Joshua 10:8

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Joshua {H3091}, Fear {H3372} them not: for I have delivered {H5414} them into thine hand {H3027}; there shall not a man {H376} of them stand {H5975} before {H6440} thee.

ADONAI said to Y'hoshua, "Don't be afraid of them, for I have handed them over to you; not one of their men will stand against you."

The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.”

And Jehovah said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thy hands; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

Commentary

Context of Joshua 10:8

Joshua 10:8 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Immediately preceding this verse, the Gibeonites, who had made a treaty with Israel (see Joshua 9:15), found themselves under attack. Five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-zedec of Jerusalem, formed a powerful confederacy to punish Gibeon for its alliance with Joshua and the Israelites. Gibeon appealed to Joshua for help. In response, Joshua marched his army from Gilgal through the night to relieve Gibeon. It is at this critical juncture, as Joshua prepares for battle against a formidable coalition, that the Lord delivers this powerful message of assurance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Assurance and Presence: The most striking theme is God's direct and comforting word to Joshua: "Fear them not." This isn't just a command, but a foundational promise that God is with His people, empowering them in battle. It echoes similar divine assurances given to Moses and Joshua throughout their leadership.
  • Guaranteed Victory: The phrase "for I have delivered them into thine hand" signifies a victory already accomplished in God's sovereign plan. It's not a prediction of a potential victory, but a declaration of a decided outcome. This instills confidence and eliminates doubt for Joshua and the Israelite army.
  • God's Sovereignty in Conquest: This verse underscores that the conquest of Canaan was not merely a human military campaign, but a divinely ordained mission. God is actively involved, fighting on behalf of Israel, ensuring their success against seemingly insurmountable odds.
  • Fearlessness in Obedience: The command to "fear them not" serves as a crucial reminder for Joshua and the Israelites that their trust should be placed in God's power and promises, not in the strength of their enemies. This call to courage is a recurring motif in Joshua's life, notably from Joshua 1:9.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "Fear them not" is אַל־תִּירָא (al-tira), a direct prohibition that carries the weight of divine authority. It's a common biblical injunction given by God to His servants facing daunting tasks. The subsequent declaration, "for I have delivered them into thine hand," uses the perfect tense in Hebrew, נְתַתִּים בְּיָדְךָ (netattim b'yad'ka). This grammatical form emphasizes the completeness and certainty of the action – God has already, in His divine counsel, handed over the enemy. It's a statement of accomplished fact, not a future possibility, reinforcing the absolute certainty of Israel's victory.

Practical Application

Joshua 10:8 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as God assured Joshua of victory over physical enemies, He provides similar assurance when we face spiritual battles, personal challenges, or seemingly overwhelming obstacles. This verse reminds us:

  • Trust in God's Promises: When we feel overwhelmed by fear or doubt, we can cling to God's unwavering promises. His word is sufficient to calm our anxieties and strengthen our resolve.
  • God Fights Our Battles: We are not alone in our struggles. Like the Israelites, we can rely on God's divine intervention. He often works through us, but the ultimate victory belongs to Him (see Exodus 14:14).
  • Overcome Fear with Faith: The command "Fear them not" calls us to confront our fears with faith in God's power and sovereignty. When God has declared a victory, our response should be one of courageous obedience, knowing that He has already prepared the way.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:31 (8 votes)

    ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • Psalms 27:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

  • Psalms 27:2 (7 votes)

    When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

  • Isaiah 41:10 (7 votes)

    ¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • Isaiah 41:15 (7 votes)

    Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

  • Deuteronomy 3:2 (7 votes)

    And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

  • Joshua 11:6 (6 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.