Joshua 3:7

KJV

¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Joshua {H3091}, This day {H3117} will I begin {H2490} to magnify {H1431} thee in the sight {H5869} of all Israel {H3478}, that they may know {H3045} that, as I was with Moses {H4872}, so I will be with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Y'hoshua, "Starting today, I will make you great in full view of all Isra'el; so that they will know that just as I was with Moshe, so I will be with you.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 3:7 marks a pivotal divine declaration at a critical juncture in Israel's history, as the LORD directly addresses Joshua, affirming his leadership and promising His unwavering presence. This verse serves as a powerful, public divine endorsement, designed to establish Joshua's authority and credibility in the eyes of all Israel, ensuring their trust and obedience as they stand poised to enter the Promised Land under his command.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration immediately follows the successful mission of the two spies to Jericho (Joshua 2) and precedes the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:9-17). The Israelites have been encamped at Shittim, on the eastern side of the Jordan, for three days, preparing for the daunting task ahead. The narrative flow emphasizes a transition from preparation to action, with God's direct address to Joshua serving as the crucial divine impetus. It builds upon God's initial commissioning of Joshua in [Joshua 1:1-9](/joshua/1 "Joshua 1 - God's Commission to Joshua"), where He first promised His presence and success, and now, in [Joshua 3:7](/joshua/3-7 "Joshua 3:7 - God Magnifies Joshua"), He reiterates and publicly validates that promise before the entire nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The death of Moses, Israel's venerable leader for forty years, left a significant void. While Joshua had been Moses' aide and successor, his authority needed to be unequivocally established in the eyes of a people accustomed to Moses' direct communication with God and miraculous leadership. They were on the brink of invading Canaan, a land inhabited by formidable, well-established nations. In the ancient Near East, a leader's legitimacy was often tied to divine favor and public demonstration of that favor. God's public "magnification" of Joshua was essential to prevent internal dissent, foster unity, and instill confidence in the face of the immense challenges of conquest.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Affirmation of Leadership**, demonstrating that true spiritual authority is not self-proclaimed but divinely appointed and publicly validated by God Himself. Secondly, the phrase "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee" emphasizes the **Continuity of God's Presence and Faithfulness**. It assures Israel that God's covenant promises and His active, powerful presence would not cease with Moses' death but would continue with Joshua, providing immense comfort and confidence. This echoes the promise given to Joshua in [Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "Joshua 1:5 - God's Promise to Joshua"), which also explicitly states, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Thirdly, it signals **Preparation for Great Works**, indicating that Joshua's magnification was not for personal glory but to enable him to lead Israel effectively through the miraculous Jordan River crossing and the subsequent conquest of Canaan, culminating in the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **magnify (Hebrew, _gadal'_):** The Hebrew verb גָּדַל (_gadal_) means "to make great," "to cause to be great," "to exalt," or "to promote." It signifies an increase in status, importance, or authority, rather than physical size. In this context, God's action of "magnifying" Joshua implies a public elevation of his standing and credibility in the eyes of the entire Israelite community. It's an act of divine legitimation, ensuring that the people would perceive Joshua as God's chosen and empowered leader, worthy of the same respect and obedience they afforded Moses.
* **know (Hebrew, _yada'_):** The Hebrew verb יָדַע (_yada'_) means "to know," but often implies more than mere intellectual apprehension. It can denote experiential knowledge, recognition, or acknowledgment. Here, God's purpose is "that they may know" – meaning, that Israel would experientially recognize and acknowledge the reality of God's presence with Joshua, just as they had with Moses. This knowledge would be proven through the subsequent miraculous events, particularly the Jordan crossing, solidifying Joshua's leadership in their hearts and minds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin of the declaration, emphasizing that Joshua's authority is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. The phrase "This day" highlights the immediacy and significance of the moment, marking the commencement of a new phase of leadership. God's commitment to "magnify" Joshua "in the sight of all Israel" underscores the public and undeniable nature of this divine endorsement. It's a public spectacle designed to instill confidence and unity within the nation.
* **"that they may know that":** This phrase articulates the explicit purpose of God's action. The magnification of Joshua is not an end in itself but a means to an end: for the people to gain experiential knowledge and firm conviction regarding God's continued presence and active involvement in their leadership. This knowledge is crucial for their obedience and successful entry into the Promised Land.
* **"as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee.":** This is the core of the divine promise and the foundation of Joshua's legitimacy. It establishes an undeniable continuity of divine presence and favor. The past faithfulness of God with Moses, evidenced by numerous miracles and deliverances (e.g., the Red Sea crossing, the provision of manna), serves as the guarantee for God's future faithfulness with Joshua. This assurance would alleviate any doubts among the people regarding Joshua's capacity to lead them, as it rooted his authority directly in God's unchanging character and covenant commitment.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 3:7 employs several significant literary devices. Foremost is **Divine Speech**, where God directly addresses Joshua, underscoring the absolute authority and certainty of the promise. This direct address elevates the significance of the moment, making it clear that Joshua's leadership is divinely sanctioned. There is also clear **Parallelism** in the phrase "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee," creating a direct comparison and continuity between the two leaders and, more importantly, between God's consistent presence with both. This parallelism serves to reassure the people that the divine power and guidance they experienced under Moses would continue under Joshua. Furthermore, the verse contains an element of **Foreshadowing**, as God's promise to "magnify" Joshua anticipates the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:14-17) and the subsequent victories, which would serve as tangible proof of God's presence with Joshua and indeed magnify him in the eyes of all Israel, as later confirmed in [Joshua 4:14](/joshua/4-14 "Joshua 4:14 - Joshua Magnified After Jordan Crossing").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 3:7 is a profound statement about God's sovereignty over leadership and His unwavering covenant faithfulness. It teaches that God Himself initiates and validates those He calls to lead His people, ensuring their authority is rooted in His divine backing rather than human charisma or appointment. This divine endorsement is not for the leader's personal aggrandizement but for the benefit of the community, enabling them to trust and follow God's appointed shepherd into His purposes. The continuity of God's presence, explicitly stated in the comparison to Moses, highlights God's unchanging character and His commitment to His promises, regardless of changing circumstances or human leadership. This provides immense comfort and confidence, reminding us that God's work is ultimately His own, and He will equip and sustain those through whom He chooses to accomplish it.

This theme of divine presence and affirmation of leaders resonates throughout Scripture:
* [Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "God's Promise to Joshua")
* [Deuteronomy 31:6-8](/deuteronomy/31-6 "God's Promise to Joshua and Israel")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "God's Unchanging Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 3:7 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in raising up and affirming leaders, not just in ancient Israel, but in the church and in our lives. When God calls someone to a task, He also equips and empowers them, often publicly, to ensure their credibility and effectiveness. This verse encourages us to trust in God's presence, especially during times of transition or when facing daunting challenges. Just as He was with Moses and then with Joshua, He promises to be with us, providing the strength, wisdom, and validation needed to fulfill His will. It teaches us to look for God's hand in affirming those He has called and to find our confidence not in human ability, but in God's unchanging faithfulness and His commitment to His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God "magnify" or affirm leaders in the church or in your life today?**
* **What new "Jordan River" challenges are you facing, and how does the promise of God's presence with you, "as He was with Moses," encourage you?**
* **In what ways might you be called to trust God's appointed leaders, even when doubts or uncertainties arise?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary for God to "magnify" Joshua?**

Answer: It was necessary for several crucial reasons. Firstly, Moses had been Israel's leader for forty years, a figure of immense authority and direct divine communication. His death left a significant void, and while Joshua was Moses' chosen successor, his authority needed to be unequivocally established in the eyes of a people accustomed to Moses' unique leadership. Secondly, Israel was on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a task that required immense unity, faith, and obedience to their leader. Any lingering doubts about Joshua's legitimacy or ability could have led to rebellion or failure. God's public "magnification" of Joshua, therefore, served to validate his leadership, instill confidence in the people, and ensure their full cooperation as they embarked on the daunting conquest of Canaan. This divine endorsement was then tangibly demonstrated through the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River under Joshua's command, as recounted in [Joshua 3:14-17](/joshua/3-14 "The Jordan River Crossing").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 3:7, with its emphasis on a divinely appointed leader and the continuity of God's presence, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate leadership and presence found in Jesus Christ. Just as God magnified Joshua in the sight of Israel to lead them into the earthly Promised Land, so God the Father has supremely magnified His Son, Jesus, in the sight of all humanity to lead His people into the true, eternal rest. Jesus is the greater Joshua (a Hellenized form of the name), the one who truly fulfills God's promise to be "with us." He is Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Prophecy of Emmanuel")), the very embodiment of God's presence. While God's presence was with Moses and Joshua externally, in Christ, God's presence is uniquely and fully incarnate. He leads His new covenant people not merely across a physical river but through the spiritual wilderness of sin and death, into the heavenly "rest" that remains for the people of God ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "The Sabbath Rest")). Furthermore, Jesus' ascension did not leave His followers alone; He promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to be "with you forever" ([John 14:16](/john/14-16 "Promise of the Holy Spirit")), ensuring the continuity of God's empowering presence in every believer, just as God was with Joshua. Thus, Joshua 3:7 ultimately points to Christ as the divinely appointed and eternally present Leader who brings His people into their ultimate inheritance.

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.