Joshua 11:15

KJV

¶ As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

As the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872} his servant {H5650}, so did Moses {H4872} command {H6680} Joshua {H3091}, and so did {H6213} Joshua {H3091}; he left {H5493} nothing {H1697} undone {H5493} of all that the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe had given orders to Y'hoshua, just as ADONAI had given orders to Moshe his servant, and Y'hoshua acted accordingly-he did everything ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

As the LORD had commanded His servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. That is what Joshua did, leaving nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version

As Jehovah commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua: and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 11:15 stands as a profound summary statement, not only concluding the initial phase of the Israelite conquest of Canaan but also serving as a powerful testament to the unwavering obedience and faithfulness of Joshua. This verse meticulously traces the divine chain of command, from the LORD to Moses, from Moses to Joshua, and finally to Joshua's meticulous execution, emphasizing that the success of the military campaigns and the dispossession of the Canaanite inhabitants was a direct result of absolute adherence to God's precise instructions, leaving no command unfulfilled.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 11:15 appears at the very end of the first major section of the Book of Joshua, which comprehensively details the conquest of the Promised Land (chapters 1-12). Specifically, it follows the accounts of the successful southern campaign (Joshua 10), culminating in the defeat of five Amorite kings, and the northern campaign (Joshua 11:1-14), which describes the decisive victory over the formidable coalition led by Jabin, king of Hazor. This verse acts as a concluding, summarizing affirmation of these military endeavors, signaling the completion of the initial, large-scale phase of territorial acquisition. It sets the stage for the subsequent division of the land among the tribes (Joshua 13-21) and the final exhortations and covenant renewal (Joshua 22-24). The meticulous reporting of Joshua's obedience here reinforces the theological framework that Israel's success was divinely ordained and contingent upon their faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Canaan took place in the Late Bronze Age, a period characterized by city-states and regional alliances. The Canaanites, known for their polytheistic worship, including Baal and Asherah, and practices such as child sacrifice, presented a significant spiritual and military threat to the nascent Israelite nation. God's command to dispossess them (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Dispossess Canaanites")) was not merely an act of territorial acquisition but a divine judgment against the wickedness of the inhabitants and a prophylactic measure to preserve Israel's spiritual purity. The military campaigns described, such as the destruction of Hazor (Joshua 11:10-11), reflect the brutal realities of ancient warfare, but within the biblical narrative, they are presented as divinely sanctioned acts of holy war (herem), designed to fulfill God's covenant promises and establish His people in the land. Joshua's leadership, therefore, was not merely military but priestly, executing divine judgment and establishing God's righteous rule.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the Book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Authority**, asserting that the entire enterprise of the conquest originated from the LORD's explicit commands to Moses, demonstrating that God is the ultimate orchestrator of history and the source of all legitimate authority. Hand-in-hand with this is the theme of **Human Obedience and Faithfulness**, exemplified by Moses' faithful transmission and Joshua's perfect execution of God's will. The phrase "he left nothing undone" highlights the theme of **Thoroughness and Completeness in Obedience**, emphasizing that partial obedience is not true obedience. This meticulous adherence to divine instruction is presented as the direct cause of Israel's success and the **Fulfillment of God's Covenant Promises** regarding the land (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The narrative consistently links Israel's prosperity and success to their obedience to the Law, as explicitly stated in Joshua's initial commission (e.g., [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7-8 - Joshua's Commission to Obey the Law")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commanded (Hebrew, צָוָה, _tsavah_):** This verb, repeated three times in the verse, is crucial. It signifies a divine decree, a solemn charge, or an authoritative instruction that carries the weight of an imperative. Its repetition emphasizes the origin, transmission, and execution of God's will as an unbroken chain of authoritative directives. It implies not merely a suggestion but an absolute, binding order, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of God's word and the required response of complete submission.
* **Left nothing undone (Hebrew, לֹא הֵסִיר דָּבָר, _lo hesir davar_):** This idiomatic phrase literally means "he did not remove a word" or "he did not take away anything." It powerfully conveys the meticulous and comprehensive nature of Joshua's obedience. It signifies that no command was overlooked, no detail was ignored, and no task was left unfinished. This is a strong affirmation of Joshua's integrity and faithfulness, demonstrating an obedience that was not selective or partial but absolute and thorough, reflecting the spirit of [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from the Law").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As the LORD commanded Moses his servant":** This opening clause establishes the ultimate source of authority and the divine origin of the commands. It underscores God's sovereignty and Moses' role as a faithful mediator and servant, receiving and transmitting God's perfect will.
* **"so did Moses command Joshua":** This clause highlights the faithful transmission of God's commands through the appointed human leader. Moses, as God's chosen prophet and lawgiver, diligently conveyed the divine instructions to his successor, Joshua, ensuring continuity of divine revelation and leadership.
* **"and so did Joshua":** This concise phrase affirms Joshua's direct and immediate obedience. It acts as a pivotal point, confirming that the divine will, once transmitted, was indeed acted upon by the new leader. It implies an active and willing compliance.
* **"he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses":** This concluding statement serves as a powerful summary and commendation. It explicitly states the thoroughness and completeness of Joshua's obedience, emphasizing that every single instruction, without exception or omission, was carried out. This phrase brings the chain of command to its successful completion, validating the entire process from divine decree to human execution.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Repetition** and **Chiasm** to underscore its central message. The repetition of the verb "commanded" (צָוָה, _tsavah_) three times ("the LORD commanded... Moses command... the LORD commanded") creates a rhythmic emphasis on the divine origin and the unbroken chain of authority and obedience. This repetition reinforces the idea that the entire conquest was not a human initiative but a divinely orchestrated mission. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a subtle **Chiasm** (ABBA structure): A (LORD commanded Moses), B (Moses commanded Joshua), B' (Joshua did), A' (LORD commanded Moses). This chiastic structure highlights Joshua's obedience as the central, pivotal act, framed by the consistent divine command. The verse also functions as a powerful **Summary Statement** and **Affirmation**, providing a theological conclusion to the preceding conquest narratives by attributing their success directly to perfect obedience to God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:15 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine authority and human responsibility. It teaches that God's commands are not optional suggestions but binding decrees, and that true success, particularly in the divine economy, is predicated upon absolute and unreserved obedience. This verse establishes a pattern of faithful leadership, where leaders are not to innovate or deviate from God's revealed will but to faithfully transmit and execute it. It underscores the reliability of God's word and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating that when His people obey, He fulfills His word. The meticulousness of Joshua's obedience serves as a powerful model, illustrating that God desires not just partial compliance but a thorough and complete devotion to His every instruction, recognizing that even seemingly minor details of God's will are significant.
* [Deuteronomy 6:25](/deuteronomy/6-25 "Deuteronomy 6:25 - Righteousness Through Obedience")
* [Psalm 119:4-6](/psalms/119-4 "Psalm 119:4-6 - Longing for God's Precepts")
* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Love and Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 11:15 provides a timeless blueprint for spiritual effectiveness and faithful living. It challenges believers to consider the source of their authority and the standard of their obedience. Just as Joshua's success in conquering the land was directly tied to his unwavering adherence to God's commands, our spiritual victories and flourishing in life are intrinsically linked to our obedience to God's revealed Word. This verse calls us to move beyond superficial or selective obedience, urging us to embrace a "left nothing undone" approach to our faith. It reminds us that God's commands are for our good and that His purposes will be accomplished when we align our lives with His will. This principle applies to every sphere of life: from personal discipleship and ethical conduct to vocational callings and community engagement. Our diligence, integrity, and thoroughness in obeying God's Word, no matter how challenging, are foundational to experiencing His blessings and participating in His redemptive work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "leaving something undone" when it comes to God's commands?**
* **How does the chain of command (LORD to Moses to Joshua) inform your understanding of spiritual authority and submission today?**
* **What specific steps can you take to cultivate a more thorough and complete obedience to God's Word in your daily life?**
* **How does the success of Joshua, rooted in obedience, encourage you to trust God's promises even when the task seems daunting?**

### FAQ
**What does "he left nothing undone" truly imply about Joshua's leadership?**

Answer: The phrase "he left nothing undone" (לֹא הֵסִיר דָּבָר, _lo hesir davar_) is a powerful affirmation of Joshua's meticulous and comprehensive obedience. It implies that Joshua did not merely fulfill the major, obvious commands, but he was faithful in every detail, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. This speaks volumes about his integrity, his reverence for God's word, and his commitment to the divine mission. It means he didn't pick and choose which commands to obey, nor did he neglect any instruction. His leadership was characterized by a thoroughness that ensured the full execution of God's will, setting an example for all who would lead God's people. This level of obedience is what God himself commanded Joshua at the outset of his leadership (e.g., [Joshua 1:7](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7 - Joshua's Charge to Obey the Law")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 11:15, while celebrating the obedience of an Old Testament leader, ultimately points forward to the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Joshua, whose name is the Hebrew equivalent of "Jesus," serves as a type of the true and greater Joshua. While Joshua perfectly executed the commands given to him, his obedience was still that of a fallen man, limited in scope to the conquest of a physical land. Jesus, however, is the Son who perfectly fulfilled every command of the Father, not just in military conquest but in every aspect of His life, ministry, and sacrificial death. He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (e.g., [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). His food was to do the will of Him who sent Him and to finish His work (e.g., [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do the Will of God")). Unlike Joshua, who led Israel into an earthly rest, Jesus, through His perfect obedience, leads His people into an eternal, spiritual rest (e.g., [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The Greater Rest in Christ")). He is the ultimate obedient Servant, whose "leaving nothing undone" in fulfilling the Father's will—even to the point of death on a cross (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"))—secured salvation and eternal life for all who believe.

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

Joshua 1:7

Only 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.

Deuteronomy 7:2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Exodus 34:11

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Exodus 34:13

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

Acts 20:20

[And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Deuteronomy 31:7

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 12:32

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.