Joshua 24:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Joshua 24:8 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Joshua's farewell address, serving as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. This verse specifically recounts the Lord's direct intervention in granting Israel victory over the Amorites east of the Jordan, enabling them to possess the land and demonstrating that their success was entirely due to divine power, not human might. It underscores the foundational truth that God actively fights for His people, clearing the way for their inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 24:8 is situated within Joshua's final, climactic address to all the tribes of Israel gathered at Shechem, as recorded in [Joshua 24:1-28](/joshua/24 "Joshua 24 - Joshua's Farewell Address and Covenant Renewal"). This address functions as a covenant renewal ceremony, where Joshua, speaking on behalf of Yahweh, systematically recounts the Lord's mighty acts of salvation and provision from the call of Abraham through the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. The purpose of this historical recitation is to impress upon the new generation the absolute faithfulness of God to His promises and to call them to a renewed, exclusive commitment to Him, contrasting Yahweh's steadfastness with the idolatry of their ancestors. Verse 8 specifically recalls the initial phase of the conquest, focusing on the Transjordanian victories that set the stage for the main invasion of Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan" refers to the territories east of the Jordan River, primarily ruled by the Amorite kings Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan. These were formidable kingdoms that Israel encountered and defeated under Moses' leadership before entering the land of Canaan proper (as detailed in [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Defeat of Sihon and Og")). The Amorites were a prominent Semitic people group, often used broadly in biblical texts to refer to the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan and Transjordan. Their defeat was not merely a military victory but a theological statement: it demonstrated God's power to overcome powerful adversaries and His commitment to dispossess the inhabitants of the land as part of His covenant promise to Abraham (see [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). The gathering at Shechem itself held historical significance, being a place of early covenant interaction (e.g., [Genesis 12:6-7](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - Abraham's Call and Promise at Shechem")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, emphasized by the repeated first-person pronoun "I" ("I brought," "I gave," "I destroyed"), highlighting that Israel's success was not due to their military might but entirely to God's active and decisive intervention. This reinforces the principle that salvation and victory belong to the Lord, a theme echoed throughout the conquest narratives (e.g., [Joshua 10:42](/joshua/10-42 "Joshua 10:42 - The Lord Fought for Israel")). Secondly, it underscores **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God's actions in giving Israel the land of the Amorites were a direct fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham regarding the inheritance of the land. This serves as a powerful testament to God's reliability in keeping His word across generations. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Conquest and Inheritance**, portraying the defeat of the Amorites as a critical, divinely ordained step in Israel's journey to possess their promised inheritance, demonstrating God's commitment to establish His people in the land He had prepared for them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Amorites (Hebrew, _ʼEmōrī_):** This term refers to a significant Semitic people group who inhabited both sides of the Jordan River prior to the Israelite conquest. In some biblical contexts, "Amorites" is used as a general term for the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan. Their mention here specifically recalls the powerful kingdoms of Sihon and Og, whose defeat was a crucial early victory for Israel, demonstrating God's ability to overcome formidable adversaries and prepare the way for His people's inheritance.
* **"gave them into your hand" (Hebrew, _nātan bĕyad_):** This is a common biblical idiom signifying a complete and decisive victory granted by God. It implies total subjugation, control, and defeat of the enemy. The use of this phrase emphasizes that the triumph was a divine gift and accomplishment, not merely a human military achievement, reinforcing God's sovereignty over the outcome of battles.
* **destroyed (Hebrew, _šāmad_):** This verb often carries the connotation of utter destruction, eradication, or extermination. In the context of the conquest, it reflects God's judgment upon the wicked inhabitants of the land and His commitment to clear the way for Israel to possess their inheritance without the corrupting influence of the previous inhabitants. It highlights the thoroughness of God's intervention on behalf of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan;":** This clause emphasizes God's initiative and leading. It was Yahweh who actively guided Israel and brought them to the specific territory of the Amorites, east of the Jordan River. This sets the stage for the subsequent divine intervention, highlighting that Israel's presence in this contested land was by divine appointment.
* **"and they fought with you:":** This acknowledges the reality of the conflict. The Amorites did not simply surrender; they actively resisted Israel. This detail underscores that the victory was not effortless or without opposition, making God's subsequent intervention even more significant. It reminds the hearers that they faced real, formidable enemies.
* **"and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land;":** This is the core declaration of divine victory. Despite the Amorites' resistance, God Himself intervened to grant Israel complete victory ("gave them into your hand"). The purpose of this divine act was explicitly "that ye might possess their land," directly linking God's power to the fulfillment of His promise of inheritance to His people.
* **"and I destroyed them from before you.":** This final clause reiterates the completeness and divine nature of the victory. The "destruction" signifies the thorough removal of the Amorite threat, ensuring Israel's secure possession of the territory. The repeated "I" throughout the verse underscores that God alone was the agent of this decisive triumph, clearing all obstacles for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 24:8 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the repeated use of the first-person pronoun "I" ("I brought," "I gave," "I destroyed"). This anaphora powerfully emphasizes God's singular agency and initiative in Israel's history, underscoring that their victories and inheritance were entirely His doing, not a result of their own strength or strategy. This serves to humble Israel and direct their worship and obedience solely to Yahweh. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a common **Idiom**, "I gave them into your hand," which is a well-understood military phrase in the Old Testament signifying complete and decisive victory, often divinely granted. This idiom efficiently communicates the totality of the Amorites' defeat and Israel's subjugation of their land. Finally, the verse is part of a broader **Recapitulation** of Israel's history, a rhetorical device used by Joshua to remind the people of God's past faithfulness, thereby building a compelling case for their continued obedience and renewed covenant commitment in the present.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 24:8 is a powerful theological statement about God's active involvement in the lives of His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It emphasizes that Israel's success in possessing the land was not a result of their military prowess or strategic genius, but solely due to the sovereign power and faithful intervention of Yahweh. This truth serves as a foundational reminder that God fights for His people, clearing obstacles and delivering on His word. It teaches that divine provision precedes human possession, and that true security and inheritance come from trusting in God's mighty hand rather than human strength. This historical account is meant to inspire awe and exclusive devotion to the God who keeps His promises and actively works on behalf of those He has chosen.

* [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - The Lord Your God Fights for You")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 24:8 serves as a timeless reminder that our victories, provisions, and inheritances in life are ultimately gifts from God, not achievements of our own making. Just as God actively fought for Israel, clearing the way for them to possess their promised land, so too does He work on behalf of believers today, overcoming obstacles and fulfilling His purposes in our lives. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep sense of humility and gratitude, recognizing that all good things come from His hand. When we face "giants" or seemingly insurmountable challenges, we are encouraged to recall God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in our own personal experience, strengthening our faith to trust in His continued provision and power. It challenges us to surrender our self-reliance and instead lean fully on the God who promises to fight for us, enabling us to walk in the spiritual inheritance He has prepared.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, as recounted in Joshua 24:8, strengthen your faith in His ability to help you overcome current challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength rather than acknowledging God's sovereign power and provision?**
* **What "land" or "inheritance" has God promised you, and how does this verse encourage you to trust Him to clear the way for its possession?**

### FAQ

**Why is the defeat of the Amorites specifically highlighted in this summary of God's acts?**

Answer: The defeat of the Amorites, particularly the kingdoms of Sihon and Og east of the Jordan, was a crucial and foundational victory for Israel. It marked their first significant conquest of settled territory and demonstrated God's power over formidable, established kingdoms even before Israel entered the main land of Canaan. This initial success served as a powerful sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to give Israel the land (see [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Defeat of Sihon and Og") for details). By highlighting this specific event, Joshua reminds the people that God was actively at work from the very beginning of their conquest, laying the groundwork for all subsequent victories and reinforcing the theme of divine initiative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 24:8, with its emphasis on God's active intervention to defeat enemies and secure an inheritance for His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God "brought" Israel into the land and "destroyed" their physical enemies, Christ is the One who brings His people into a spiritual inheritance and utterly defeats our ultimate enemies. He is the true Captain of our salvation, leading us not into a physical land, but into the kingdom of God and eternal life (see [Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - The Captain of Our Salvation")). The "Amorites" and other enemies of Israel foreshadow the spiritual adversaries—sin, death, and the devil—that humanity faces. Christ, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, "gave them into your hand" by disarming and triumphing over these powers (as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He "destroyed" the power of death and the one who holds its power, the devil (see [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Thus, the secure possession of the land by Israel points to the believer's secure spiritual inheritance in Christ, an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us (as promised in [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Inheritance Kept in Heaven")). The divine "I" of Joshua 24:8, representing Yahweh's sovereign action, is perfectly embodied in Christ, through whom God accomplishes His ultimate redemptive purposes.

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

Numbers 21:21

¶ 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.