Joshua 24:8

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

And I brought {H935} you into the land {H776} of the Amorites {H567}, which dwelt {H3427} on the other side {H5676} Jordan {H3383}; and they fought {H3898} with you: and I gave {H5414} them into your hand {H3027}, that ye might possess {H3423} their land {H776}; and I destroyed {H8045} them from before {H6440} you.

I brought you into the land of the Emori living beyond the Yarden; they fought against you, but I handed them over to you. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them ahead of you.

Later, I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan. They fought against you, but I delivered them into your hand, that you should possess their land when I destroyed them before you.

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, that dwelt beyond the Jordan: and they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand, and ye possessed their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 24:8 (KJV)

Joshua 24:8 is a pivotal verse within Joshua's final address to the Israelites at Shechem, where he recounts the Lord's faithful actions throughout their history. This verse specifically highlights God's direct intervention in bringing Israel into the promised land and securing their initial victories.

Context

This verse is part of Joshua's powerful farewell address at Shechem, where he gathers all the tribes of Israel to renew their covenant with God before his death. Joshua, speaking on behalf of God, systematically recounts the Lord's mighty acts from Abraham's call through the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. Verse 8 specifically refers to the campaigns east of the Jordan River, where Israel encountered and defeated the Amorites under the leadership of Moses, prior to crossing into the main part of Canaan. This historical recollection serves as a foundational reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and power, urging the new generation to commit fully to Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Provision: The repeated use of "I brought," "I gave," and "I destroyed" emphasizes that Israel's success was not due to their own strength or military prowess, but entirely to God's active and decisive intervention. He initiated the process, empowered them, and cleared their enemies.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: God's actions in giving Israel the land of the Amorites were a direct fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the inheritance of the land. This verse underscores God's reliability in keeping His word.
  • Conquest and Inheritance: The defeat of the Amorites was a critical step in Israel's journey to possess the land promised to them. It demonstrates God's commitment to establish His people in their inheritance, removing obstacles in their path.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Amorites" (Hebrew: ʼEmōrī) refers to a prominent Semitic people group inhabiting Canaan and Transjordan. In some biblical texts, "Amorites" is used broadly to encompass various pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land. Their defeat, often associated with the kings Sihon and Og, was a significant early victory for Israel, demonstrating God's power over formidable adversaries.

The phrase "I gave them into your hand" is a common biblical idiom signifying a complete and decisive victory granted by God. It implies total subjugation and control, highlighting that the triumph was a divine gift, not merely a human achievement.

Practical Application

Joshua 24:8 serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His people. Just as He fought for Israel, providing victory and delivering on His promises, so too does He work on behalf of believers today. This verse encourages us to:

  • Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflecting on how God has provided and overcome challenges in the past can strengthen our faith for present and future trials.
  • Trust in Divine Provision: When facing "giants" or obstacles in life, we are reminded that God is capable of giving our adversaries into our hand, enabling us to possess what He has promised. This echoes other passages where God assures His people, "the Lord your God is He who fights for you."
  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Our successes and breakthroughs are ultimately His doing. This fosters humility and reliance on Him rather than on our own abilities.
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

  • Numbers 21:21

    ΒΆ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

  • Numbers 21:35

    So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

  • Psalms 135:10

    Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;

  • Psalms 135:11

    Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

  • Joshua 13:10

    And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

  • Psalms 136:17

    To him which smote great kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

  • Psalms 136:22

    [Even] an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
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