Joshua 1:11

KJV

Pass 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Pass {H5674} through {H7130} the host {H4264}, and command {H6680} the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Prepare {H3559} you victuals {H6720}; for within three {H7969} days {H3117} ye shall pass over {H5674} this Jordan {H3383}, to go in {H935} to possess {H3423} the land {H776}, which the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} giveth {H5414} you to possess {H3423} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

to go through the camp and order the people, "Prepare provisions, because in three days you will cross this Yarden to go in and take possession of the land ADONAI your God is giving you."

Berean Standard Bible

“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”

American Standard Version

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 Jehovah your God giveth you to possess it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 1:11 presents Joshua's authoritative command to the Israelite officers, marking the imminent culmination of their wilderness journey and the commencement of their entry into the Promised Land. This pivotal directive instructs the people to prepare provisions, signifying a crucial three-day window before they cross the Jordan River to take possession of the land, which the Lord their God is graciously giving them. It powerfully underscores the essential interplay between divine promise and human responsibility in the unfolding of God's covenantal faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows God's profound and comprehensive commissioning of Joshua in [Joshua 1:1-9](/joshua/1-1-9 "Joshua 1:1-9 - God's Charge to Joshua"). Having just received divine assurance of God's unwavering presence, strength, and the certainty of success contingent upon adherence to the Law, Joshua promptly translates this divine mandate into actionable commands for the people. The preceding verses firmly establish Joshua's authority as Moses' divinely appointed successor and reinforce the ancient covenantal promises of land and divine presence. Joshua's command in [Joshua 1:11](/joshua/1-11 "Joshua 1:11 - Command to Prepare for Crossing") is therefore not a human initiative but a direct echo of God's sovereign will, demonstrating Joshua's immediate obedience and leadership in preparing the entire nation for the next, momentous phase of their redemptive history. The instruction to "pass through the host" implies a formal, widespread announcement to all the tribes, preparing them for a collective and unified undertaking.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood at the threshold of the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, a consequence of their disobedience and lack of faith following the Exodus. This new generation, born in the wilderness, was poised to fulfill the ancient promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The Jordan River served as a significant natural barrier, marking the boundary between the desolate wilderness and the fertile inheritance. Culturally, the concept of a "host" (Hebrew: _machaneh'_) was central to Israel's identity as a people on the move, organized tribally for both journey and battle. The command to "prepare victuals" (provisions) was a practical necessity for any large-scale movement, especially one involving a vast population crossing a major river and entering a new, potentially hostile territory where immediate food sources might be uncertain. This act of preparation signifies human participation in a divinely ordained mission, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern military campaigns, but here imbued with profound theological significance as an act of faith and stewardship.
* **Key Themes:** [Joshua 1:11](/joshua/1-11 "Joshua 1:11 - The Call to Preparation") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Command and Human Obedience**, illustrating that God's sovereign promises, while certain, often require human cooperation and active preparation. Secondly, the precise timeframe "within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land" underscores the **Imminent Fulfillment of God's Promises**. This was the long-awaited culmination of generations of waiting for the Promised Land, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. Thirdly, the directive to "Prepare you victuals" introduces the theme of **Preparation and Responsibility**, demonstrating that while the land is a gracious gift from God, the people are still responsible for practical readiness for the journey and subsequent settlement. This interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring biblical motif, as seen in passages like [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Salvation"). Finally, the explicit declaration that the land is "which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it" reinforces the theme of the **Land as a Gracious Gift**, not something earned by conquest but received through faith and obedience to God's covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Host (Hebrew, _machăneh'_):** from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. In this context, "host" refers to the entire organized body of the Israelite people, arranged in their tribal divisions, signifying a disciplined and unified community ready for movement and military action. The command to "pass through the host" implies a comprehensive, official communication to every segment of the vast Israelite community, emphasizing the collective nature of the upcoming endeavor and the need for unified preparation under God's leadership.
* **Victuals (Hebrew, _tsêydâh'_):** or צֵדָה; feminine of צַיִד; food; meat, provision, venison, victuals. This term specifically denotes provisions, food, or supplies prepared for a journey or expedition. It is not merely general food but sustenance specifically packed and ready for immediate consumption during travel. The command to "prepare victuals" underscores the practical necessity of human foresight and diligence. While God had miraculously provided manna for forty years, that provision was now ceasing, signaling a shift towards a more conventional means of sustenance as they entered a land they would cultivate. This command emphasizes the transition from miraculous daily provision to human responsibility in stewardship.
* **Possess (Hebrew, _yârash'_):** or יָרֵשׁ; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin; cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. This verb carries the weight of both legal right and active occupation. The Israelites were not merely entering a territory; they were inheriting it as a divine gift, a fulfillment of God's covenant promises to their ancestors. The repetition of "to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it" strongly emphasizes that their right to the land is rooted in God's gracious grant, even though their physical occupation would involve military conquest. It signifies a divinely sanctioned inheritance that required active reception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pass through the host, and command the people, saying,"**: This initial clause reveals Joshua's immediate and authoritative leadership. Having received God's direct commission, he now delegates the task of disseminating the command to the officers, who are to move throughout the entire encampment. This signifies the organized chain of command and the comprehensive nature of the impending national movement, ensuring universal awareness and compliance.
* **"Prepare you victuals;"**: This is the first specific instruction given to the people. It's a practical, immediate command to gather and pack provisions for the journey. This highlights the blend of divine sovereignty and human responsibility: God is giving them the land, but they must actively prepare themselves for the physical journey and the challenges ahead. It marks a transition from the miraculous daily manna to a reliance on their own diligent preparation and stewardship.
* **"for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan,"**: This clause provides the crucial timeframe and the immediate objective. The "three days" indicates a precise and imminent deadline, emphasizing the urgency and certainty of God's plan. The Jordan River, a significant natural barrier, is identified as the immediate obstacle to be crossed, signifying the monumental transition from the wilderness into the promised territory. This short timeframe builds anticipation and requires swift, decisive action.
* **"to go in to possess the land,"**: This states the ultimate purpose of crossing the Jordan. The act of "going in" is not merely a physical relocation but an intentional act of claiming and occupying the promised inheritance. "Possess" here is active, implying the necessary actions of settlement and, where required, conquest, to fully inhabit the land God has given them. It underscores the active role the Israelites were to play in receiving their divine inheritance.
* **"which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it."**: This final clause is profoundly theological, anchoring the entire endeavor in God's gracious initiative. The land is not something they will earn through their strength or military prowess, but a gift freely given by Yahweh, their covenant God. The repetition of "possess" underscores that their right to the land stems entirely from God's promise and generosity, making their upcoming actions an act of receiving and stewarding a divine inheritance, rather than a conquest based on their own merit.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 1:11 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Imperative Language**, as Joshua issues direct commands ("Pass through," "command," "Prepare"). This reflects the urgency and authority of the divine mandate he has received, demanding immediate obedience and action from the people. The verse also utilizes **Repetition**, specifically with the verb "possess" (Hebrew, _yârash_). This repetition ("to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it") serves to emphasize the certainty of their inheritance and, more importantly, that the right to this land is solely founded on God's gracious gift, not on their own merit or strength. Furthermore, the mention of "within three days" creates a strong sense of **Anticipation and Foreshadowing**, building suspense and highlighting the imminence of a major turning point in Israel's history. This specific timeframe also subtly hints at divine timing and purpose, echoing other significant "three-day" periods in biblical narrative (e.g., Jonah in the fish, Jesus' resurrection). Finally, the verse is rich in **Covenant Language**, particularly in the phrase "the LORD your God giveth you," which firmly connects this immediate command to the long-standing covenant promises made to the patriarchs, reinforcing God's faithfulness to His word across generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 1:11 beautifully encapsulates the profound biblical tension and harmony between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God unequivocally promises the land as a gracious gift, He simultaneously calls His people to active preparation and obedient participation in receiving that gift. This is not a contradiction but a demonstration of God's design for His relationship with humanity: He provides the ultimate means and end, but He invites us to diligent faith and practical action. The "three days" timeframe underscores God's precise timing and the certainty of His promises, demanding immediate readiness from a people who had wandered for forty years. This verse establishes a pattern for all of God's work—He initiates, He enables, and He fulfills, but He invites His people to be active co-laborers in His redemptive plan, preparing themselves for the blessings and challenges of their inheritance.

* [Deuteronomy 8:7-10](/deuteronomy/8-7-10 "Deuteronomy 8:7-10 - Description of the Promised Land")
* [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Promise of Rest")
* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - God's Work and Our Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 1:11 offers timeless principles for believers navigating their own spiritual journeys. Just as the Israelites were on the cusp of entering their physical inheritance, we too are called to live in anticipation of our spiritual inheritance in Christ. This verse challenges us to move beyond passive waiting and embrace active, faith-filled preparation for what God has called us to do. It reminds us that while God's promises are absolutely certain, our engagement requires diligent spiritual and practical readiness. This might involve preparing our hearts through prayer and Scripture study, equipping ourselves with knowledge and skills for ministry, or making practical arrangements to step into a new season of life or service. The urgency of the "three days" serves as a powerful reminder that God's timing is precise, and we are to be found ready and obedient when He calls us to cross our own "Jordans" – whether they be challenges, opportunities, or new phases of growth. Our preparation is an act of trust, demonstrating our belief that God will indeed fulfill His word and empower us to possess the spiritual blessings He has prepared.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "victuals" (spiritual or practical provisions) might God be calling you to prepare in your life right now for an upcoming challenge or opportunity?**
* **How does the balance between God's sovereignty ("giveth you to possess it") and human responsibility ("Prepare you victuals") challenge or affirm your understanding of faith and action?**
* **Are there "Jordans" in your life that God is calling you to cross, and what steps of preparation are you taking in anticipation of His timing?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command them to prepare "victuals" if He had provided manna for 40 years?**

Answer: The command to "prepare victuals" in [Joshua 1:11](/joshua/1-11 "Joshua 1:11 - Command to Prepare") marks a significant transition in God's provision for Israel. For forty years in the wilderness, God miraculously provided manna daily ([Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna Provided")). This supernatural provision taught Israel absolute dependence on God in an environment where natural sustenance was impossible. As they were about to enter the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey that they would cultivate ([Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7-9 "Deuteronomy 8:7-9 - Description of the Promised Land")), the miraculous manna would cease ([Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna Ceases")). The command to prepare provisions signifies a shift from a purely miraculous, passive reception of food to an active, responsible engagement with the resources God would now provide through the land and their labor. It underscores the principle that while God provides, He also expects human diligence and stewardship, integrating their practical efforts into His divine plan for their inheritance.

**What is the significance of "within three days"?**

Answer: The "three days" timeframe in [Joshua 1:11](/joshua/1-11 "Joshua 1:11 - Command to Prepare") serves multiple significant purposes. Firstly, it conveys a sense of **urgency and imminence**, signaling that the long-awaited entry into the Promised Land is not a distant dream but an immediate reality. This short, precise window demands swift and focused preparation from the entire nation. Secondly, it highlights **God's precise timing and faithfulness**. After forty years of wandering, God is now acting decisively and according to His pre-ordained schedule. Thirdly, the "three days" motif appears in other pivotal biblical narratives, often preceding a significant divine intervention or new beginning (e.g., [Exodus 19:10-11](/exodus/19-10-11 "Exodus 19:10-11 - Preparation for Sinai"), [Hosea 6:2](/hosea/6-2 "Hosea 6:2 - Resurrection after Three Days"), [Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah 1:17 - Jonah in the Fish"), [Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - Sign of Jonah")). In Joshua's context, it underscores the certainty of the crossing and the monumental shift from wilderness wandering to possessing their inheritance, emphasizing that God's plan is unfolding exactly as promised.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 1:11, with its emphasis on preparation for possessing a promised land, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The physical land of Canaan, given as an inheritance to Israel, serves as a powerful type of the spiritual inheritance and rest that believers receive in Christ. Just as the Israelites were commanded to prepare for entry into their earthly inheritance, so too are believers called to prepare their hearts for the spiritual realities of the Kingdom of God and the eternal rest promised in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Promise of Rest")). The Jordan crossing, a significant barrier to the Promised Land, can be seen as a type of the spiritual transition from the old life of sin and wandering to the new life found in Christ through His death and resurrection—a spiritual "crossing over" into a new covenant reality ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Buried with Christ")). Furthermore, the "victuals" that the Israelites were to prepare, representing physical sustenance for their journey, ultimately point to Jesus Himself as the true "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the "Living Water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), who provides all the spiritual nourishment necessary for our journey of faith. Our ultimate "possession" is not a physical territory, but union with Christ and the spiritual blessings that flow from Him, including peace, righteousness, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, which are our down payment of the eternal inheritance ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - The Seal of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, Joshua 1:11 foreshadows the greater reality that God has given us a spiritual inheritance in Christ, for which our preparation is not of physical provisions, but of faith, obedience, and reliance on Him who is our ultimate provision and our promised land.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 9:1

¶ Hear, O Israel: Thou [art] to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

2 Kings 20:5

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

Hosea 6:2

After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

Joshua 3:2

And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;

Deuteronomy 11:31

For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein.

Exodus 19:11

And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.