Joshua 21:45

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

There failed {H5307} not ought {H1697} of any good {H2896} thing {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} had spoken {H1696} unto the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}; all came to pass {H935}.

Not one good thing that ADONAI had spoken of to the household of Isra'el failed to happen; it all took place.

Not one of all the LORDโ€™s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.

There failed not aught of any good thing which Jehovah had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Commentary

Joshua 21:45 is a powerful declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness, serving as a concluding summary of the conquest and settlement of the land of Canaan.

Context

This verse comes at the end of a detailed section in the Book of Joshua (chapters 13-21) describing the division of the land among the tribes of Israel and the allocation of cities for the Levites and cities of refuge. After decades of wandering in the wilderness and years of intense warfare, the Israelites had largely secured the promised territory. Joshua 21:45 acts as a capstone, affirming that the entire process, from the initial promise to Abraham to the present settlement, was orchestrated and brought to fruition by God Himself. It specifically follows the list of Levitical cities, emphasizing that even the intricate details of the settlement were according to God's precise plan.

Meaning and Key Themes

The core message of Joshua 21:45 is the absolute reliability of God's word. The phrase "There failed not ought of any good thing" powerfully conveys that not a single promise, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, went unfulfilled. Every blessing, every piece of land, every victory God had promised to the house of Israel came to pass exactly as He had spoken. This verse underscores several vital theological truths:

  • God's Faithfulness: It highlights God's perfect integrity and His commitment to His covenant. He is a God who keeps His word, demonstrating His unfailing faithfulness.
  • Divine Sovereignty: It affirms that God is in complete control, able to bring about His purposes regardless of obstacles or human limitations.
  • The Power of God's Word: The verse emphasizes that when the LORD speaks, His word is effective and powerful, always achieving what it sets out to do. As Isaiah 55:11 declares, His word does not return to Him void.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "There failed not ought" is a strong double negative, emphasizing the completeness and totality of God's fulfillment; literally, "nothing at all failed." The "good thing" refers to all the blessings, provisions, and promises that God had made concerning their inheritance, peace, and security in the land. The term "spoken" (Hebrew: ื“ึผึธื‘ึทืจ, dฤแธ‡ar) signifies a deliberate, authoritative declaration, highlighting the divine origin and certainty of these promises.

Practical Application

For believers today, Joshua 21:45 serves as a profound source of encouragement and assurance. It reminds us that the same God who faithfully fulfilled every promise to ancient Israel is the same God who works in our lives. We can trust in His promises concerning salvation, provision, guidance, and His ultimate plan for redemption. This verse encourages us to stand firm on God's word, knowing that "all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen." It calls us to reflect on God's past faithfulness as a basis for present and future trust, strengthening our faith in His perfect and unchangeable character.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 8:56 (30 votes)

    Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

  • Numbers 23:19 (20 votes)

    God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

  • Joshua 23:14 (20 votes)

    And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.

  • Joshua 23:15 (20 votes)

    Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (16 votes)

    Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

  • 1 Corinthians 1:9 (14 votes)

    God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • Titus 1:2 (12 votes)

    In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;