Joshua 1:16

KJV

¶ And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they answered {H6030} Joshua {H3091}, saying {H559}, All that thou commandest {H6680} us we will do {H6213}, and whithersoever {H834} thou sendest {H7971} us, we will go {H3212}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They answered Y'hoshua, "We will do everything you have ordered us to do, and we will go wherever you send us.

Berean Standard Bible

So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.

American Standard Version

And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou hast commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 1:16 records the Israelite people's enthusiastic and unqualified pledge of allegiance to Joshua, their divinely appointed leader, immediately following God's powerful commissioning of him. This pivotal moment signifies a crucial and successful transfer of authority from Moses to Joshua, demonstrating the nation's collective readiness to obey divine instruction, undertake the challenging task of conquering Canaan, and trust implicitly in God's promises for their future in the Promised Land. It sets a foundational tone of unity and obedience for the monumental endeavors that lie ahead.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a direct and affirmative response to Joshua's initial exercise of leadership, specifically his charge to the Transjordanian tribes (Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) to fulfill their prior commitment to Moses. Joshua had reminded them of their solemn vow to assist their brethren in conquering the land west of the Jordan before settling their own inheritance, as detailed in [Joshua 1:12-15](/joshua/1-12-15 "Joshua 1:12-15 - Joshua's Charge to the Transjordanian Tribes"). This immediate and unanimous declaration by "they" (referring to the people, likely represented by their leaders or spokesmen, as implied by [Joshua 1:10](/joshua/1-10 "Joshua 1:10 - Joshua Commands the Officers")) directly follows Joshua's orders to the officers to prepare the people for crossing the Jordan, which itself was a response to God's grand commission to Joshua in [Joshua 1:1-9](/joshua/1-1-9 "Joshua 1:1-9 - God's Commission to Joshua"). The people's pledge in [Joshua 1:16](/joshua/1-16 "Joshua 1:16 - Israel's Pledge to Joshua") thus powerfully validates Joshua's authority, establishing the necessary unity and obedience that will be critical for the military campaigns and land distribution recounted throughout the remainder of [the book of Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, a strategic location just east of the Jordan River, shortly after the profound and impactful death of Moses, the revered leader who had guided Israel for forty years. This period marked a monumental transition from the wilderness generation to the generation poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the transfer of supreme leadership was often a volatile time, fraught with potential instability, challenges to authority, or even civil unrest. However, in Israel's case, Joshua's divine appointment, publicly affirmed by God and previously acknowledged by Moses ([Deuteronomy 31:7-8](/deuteronomy/31-7-8 "Deuteronomy 31:7-8 - Moses Commissions Joshua")), coupled with the people's recent experience of God's unwavering faithfulness and Moses's final instructions, created a unique environment for a remarkably smooth and unified transition. The people's public pledge reflects a deep understanding of covenantal loyalty, not merely to a human leader, but to the God who had chosen and empowered him. Their collective declaration was a public and binding commitment, absolutely essential for maintaining unity, morale, and discipline in the face of the formidable military and logistical challenges of conquering the entrenched Canaanite city-states.
* **Key Themes:** The people's declaration in [Joshua 1:16](/joshua/1-16 "Joshua 1:16 - Israel's Pledge of Obedience") powerfully encapsulates several major themes central to the book of Joshua and the broader narrative of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Firstly, **Obedience to God-Appointed Leadership** is paramount; the people's submission to Joshua's authority is understood as direct submission to God's will, a foundational principle for the success of the conquest and the establishment of the nation in the land. This echoes Israel's earlier, foundational pledge of obedience to God at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:8](/exodus/19-8 "Exodus 19:8 - Israel's Covenant Pledge at Sinai")). Secondly, **Unity and Corporate Commitment** are profoundly highlighted by the collective "we will do" and "we will go," underscoring a unified front and a shared resolve to fulfill the divine mission. This unity was not merely desirable but absolutely crucial for Israel's success against the formidable enemies they would inevitably face. Finally, their readiness implies a profound **Faith and Trust** in God's promises, conveyed through Joshua, that He would indeed give them the land. This unwavering faith provides the spiritual impetus for their willingness to embark on a challenging and uncertain future, relying entirely on God's faithfulness to His covenant, as detailed throughout [the Pentateuch](/genesis/1 "The Pentateuch - The First Five Books of the Bible").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Answered (Hebrew, _‘ânâh'_):** This verb signifies a direct, often formal, response to a question, command, or declaration. Here, it denotes an immediate and collective reply to Joshua's charge, indicating not merely a verbal acknowledgment but an active and intentional engagement with the directive. The people are not passively receiving information but are actively affirming their participation and commitment, signifying a willing and decisive compliance.
* **Commandest (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This word carries the strong sense of constituting, enjoining, or giving a formal charge or order. It highlights Joshua's authoritative position as the leader divinely appointed to issue directives. The people's pledge to obey "all that thou commandest" underscores their recognition of his legitimate authority, which they understand as flowing from God, and their commitment to absolute, unqualified obedience to his every instruction.
* **Go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** A fundamental verb meaning "to walk," "to go," or "to proceed." In this context, it signifies active movement, readiness for departure, and willingness to follow into action. It is not a passive acceptance but an energetic commitment to embark on a journey or mission under Joshua's leadership, embodying the spirit of expedition, mobility, and conquest, wherever that might lead them geographically or strategically.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And they answered Joshua, saying":** This opening phrase establishes the immediate context as a direct and collective response from the people to Joshua's recent directives and his newly assumed leadership (e.g., [Joshua 1:10-15](/joshua/1-10-15 "Joshua 1:10-15 - Joshua's Orders and the Transjordanian Pledge")). The use of "answered" (H6030, _‘ânâh'_) implies a formal, public declaration, highlighting the people's unified voice and their recognition of Joshua's authority. Their "answering" is not a question but a resounding declaration of allegiance, signifying the successful and accepted transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua in the eyes of the entire community.
* **"All that thou commandest us we will do":** This clause is a powerful and unqualified affirmation of obedience. The emphatic use of "all" (כֹּל, _kol_, though not in the provided Strong's list, its meaning is crucial here) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their commitment. They pledge to perform every single command issued by Joshua, without exception, condition, or hesitation. This is a promise of active compliance, indicating their readiness to undertake the specific tasks and challenges of the conquest. It underscores their understanding that Joshua's commands, as God's chosen instrument, are, in essence, God's commands.
* **"and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go":** This second clause complements the first by pledging unreserved loyalty, mobility, and availability. It speaks to their willingness to follow Joshua's leadership geographically, even into unknown, dangerous, or strategically challenging territories. The phrase "whithersoever thou sendest us" implies a complete surrender of their own preferences and a profound trust in Joshua's strategic direction, knowing that he is guided by God. The repetition of the "we will" (נַעֲשֶׂה, _na‘aseh_ and נֵלֵךְ, _nelekh_) reinforces the collective, resolute, and active nature of their commitment, signifying a unified and mobile force ready for immediate action.

#### Literary Devices
The profound commitment expressed in [Joshua 1:16](/joshua/1-16 "Joshua 1:16 - Israel's Pledge to Joshua") is powerfully conveyed through several effective literary devices. Most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the emphatic use of "we will do" and "we will go." This creates a powerful sense of unwavering resolve and totality in their pledge. This rhetorical device not only highlights the comprehensive nature of their commitment but also imbues it with a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality, suggesting a collective and unified voice. Furthermore, there is a clear instance of **Parallelism**, where the first clause ("All that thou commandest us we will do") focuses on active obedience to specific instructions, and the second ("whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go") emphasizes readiness for geographical movement and strategic deployment. This creates a comprehensive pledge covering both action and location. The verse also functions as a **Pledge or Oath Formula**, a common literary and legal device in ancient Near Eastern treaties and covenants, where subjects declare their loyalty to a sovereign or leader. While not a formal oath with divine invocation, its emphatic and public nature carries the full weight of a binding commitment, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of conquest and settlement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 1:16 stands as a profound testament to the essential theological principle of corporate obedience to divinely appointed leadership, which is foundational for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The people's unanimous pledge reflects their deep understanding that Joshua's authority derived directly from God, thereby making their submission to him an act of faith in Yahweh Himself. This moment of unified commitment was absolutely critical for Israel, as it demonstrated the spiritual and practical cohesion necessary to face the formidable challenges of conquering Canaan. It underscores the recurring biblical theme that divine blessing and success are often contingent upon human faithfulness and collective adherence to God's revealed will, channeled through His chosen instruments. This pledge foreshadows the ongoing relationship between God, His leader, and His people throughout the conquest narrative, where faithfulness brings victory and disobedience leads to defeat, illustrating the direct link between obedience and divine favor.

* [Deuteronomy 31:7-8](/deuteronomy/31-7-8 "Moses Commissions Joshua and Promises God's Presence")
* [Exodus 19:8](/exodus/19-8 "Israel's Covenant Pledge at Mount Sinai")
* [Hebrews 13:17](/hebrews/13-17 "Obey Your Spiritual Leaders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The resounding affirmation of the Israelites in [Joshua 1:16](/joshua/1-16 "Joshua 1:16 - Israel's Pledge to Joshua") offers profound and enduring insights for believers today regarding leadership, unity, and obedience within the community of faith. Just as Israel was called to submit to Joshua, whom God had chosen and empowered for a specific mission, so too are believers called to respect and follow spiritual leadership within the church, recognizing that true authority flows from God. This is not a call to blind obedience, but rather a trusting submission to those who shepherd the flock according to God's Word, fostering an environment of order, cooperation, and mutual respect essential for accomplishing God's purposes in the world. The people's collective "we will do" and "we will go" also serves as a powerful reminder of the indispensable importance of unity in purpose and action within the body of Christ. When believers are united in their commitment to Christ and His mission, laying aside personal preferences and individual agendas for the greater good of the Kingdom, they become a formidable force for spiritual impact and evangelism. This verse challenges each of us to cultivate a spirit of readiness and availability, willing to obey God's call and go wherever He leads, even when the path is uncertain, uncomfortable, or demands personal sacrifice, trusting that His presence and promises will sustain us through every challenge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal attitude towards spiritual authority within my church or Christian community reflect the Israelites' unified pledge to Joshua?**
* **In what tangible ways can I actively contribute to fostering greater unity and collective commitment to God's mission within my local church or Christian fellowship?**
* **Am I truly ready to "do" whatever God commands and "go" wherever He sends, even when the path is challenging, requires significant sacrifice, or takes me outside my comfort zone?**

### FAQ
**Why was the people's pledge in Joshua 1:16 so important for the success of the conquest?**

Answer: The people's pledge in [Joshua 1:16](/joshua/1-16 "Joshua 1:16 - Israel's Pledge of Obedience") was critically important for the success of the conquest for several profound reasons. First, it solidified Joshua's leadership by providing him with the necessary and unanimous authority and support to command the entire nation. Without this public endorsement, internal divisions and challenges to his leadership could have severely crippled the monumental mission of conquering Canaan. Second, it demonstrated a corporate, unified commitment to God's covenant and His explicit command to take possession of the land. The task of conquering Canaan was immense, requiring not just military prowess but also unwavering unity, strict discipline, and resolute determination from every tribe and individual. This collective pledge ensured that the entire nation was aligned with the divine purpose, acting as one body. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it was an profound act of faith. By committing to "do" whatever Joshua commanded and "go" wherever he sent them, the people were implicitly trusting in God's promise of victory and His presence, as reiterated to Joshua in [Joshua 1:5-9](/joshua/1-5-9 "Joshua 1:5-9 - God's Promise of Presence and Success"). This collective faith was a spiritual prerequisite for the miraculous victories and divine interventions that would follow throughout the conquest narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 1:16 vividly portrays Israel's pledge to an earthly leader and their commitment to an earthly conquest, it ultimately points forward to the ultimate Leader, Jesus Christ, and the profound nature of discipleship in His eternal Kingdom. Joshua, as a type of Christ, led God's people into their promised earthly inheritance, but Jesus leads His people into an eternal, spiritual inheritance, a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). The Israelites' unqualified declaration, "All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go," finds its perfect and ultimate echo in the radical obedience of those who truly follow Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - Jesus' Sheep Follow Him")). His disciples are called to a profound and costly commitment, to "deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" ([Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - The Cost of Discipleship")). The Great Commission, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), is a divine sending that requires the very same spirit of readiness, availability, and obedience seen in Joshua 1:16. Unlike Joshua, who was a human leader with limitations and who ultimately died, Jesus is the divine Son of God, "far superior to the angels, as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs" ([Hebrews 1:4](/hebrews/1-4 "Hebrews 1:4 - Christ Superior to Angels")), and indeed, "worthy of more glory than Moses" ([Hebrews 3:3](/hebrews/3-3 "Hebrews 3:3 - Christ Greater Than Moses")). Therefore, our pledge to Him is not merely for an earthly conquest or temporary inheritance, but for eternal life, spiritual transformation, and participation in His ongoing, global mission to redeem and restore the world.

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 5:27

Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear [it], and do [it].

Romans 13:1

¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:5

Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Titus 3:1

¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

1 Peter 2:13

¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

1 Peter 2:15

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Numbers 32:25

And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.