Joshua 23:5

KJV

And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, he shall expel {H1920} them from before {H6440} you, and drive {H3423} them from out of your sight {H6440}; and ye shall possess {H3423} their land {H776}, as the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} hath promised {H1696} unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI your God will thrust them out ahead of you and drive them out of your sight, so that you will possess their land, as ADONAI your God told you.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah your God, he will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as Jehovah your God spake unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 23:5 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign power at a pivotal moment in Israel's history. Delivered by an aging Joshua, this verse assures the Israelites that the LORD their God, who has already demonstrated His might in their past conquests, will continue to actively expel the remaining inhabitants from the land. It emphasizes that Israel's future possession of the promised inheritance is not contingent on their own strength, but on God's steadfast commitment to His covenant promises, guaranteeing the fulfillment of His word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 23 initiates Joshua's farewell address to the leaders, elders, judges, and officers of Israel, serving as a solemn and final charge before his death. This chapter, along with chapter 24, functions as a covenant renewal ceremony, reminding the people of God's past faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of the land and urging them to renewed obedience. Verse 5 specifically looks forward, assuring them of God's continued involvement in their future, even as the initial phase of conquest has largely concluded. It bridges the past victories with the ongoing challenge of fully possessing the land, setting the stage for the conditional blessings and curses outlined in the subsequent verses and echoing the covenant stipulations found throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Second Law").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in Israel's history, the major campaigns of the conquest are over, and the land has been largely apportioned among the tribes. However, significant pockets of Canaanite inhabitants and fortified cities still remain (e.g., [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Incomplete Conquest of Benjamin")). The cultural context involves the constant temptation for Israel to assimilate with the surrounding pagan nations, adopting their idolatrous practices and intermarrying with them. Joshua's address, and specifically verse 5, serves as a crucial reminder that the ongoing "dispossession" of these peoples is God's work, intended to prevent spiritual contamination and secure Israel's unique identity as His holy nation. The concept of "possessing the land" was not merely about physical territory but about realizing the full scope of God's covenant blessing and rest.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 23:5 powerfully encapsulates several core themes central to the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Promise and Faithfulness**, highlighting God's absolute reliability in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abram")). The verse underscores **God's Sovereign Power in Conquest**, emphasizing that it is "the LORD your God" who "shall expel them" and "drive them from out of your sight," not Israel's military might. This divine agency is consistently portrayed throughout Joshua, as seen in miraculous victories like the fall of Jericho ([Joshua 6:20](/joshua/6-20 "Joshua 6:20 - The Fall of Jericho")) and the sun standing still ([Joshua 10:14](/joshua/10-14 "Joshua 10:14 - The Lord Fought for Israel")). Finally, the verse speaks to **The Inheritance of the Land**, portraying the physical possession of Canaan as the tangible fulfillment of God's promise of a homeland, a place of rest and blessing for His people. This physical inheritance anticipates the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Expel (Hebrew, _yarash'_):** This verb carries a rich dual meaning. While it often translates as "to dispossess" or "to drive out," it also frequently means "to possess" or "to inherit." In this context, God's act of "expelling" the Canaanites directly enables Israel to "possess" their land. It underscores the active, forceful removal by God that clears the way for Israel's inheritance, emphasizing the divine initiative in securing their promised dwelling.
* **Drive (Hebrew, _nashal'_):** The KJV "drive them from out of your sight" translates the Hebrew verb `nashal`, which means "to draw out," "to pull off," or "to remove." It implies a thorough and complete removal, often with the sense of stripping away or dislodging. The phrase "from out of your sight" reinforces the idea of a visible and undeniable act of God, ensuring that the former inhabitants would no longer be a visible presence or a source of trouble to Israel.
* **Promised (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** This word refers to God's spoken word, His divine utterance. The repetition of "as the LORD your God hath promised unto you" grounds the entire assurance in the absolute reliability and unchangeable nature of God's covenant oath. It is not a mere suggestion or hope, but a divine decree that carries the weight of His character and power, ensuring its eventual fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the primary and active agent. The repetition of "the LORD your God" emphasizes His covenant relationship with Israel and His personal commitment to them. The future tense "shall expel" indicates an ongoing, certain action, assuring Israel that the work of dispossessing their enemies, though not yet complete, will indeed be accomplished by divine power.
* **"and drive them from out of your sight":** This phrase further elaborates on the completeness and visibility of God's action. It signifies a thorough removal, leaving no lingering presence of the enemy to trouble or tempt Israel. The idea of being "out of your sight" suggests not only physical removal but also the cessation of their influence and threat, providing a clear demonstration of God's power.
* **"and ye shall possess their land":** This clause highlights the direct outcome of God's intervention for Israel. As God expels and drives out, Israel will enter into and take ownership of the land. This is the fulfillment of the long-awaited promise, signifying rest, security, and the establishment of their national identity in the place God ordained for them.
* **"as the LORD your God hath promised unto you":** This concluding phrase serves as the theological anchor for the entire verse. It reiterates that the basis for God's actions and Israel's future possession is not their merit or strength, but God's unchangeable word. It reminds them that everything unfolding is a direct consequence of His faithful covenant promises, reinforcing His trustworthiness and sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 23:5 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly with the phrase "the LORD your God," which appears twice, emphatically highlighting God's personal relationship with Israel and His direct involvement in their destiny. This repetition serves to underscore the divine agency and faithfulness. The verse also uses **Emphasis** on God's power through the strong verbs "expel" and "drive," portraying Him as the active, irresistible force behind the conquest. There is a clear element of **Foreshadowing**, as the verse looks to the future, assuring Israel of complete possession despite present challenges. Finally, the entire verse is steeped in **Covenant Language**, referencing God's "promise," which evokes the foundational agreements with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, grounding Israel's present and future in the historical faithfulness of their covenant-keeping God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 23:5 is a powerful declaration of God's covenant faithfulness, echoing through the corridors of salvation history. It reveals a God who not only makes promises but actively intervenes to ensure their fulfillment. This divine reliability is a cornerstone of biblical theology, demonstrating that God's word is never empty but always accomplishes its intended purpose. Just as He promised the land to Abraham and then brought Israel into it, He continues to work out His purposes in the world and in the lives of His people, often through a process of gradual conquest and spiritual warfare against opposing forces. The physical possession of the land in Joshua foreshadows a deeper, spiritual inheritance and rest that God promises to His faithful.

* [Deuteronomy 7:22](/deuteronomy/7-22 "Deuteronomy 7:22 - Gradual Dispossession")
* [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Possessing the Land")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 23:5 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today, reminding us that the same faithful God who acted on behalf of ancient Israel continues to work in our lives. Just as Israel faced remaining enemies, we too encounter spiritual adversaries, personal struggles, and systemic injustices that threaten our peace and spiritual inheritance. This verse calls us to trust implicitly in God's sovereign power to "expel" and "drive out" these obstacles, enabling us to "possess" the spiritual ground He has given us in Christ. It challenges us to remember His past faithfulness in our own lives, drawing strength from His proven track record to face current and future challenges. Our "possession" of spiritual blessings—peace, joy, righteousness, victory over sin—is not by our might but by His promise and power, calling us to active faith and obedience as we step into the fullness of our inheritance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your trust in His promises for your future?**
* **What "enemies" or obstacles in your life do you need God to "expel" or "drive out" so you can fully "possess" the spiritual inheritance He has given you?**
* **In what ways are you actively participating in receiving and living out the promises of God in your life today?**

### FAQ
**Did Israel completely possess the land as promised, given that Joshua 23:5 speaks of future expulsion?**

Answer: While Joshua 23:5 assures Israel that God *would* expel the remaining inhabitants, the historical record in the book of Judges shows that Israel's obedience was often incomplete, leading to a partial, rather than full, expulsion of the Canaanites. God's promise was contingent on Israel's faithfulness to the covenant, particularly their commitment to driving out the nations and avoiding idolatry. Because of their disobedience and failure to fully obey God's command, many Canaanites remained in the land, becoming "thorns in their sides" ([Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Remaining Inhabitants as Thorns")). This demonstrates that while God's ability and willingness to fulfill His promises are absolute, their experiential realization often depends on human responsiveness and obedience. God's promise was always true, but Israel's failure to fully appropriate it through obedience led to an incomplete possession.

**How does this verse, which speaks of expelling nations, relate to the concept of "holy war" in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Joshua 23:5 is indeed situated within the broader context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, often referred to as "holy war." It highlights the divine mandate and agency behind these campaigns. The "holy war" was a unique, divinely ordained act of judgment against the exceedingly wicked Canaanite nations, whose idolatry, child sacrifice, and moral depravity had reached a point where divine judgment was necessary ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). It was not a model for all warfare or a justification for conquest by any nation at any time. Instead, it underscores God's sovereignty over nations, His justice in judging sin, and His faithfulness in establishing His covenant people in their promised land. The emphasis in Joshua 23:5 is on God as the one who "shall expel them," reinforcing that the ultimate victory and the ethical justification for the conquest rested solely with Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 23:5, with its promise of God expelling enemies and granting full possession of the land, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The physical land of Canaan, a place of rest and inheritance secured by God's power, serves as a powerful type for the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest that believers receive in Christ. Jesus is the true Joshua, the one who leads His people into their ultimate promised land—not a geographical territory, but the spiritual kingdom of God. He is the one who truly "expels" and "drives out" the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the power of Satan. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ has conquered these spiritual adversaries, delivering us from the domain of darkness and transferring us into His kingdom ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). The "possession" of the land foreshadows the believer's spiritual inheritance of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")). The "rest" that Israel sought in Canaan is fully realized in Christ, who invites us to find rest for our souls in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Ultimately, the victory promised in Joshua 23:5 is perfectly accomplished in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and ensures our eternal inheritance with Him ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Rest")).

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 13:6

All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, [and] all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Exodus 33:2

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

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.

Deuteronomy 11:23

Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

Exodus 23:30

By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.

Exodus 23:31

And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Joshua 23:12

Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: