Joshua 23:9

KJV

For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} hath driven out {H3423} from before {H6440} you great {H1419} nations {H1471} and strong {H6099}: but as for you, no man {H376} hath been able to stand {H5975} before {H6440} you unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why ADONAI has driven out great, strong nations ahead of you; and it explains why no one has prevailed against you to this day,

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD has driven out great and powerful nations before you, and to this day no one can stand against you.

American Standard Version

For Jehovah hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath stood before you unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 23:9 encapsulates the culmination of God's faithfulness to Israel, highlighting His direct intervention in dispossessing formidable nations from the Promised Land. This verse, part of Joshua's poignant farewell address, serves as a powerful reminder that Israel's military successes and secure dwelling were not due to their own might but to the Lord's unwavering power and covenant fidelity, ensuring that no adversary could withstand them as long as God fought on their behalf.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 23:9 is embedded within Joshua's farewell address to the leaders, elders, judges, and officers of Israel, delivered towards the end of his life (Joshua 23:1-16). This discourse, along with the covenant renewal ceremony in [Joshua 24](/joshua/24 "Joshua 24 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem"), functions as Joshua's final charge to the nation. It immediately follows the detailed accounts of the land distribution among the tribes and precedes Joshua's death. The address serves as a retrospective on God's past faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of land and victory, and a prospective exhortation for Israel to remain loyal to the covenant, warning against idolatry and assimilation with the remaining Canaanite peoples. The verse specifically recalls the Lord's active role in the conquest, setting the stage for Joshua's subsequent calls to obedience and warnings against apostasy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the immediate post-conquest period, after the major military campaigns in Canaan had largely concluded, and the land was being settled. Israel had encountered numerous "great nations and strong" (e.g., the Amorites, Hittites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as listed in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of the Land")), many of whom possessed fortified cities and superior military technology, including chariots of iron (cf. [Joshua 17:16](/joshua/17-16 "Joshua 17:16 - Iron Chariots of the Canaanites")). Culturally, these Canaanite peoples were known for their polytheistic worship, including child sacrifice and fertility cults, which Israel was commanded to utterly dispossess and avoid. Joshua's address reminds the Israelites of their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, contrasting it with the practices of the surrounding nations. The phrase "unto this day" underscores the continued reality of God's protection and the ongoing process of fully possessing the land, even as some pockets of resistance remained.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several central themes of the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**, emphasizing that God Himself was the primary agent in Israel's victories, fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abram")) and Moses (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Drive Out Nations")). Secondly, it underscores **Covenant Fulfillment**, demonstrating that God is true to His word, having brought Israel into the land He swore to their fathers. Thirdly, the verse points to **Israel's Dependence on God**, illustrating that their strength and invincibility were entirely derived from God's presence and power working on their behalf, not from their own military prowess. This theme sets the stage for Joshua's subsequent warnings that disobedience would lead to a reversal of this divine favor, as seen in the later history of Israel (e.g., [Judges 2:11-15](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-15 - Israel's Disobedience and Oppression")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Driven out (Hebrew, יָרַשׁ, _yarash'_):** This verb carries a dual meaning of "to dispossess" and "to take possession of." In this context, it emphasizes God's active role in forcibly removing the previous inhabitants of the land to allow Israel to inherit it. It is not merely a passive withdrawal but an aggressive, divinely orchestrated expulsion, highlighting God's power and His direct involvement in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel regarding the land.
* **Stand (Hebrew, קוּם, _qum'_):** This word literally means "to rise" or "to stand." In a military context, as used here, it signifies the ability to withstand, resist, or oppose in battle. The phrase "no man hath been able to stand before you" powerfully conveys the idea of an overwhelming, irresistible force, indicating that no human army or confederation of nations could successfully oppose Israel when the Lord was fighting for them. It speaks to the totality of their divine protection and the decisive nature of their victories.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong:"** This clause serves as the foundational premise for Joshua's exhortation. It unequivocally attributes Israel's success in conquering Canaan to the direct, sovereign action of Yahweh. The "great nations and strong" refer to the formidable Canaanite inhabitants, whose military and cultural power would have been overwhelming for the relatively unorganized Israelite tribes. The emphasis is on God's initiative and power, not Israel's. This statement functions as a retrospective declaration of divine faithfulness, reminding Israel of the undeniable evidence of God's intervention on their behalf.
* **"but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day."** This second clause presents the consequence of the Lord's action: Israel's unchallenged military dominance. The phrase "no man hath been able to stand before you" is a strong affirmation of Israel's invincibility, not inherent in themselves, but derived from God's active presence and protection. The temporal marker "unto this day" reinforces the ongoing reality of this divine favor, even as Joshua speaks. It serves as a powerful testament to God's consistent and sustained support throughout the conquest, underscoring the miraculous nature of their victories against superior forces.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 23:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Divine Agency** is paramount, as the verse explicitly attributes Israel's success ("the LORD hath driven out") directly to God, minimizing human effort and maximizing God's sovereign power. This highlights His faithfulness to the covenant and His active involvement in human history. The phrase "no man hath been able to stand before you" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis. While some pockets of resistance remained and Israel did not fully dispossess all inhabitants, the statement powerfully conveys the overwhelming and decisive nature of God-given victories against the main Canaanite powers. This hyperbole underscores the divine protection and the general truth that no enemy could ultimately thwart God's plan for Israel. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Covenant Language**, implicitly recalling God's promises to Abraham and Moses regarding the land and victory over enemies, reinforcing the idea that Israel's experience is a direct fulfillment of divine commitment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 23:9 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. It reinforces the theological truth that salvation and victory belong to the Lord, not to human strength or strategy. This principle, evident throughout Israel's history, reminds us that God actively intervenes in the affairs of humanity to fulfill His purposes and promises. The verse serves as a powerful testimony to God's reliability, demonstrating that He is capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how formidable, to bring His people into their inheritance. This divine power and faithfulness are not limited to ancient Israel but resonate with God's character throughout redemptive history, offering a foundation for trust and assurance for believers in every age.

* [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - The Lord Your God Will Fight For You")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not By Their Own Sword")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 23:9 provides a timeless source of encouragement and a profound call to trust in God's unfailing power. Just as God fought for ancient Israel, enabling them to overcome "great nations and strong," so too does He fight for believers today against spiritual adversaries and life's overwhelming challenges. This verse reminds us that our victories, whether over sin, temptation, fear, or difficult circumstances, are not achieved through our own limited strength but through the omnipotence of the Lord working on our behalf. It compels us to shift our focus from our perceived weaknesses or the formidable nature of our challenges to the infinite power and faithfulness of God. By remembering His past faithfulness in our lives and in the grand narrative of salvation history, we are empowered to face the future with confidence, knowing that if God is for us, no one can ultimately stand against us. Our primary call is to remain faithful to Him, for our strength and security are found in our unwavering reliance on His divine might.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness in your life strengthen your trust in Him for present and future challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength rather than God's? How can Joshua 23:9 encourage you to surrender those areas to Him?**
* **What "great nations and strong" (spiritual or personal obstacles) are you facing today, and how does this verse inspire you to believe God will fight for you?**

### FAQ

**Does "unto this day" imply that Israel never faced significant opposition after Joshua's time?**

Answer: No, the phrase "unto this day" in Joshua 23:9 refers to the time of Joshua's farewell address, indicating that up to that point, God had consistently ensured Israel's military dominance over the major Canaanite nations. It emphasizes the present reality of God's faithfulness during the conquest period. However, the subsequent book of [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Israel's Failures After Joshua") vividly details Israel's repeated failures to fully dispossess the remaining inhabitants, their intermarriage with them, and their adoption of pagan worship. As a result of this disobedience, Israel often faced oppression from these very nations, demonstrating that God's continued favor and their "invincibility" were conditional upon their covenant obedience, as Joshua himself warns in the verses immediately following (e.g., [Joshua 23:12-13](/joshua/23-12 "Joshua 23:12-13 - Warnings Against Intermarriage")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 23:9, with its declaration of God's power in driving out formidable enemies and ensuring Israel's invincibility, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as the Lord fought for Israel to secure their physical inheritance, Christ has fought and secured for His people an eternal spiritual inheritance. The "great nations and strong" that stood against Israel foreshadow the far more formidable spiritual enemies—sin, death, and the devil—from whom humanity could never deliver itself. It is Christ, the true and greater Joshua, who has "driven out" these ultimate adversaries, triumphing over them decisively through His death and resurrection. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers") declares that He "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." Therefore, for those who are "in Christ," no spiritual foe can ultimately "stand before" them, for their victory is secured in His finished work. The promise of God's presence and power, which enabled Israel to overcome, is fully realized in the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowering believers to live victoriously over sin and the world, knowing that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He Who is in You")). Our "standing" before God and against the enemy is not based on our strength or merit, but entirely on the perfect obedience and sacrificial victory of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 1:5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

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.

Joshua 23:5

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.

Joshua 15:14

And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

Joshua 21:43

¶ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

Joshua 21:44

And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.