strong, therefore, and quit thyself like a man, to observe and do as Moses my servant commanded thee; and thou shalt not turn therefrom to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest be wise in whatsoever thou mayest do.
GreekἼσχυε οὖν καὶ ἀνδρίζου, φυλάσσεσθαι καὶ ποιεῖν καθότι ἐνετείλατό σοι Μωυσῆς ὁ παῖς μου· καὶ οὐκ ἐκκλινεῖς ἀπʼ αὐτῶν εἰς δεξιὰ οὐδὲ εἰς ἀριστερὰ, ἵνα συνῇς ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς ἐὰν πράσσῃς.
KJVOnly be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
JPSOnly be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.
8
ThomsonThat thou mayst clearly understand all that thou art to do, the book of the Law must never be out of thy mouth. Thou must study it day and night, that thou mayst know how to do all that are written. Then shalt thou be prospered; and thou wilt make thy ways prosperous; and then thou shalt have a good understanding.
BrentonAnd the book of this law shall not depart out of thy mouth, and thou shalt meditate in it day and night, that thou mayest know how to do all the things that are written in it; then shalt thou prosper, and make thy ways prosperous, and then shalt thou be wise.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἀποστήσεται ἡ βίβλος τοῦ νόμου τούτου ἐκ τοῦ στόματός σου, καὶ μελετήσεις ἐν αὐτῇ ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς, ἵνα εἰδῇς ποιεῖν πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα· τότε εὐοδωθήσῃ, καὶ εὐοδώσεις τὰς ὁδούς σου, καὶ τότε συνήσεις.
KJVThis book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
JPSThis book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy ways prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9
ThomsonBehold I have commanded thee; be strong and courageous: fear not, nor be dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
BrentonLo! I have commanded thee; be strong and courageous, be not cowardly nor fearful, for the Lord thy God is with thee in all places whither thou goest.
GreekἸδοὺ ἐντέαλμαί σοι· ἴσχυε καὶ ἀνδρίζου, μὴ δειλιάσῃς, μηδὲ φοβηθῇ, ὅτι μετὰ σοῦ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου εἰς πάντα οὗ ἐὰν πορεύῃ·
KJVHave not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
JPSHave not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’
10
ThomsonUpon this Joshua gave orders to the officers of the people, saying;
BrentonAnd Joshua commanded the scribes of the people, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐνετείλατο Ἰησοῦς τοῖς γραμματεῦσιν τοῦ λαοῦ, λέγων,
KJVThen Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
JPSThen Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying:
11
ThomsonGo through the camp of the people, and give them orders, saying, Prepare all necessary provisions; for in three days you are to cross the Jordan, to go in and take possession of the land which the Lord the God of your fathers giveth you.
BrentonGo into the midst of the camp of the people, and command the people, saying, Prepare provisions; for yet three days and ye shall go over this Jordan, entering in to take possession of the land, which the Lord God of your fathers gives to you.
GreekΕἰσέλθατε κατὰ μέσον τῆς παρεμβολῆς τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ἐντείλασθε τῷ λαῷ, λέγοντες, ἐτοιμάζεσθε ἐπισιτισμόν, ὅτι ἔτι τρεῖς ἡμέραι καὶ ὑμεῖς διαβαίνετε τὸν Ἰορδάνην τοῦτον, εἰσελθόντες κατασχεῖν τὴν γῆν, ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν δίδωσιν ὑμῖν.
KJVPass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
JPS’Pass through the midst of the camp, and command the people, saying: Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.’
12
ThomsonThen Joshua said to Reuben, and Gad, and to the half of the tribe of Manasses,
BrentonAnd to Ruben, and to Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasse, Joshua said,
GreekΚαὶ τῷ Ῥουβὴν, καὶ τῷ Γὰδ, καὶ τῷ ἡμίσει φυλῆς Μανασσῆ εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς,
KJVAnd to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
JPSAnd to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, spoke Joshua, saying:
13
ThomsonRemember what Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you saying; The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
BrentonRemember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God has caused you to rest, and has given you this land.
Greekμνήσθητε τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐνετείλατο ὑμῖν Μωυσῆς ὁ παῖς Κυρίου, λέγων, Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν κατέπαυσεν ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν τὴν γῆν ταύτην.
KJVRemember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
JPS’Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, you, saying: The LORD your God giveth you rest, and will give you this land.
14
ThomsonLet your wives, and your children, and your cattle abide in the land which he hath given you; but you, all your able-bodied men, well equipt, shall cross over before your brethren, and assist them; until the Lord our God shall give your brethren rest, as well as you; until they possess the land which the Lord our God giveth them. Then you shall return, every one to his possession, which Moses gave you on the east side of the Jordan.
BrentonLet your wives and your children and your cattle dwell in the land, which he has given you; and ye shall go over well armed before your brethren, every one of you who is strong; and ye shall fight on their side;
GreekΑἱ γυναῖκες ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ παιδία ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν κατοικείτωσαν ἐν τῇ γῇ, ᾗ ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν· ὑμεῖς δὲ διαβήσεσθε εὔζωνοι πρότεροι τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὑμῶν πᾶς ὁ ἰσχύων· καὶ συμμαχήσετε αὐτοῖς,
KJVYour wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
JPSYour wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall abide in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but ye shall pass over before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and shall help them;
15
Thomson—
Brentonuntil the Lord your God shall have given your brethren rest, as also to you, and they also shall have inherited the land, which the Lord your God gives them; then ye shall depart each one to his inheritance, which Moses gave you beyond Jordan eastward.
Greekἕως ἂν καταπαύσῃ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν, ὥσπερ καὶ ὑμᾶς, καὶ κληρονομήσωσι καὶ οὗτοι τὴν γῆν, ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἀπελεύσεσθε ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν Μωυσῆς εἰς τὸ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου ἐπʼ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου.
KJVUntil the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
JPSuntil the LORD have given your brethren rest, as unto you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them; then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and possess it, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising.’
16
ThomsonThereupon they answered and said to Joshua, All that thou commandest we will do. And wherever thou sendest us we will go.
BrentonAnd they answered Joshua and said, We will do all things which thou commandest us, and we will go to every place whither thou shalt send us.
GreekΚαὶ ἀποκριθέντες τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἶπαν, πάντα ὅσα ἐὰν ἐντείλῃ ἡμῖν, ποιήσομεν, καὶ εἰς πάντα τόπον οὗ ἐὰν ἀποστείλῃς ἡμᾶς, πορευσόμεθα.
KJVAnd they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
JPSAnd they answered Joshua, saying: ‘All that thou hast commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.
17
ThomsonAs we have hearkened to Moses in all things, so will we hearken to thee. Let but the Lord our God be with thee, as he was with Moses,
BrentonWhereinsoever we hearkened to Moses we will hearken to thee; only let the Lord our God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
GreekΚατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἠκούσαμεν Μωυσῆ, ἀκουσόμεθά σοῦ· πλὴν ἔστω Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν μετὰ σοῦ, ὃν τρόπον ἦν μετὰ Μωυσῆ.
KJVAccording as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
JPSAccording as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee; only the LORD thy God be with thee, as He was with Moses.
18
Thomsonand whosoever shall disobey thee, and not hearken to all thy commands which thou shalt give him let him be put to death. But be thou strong and courageous.
BrentonAnd whosoever shall disobey thee, and whosoever shall not hearken to thy words as thou shalt command him, let him die; but be thou strong and courageous.
GreekὉ δὲ ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἂν ἀπειθήσῃ σοι, καὶ ὅστις μὴ ἀκούσῃ τῶν ῥημάτων σου καθότι ἐὰν ἐντείλῃ αὐτῷ, ἀποθανέτω· ἀλλὰ ἴσχυε καὶ ἀνδρίζου.
KJVWhosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
JPSWhosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death; only be strong and of good courage.’