Joshua 23:9

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.

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}.

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,

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

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

Context of Joshua 23:9

Joshua 23:9 is part of Joshua's farewell address to the leaders of Israel, delivered towards the end of his life, after the main conquest of Canaan had been completed. This discourse, found in Joshua chapters 23 and 24, serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and a strong exhortation for Israel to remain obedient to the covenant. Joshua reviews the Lord's mighty acts on behalf of His people, emphasizing that their success was not due to their own strength but to God's direct intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Faithfulness and Power: The verse unequivocally attributes Israel's military success and the dispossession of powerful nations to the Lord. It highlights God's active role in fulfilling His promises to give Israel the Promised Land, demonstrating His omnipotence and unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
  • Israel's Invincibility (Under God): The phrase "no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day" underscores that as long as Israel remained faithful to God, no human army or confederation of nations could withstand them. Their strength was derived directly from the Lord's presence and power working on their behalf.
  • Covenant Fulfillment: Joshua's words are a testament to the fulfillment of God's earlier promises, particularly those given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, regarding the land and victory over enemies. This serves as a foundational proof of God's reliability, urging future generations to trust Him completely.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong" uses the verb "driven out," which in Hebrew is related to the root yarash (יָרַשׁ), often meaning to dispossess or to take possession of. This emphasizes God's active role in dispossessing the former inhabitants of Canaan to make way for Israel. The latter part, "no man hath been able to stand before you," conveys the idea of no one being able to withstand or resist them in battle, highlighting the divine protection and assistance Israel received.

Practical Application and Reflection

Joshua 23:9 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as God fought for Israel and delivered them from formidable enemies, He continues to be our strength and deliverer. This verse reminds us that our victories, whether over spiritual strongholds or life's challenges, come not from our own might but from the Lord's power working through us. It calls us to:

  • Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflect on how God has been faithful in your past, using those experiences as a foundation for trust in present and future challenges.
  • Lean on God's Strength: Recognize that true strength comes from relying on God, not on human capabilities or resources. As Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
  • Live in Obedience: The context of Joshua's speech ties God's continued favor to Israel's obedience. Similarly, our ability to experience God's power and presence is often linked to our willingness to follow His commands. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the Lord our God is with us wherever we go, empowering us to overcome.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

    ΒΆ 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.
← Back