The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  1:9 LORD…is with you. This assurance has always been the staying sufficiency for His servants such as: Abraham (Gen. 15:1); Moses and his people (Ex. 14:13); Isaiah (Is. 41:10); Jeremiah (Jer. 1:7, 8); and Christians through the centuries (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5).

  1:11 within three days. In some cases, events which took place before this announcement and these 3 days (cf. 3:2) are described later on, e.g., Joshua’s sending two scouts to check out the Land (2:22).

  Josh. 1:11

  Joshua’s Preparation for Ministry

  1. Ex. 17:9, 10, 13–14 Joshua led the victorious battle against the Amalekites.

  2. Ex. 24:13 Joshua, the servant of Moses, accompanied the Jewish leader to the mountain of God (cf. 32:17).

  3. Num. 11:28 Joshua was the attendant of Moses from his youth.

  4. Num. 13:16 Moses changed his name from Hosea (“salvation”) to Joshua (“the Lord saves”).

  5. Num. 14:6–10, 30, 38 Joshua, along with Caleb, spied out the land of Canaan with 10 others. Only Joshua and Caleb urged the nation to possess the land and, thus, only they of the 12 actually entered Canaan.

  6. Num. 27:18 Joshua was indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

  7. Num. 27:18–23 Joshua was commissioned for spiritual service the first time, to assist Moses.

  8. Num. 32:12 Joshua followed the Lord fully.

  9. Deut. 31:23 Joshua was commissioned a second time, to replace Moses.

  10. Deut. 34:9 Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom.

  1:12 half the tribe of Manasseh. In Gen. 48 Jacob blessed both sons of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh, so that Joseph actually received a double blessing (Gen. 48:22). This allowed for 12 allotments of the Land, Levi being excluded because of priestly function.

  1:13–18 The LORD …is giving you this land. God gave them these lands directly across the Jordan River on the E. (cf. Num. 32). Yet, it was their duty to assist the other tribes of Israel to invade and conquer their allotted land to the W.

  Joshua 2

  2:1 two men…to spy. These scouts would inform Joshua on various features of the topography, food, drinking water, and defenses to be overcome in the invasion. Acacia Grove…Jericho. The grove (cf. 3:1) was situated in foothills about 7 mi. E of the Jordan, and Jericho lay seven mi. W of the river. house of a harlot. Their purpose was not impure; rather, the spies sought a place where they would not be conspicuous. Resorting to such a house would be a good cover, from where they might learn something of Jericho. Also, a house on the city wall (v. 15) would allow a quick getaway. In spite of this precaution, their presence became known (vv. 2, 3). God, in His sovereign providence, wanted them there for the salvation of the harlot. She would provide an example of His saving by faith a woman at the bottom of the social strata, as He saved Abraham at the top (cf. James 2:18–25). Most importantly, by God’s grace she was in the Messianic line (Matt. 1:5).

  2:2 the king. He was not over a broad domain, but only the city-state. Kings over other city areas appear later during this conquest (cf. 8:23; 12:24).

  2:4, 5 Cf. vv. 9–11. Lying is sin to God (Ex. 20:16), for He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). God commended her faith (Heb. 11:31; James 2:25) as expressed in vv. 9–16, not her lie. He never condones any sin, yet none are without some sin (cf. Rom. 3:23), thus the need for forgiveness. But He also honors true faith, small as it is, and imparts saving grace (Ex. 34:7).

  2:6 stalks of flax. These fibers, used for making linen, were stems about 3 feet long, left to sit in water, then piled in the sun or on a level roof to dry.

  2:11 God in heaven above and on earth beneath. She confessed the realization that He is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all that exists (cf. Deut. 4:39; Acts 14:15; 17:23–28), thus the Supreme One.

  2:15, 16 Her home was on the city wall, with the Jordan (v. 7) to the E. The rugged mountains to the W provided many hiding places.

  2:18 cord. A different word from “rope” (v. 15). Scarlet, unlike drab green, brown, gray, etc., is better seen to mark the house for protection. The color also is fitting for these whose blood (v. 19) was under God’s pledge of safety.

  Joshua 3

  3:3 the ark. Symbolized God’s presence going before His people. Kohathites customarily carried the ark (Num. 4:15; 7:9), but in this unusual case the Levitical priests transported it, as in Josh. 6:6 and 1 Kin. 8:3–6.

  3:4 two thousand cubits. 1,000 yards.

  3:8 stand in the Jordan. The priests were to stand there to permit time for God’s words (v. 9) to stimulate reflection on the greatness of God’s eminent action in giving the Land as He showed His presence (v. 10). Also, it was a preparation to allow the people following to get set for God’s miracle which stopped the waters for a crossing (vv. 13–17).

  3:10 Canaanite people to be killed or defeated were sinful to the point of extreme (cf. Gen. 15:16; Lev. 18:24, 25). God, as moral judge, has the right to deal with all people, as at the end (Rev. 20:11–15) or any other time when He deems it appropriate for His purposes. The question is not why God chose to destroy these sinners, but why He had let them live so long, and why all sinners are not destroyed far sooner than they are. It is grace that allows any sinner to draw one more breath of life (cf. Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23).

  Josh. 3:11

  The Peoples Around the Promised Land

  (cf. Ex. 34:10-17; Deut. 20:17; Josh. 3:10; 9:1; 24:11)

  1. AMALEKITES The descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12), who dwelt S of Palestine in the Negev.

  2. AMMONITES The descendants of Ammon, the grandson of Lot by his youngest daughter (Gen. 19:38), who lived E of the Jordan River and N of Moab.

  3. AMORITES A general term for the inhabitants of the Land, but especially for the descendants of Canaan who inhabited the hill country on both sides of the Jordan.

  4. CANAANITES Broadly speaking, these are the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham, son of Noah (cf. Gen. 10:15–18), and included many of the other groups named here.

  5. EDOMITES The descendants of Esau who settled SE of Palestine (cf. Gen. 25:30) in the land of Seir.

  6. GEBALITES People of the ancient seaport later known as Byblos, about 20 mi. N of modern Beirut (Josh. 13:5).

  7. GESHURITES The inhabitants of Geshur, E of the Jordan and to the S of Syria (Josh. 12:5).

  8. GIBEONITES The inhabitants of Gibeon and surrounding area (Josh. 9:17).

  9. GIRGASHITES A tribe descended from Canaan, which was included among the general population of the Land without specific geographical identity.

  10. GIRZITES An obscure group which lived in the NW part of the Negev, before they were destroyed by David (1 Sam. 27:8, 9).

  11. HITTITES Immigrants from the Hittite Empire (in the region of Syria) to the central region of the Land (cf. Gen. 23:10; 2 Sam. 11:3).

  12. HIVITES Descendants of Canaan who lived in the northern reaches of the Land.

  13. HORITES Ancient residents of Edom from an unknown origin who were destroyed by Esau’s descendants (Deut. 2:22).

  14. JEBUSITES Descendants of Canaan who dwelt in the hill country around Jerusalem (cf. Gen. 15:21; Ex. 3:8).

  15. KENITES A Midianite tribe that originally dwelt in the Gulf of Aqabah region (1 Sam. 27:10).

  16. MOABITES The descendants of Moab, the grandson of Lot by his eldest daughter (Gen. 19:37), who lived E of the Dead Sea.

  17. PERIZZITES People included among the general population of the Land who do not trace their lineage to Canaan. Their exact identity is uncertain.

  3:16 rose in a heap. The God of all power, who created heaven, earth, and all else according to Gen. 1, worked miracles here. The waters were dammed up at Adam, a city 15 mi. N of the crossing, and also in tributary creeks. Once the miracle was completed, God permitted waters to flow again (4:18) after all the people had walked to the other side on dry ground (3:17). As the Exodus had begun (cf. Ex. 14), so it ended.

  Joshua 4

  4:1–8 Twelve stones picked up from the riverbed became a memorial to God’s faithfuln
ess. They were set up at Gilgal (about 1¼ mi. from Jericho), which was Israel’s first campsite in the invaded land (vv. 19, 20). Placing 12 stones in the riverbed itself commemorated the place which God dried up, where His ark had been held, and where He showed by a miracle His mighty presence and worthiness of respect (vv. 9–11, 21–24).

  4:19 tenth day…first month. March-April. Abib was the term used by pre-exilic Jews; Nisan later came to be used by post-exilic Israel.

  Joshua 5

  5:1 heard. Reports of God’s supernaturally opening a crossing struck fear into the Canaanites. The miracle was all the more incredible and shocking since God performed it when the Jordan was swollen to flood height (3:15). To the people in the Land, this miracle was a powerful demonstration proving that God is mighty (4:24). This came on top of reports about the Red Sea miracle (2:10).

  5:2 circumcise. God commanded Joshua to see that this was done to all males under 40. These were sons of the generation who died in the wilderness, survivors (cf. vv. 6, 7) from the new generation God spared in Num. 13, 14. This surgical sign of a faith commitment to the Abrahamic Covenant (see Gen. 17:9–14) had been ignored during the wilderness trek. Now God wanted it reinstated, so the Israelites would start out right in the Land they were possessing. See note on Jer. 4:4.

  5:8 they were healed. This speaks of the time needed to recover from such a painful and potentially infected wound.

  5:9 rolled away the reproach. By His miracle of bringing the people into the Land, God removed (rolled away) the ridicule which the Egyptians had heaped on them.

  5:10 Passover. Commemorated God’s deliverance from Egypt, recorded in Ex. 7–12. Such a remembrance was a strengthening preparation for trusting God to work in possessing the new land.

  5:12 manna ceased. God had begun to provide this food from the time of Ex. 16 and did so for 40 years (Ex. 16:35). Since food was plentiful in the land of Canaan, they could provide for themselves with produce such as dates, barley, and olives.

  5:13–15 Commander. The Lord Jesus Christ (6:2; cf. 5:15 with Ex. 3:2, 5) in a pre-incarnate appearance (Christophany). He came as the Angel (Messenger) of the Lord, as if He were a man (cf. the one of 3 “angels,” Gen. 18). Joshua fittingly was reverent in worship. The Commander, sword drawn, showed a posture indicating He was set to give Israel victory over the Canaanites (6:2; cf. 1:3).

  Joshua 6

  6:1 Jericho. The city was fortified by a double ring of walls, the outer 6 ft. thick and the inner 12; timbers were laid across these, supporting houses on the walls. Since Jericho was built on a hill, it could be taken only by mounting a steep incline, which put the Israelites at a great disadvantage. Attackers of such a “fortress” often used a siege of several months to force surrender through starvation.

  6:3–21 The bizarre military strategy of marching around Jericho gave occasion for the Israelites to take God at His promise (v. 2). They would also heighten the defenders’ uneasiness. Seven is sometimes a number used to signify completeness (cf. 2 Kin. 5:10, 14).

  6:5 God assured Israel of an astounding miracle, just as He had done at the Jordan.

  6:16 The loud shout in unison expressed an expectation of God’s action to fulfill His guaranteed promise (vv. 2, 5, 16).

  6:17 doomed. The Heb. term means “utterly destroyed,” as in v. 21; i.e., to ban or devote as spoil for a deity. Here it is stated to be retained for God’s possession, a tribute belonging to Him for the purpose of destruction.

  6:22–25 Joshua honored the promise of safety to the household of Rahab. The part of the wall securing this house must not have fallen, and all possessions in the dwelling were safe.

  6:26 God put a curse on whoever would rebuild Jericho. While the area around it was later occupied to some extent (2 Sam. 10:5), in Ahab’s reign Hiel rebuilt Jericho and experienced the curse by losing his eldest and youngest sons (1 Kin. 16:34).

  6:27 God kept His pledge that He would be with Joshua (1:5–9).

  Joshua 7

  7:1–5 Israel’s defeat here is similar to an earlier setback against the Amalekites (Num. 14:39–45).

  7:2 Ai. A town situated W of the Jordan, in the hills E of Bethel (cf. Gen. 12:8).

  7:3 few. The “few” inhabitants of Ai are numbered at 12,000 in 8:25 (cf. 8:3).

  7:9 what will You do for Your great name? The main issue is the glory and honor of God (cf. Daniel’s prayer in Dan. 9:16–19).

  7:15, 24, 25 Achan’s family faced execution with him. They were regarded as co-conspirators in what he did. They helped cover up his guilt and withheld information from others. Similarly, family members died in Korah’s rebellion (Num. 16), Haman’s fall (Esth. 9:13–14), and after Daniel’s escape (Dan. 6:24).

  7:21 I saw. There are 4 steps in the progress of Achan’s sin: “I saw… I coveted…I took…I concealed.” David’s sin with Bathsheba followed the same path (2 Sam. 11; cf. James 1:14, 15). a beautiful Babylonian garment. A costly, ornate robe of Shinar beautified by colored figures of men or animals, woven or done in needlework, and perhaps trimmed with jewels. The word is used for a king’s robe in Jon. 3:6.

  7:24 Achor. Lit. “trouble” (cf. Is. 65:10; Hos. 2:15).

  Joshua 8

  8:3 thirty thousand…men. Joshua’s elite force was far superior to that of Ai, with a mere 12,000 total population (8:25). This time Joshua took no small force presumptuously (cf. 7:3, 4), but had 30,000 to sack and burn Ai, a decoy group to lure defenders out (vv. 5, 6), and a third detachment of about 5,000 to prevent Bethel from helping Ai (v. 12).

  8:7 God will deliver it into your hand. God had sovereignly caused Israel’s defeat earlier due to Achan’s disobedience (7:1–5). Yet, this time, despite Israel’s overwhelming numbers, God was still the sovereign power for this victory (8:7).

  8:18 the spear. Joshua’s hoisted javelin represented the go-ahead indicator to occupy Ai. Possibly the raising was even a signal of confidence in God: “for I will give it into your hand.” Earlier, Moses’ uplifted rod and arms probably signified trusting contact with God for victory over Amalek (Ex. 17:8–13).

  8:29 the king of Ai. The complete execution of Ai’s populace included hanging even the king. This wise move prevented later efforts to muster a Canaanite army. Further, as a wicked king, he was worthy of punishment according to biblical standards (Deut. 21:22; Josh. 10:26, 27). This carried out the vengeance of God on His enemies.

  8:30–35 This ceremony took place in obedience to Deut. 27:1–26 at the conclusion of Joshua’s central campaign (cf. 6:1—8:35).

  8:30, 31 Thanks is offered to God for giving victory. The altar, in obedience to the instruction of Ex. 20:24–26, was built of uncut stones, thus keeping worship simple and untainted by man’s showmanship. Joshua gave God’s Word a detailed and central place.

  Josh. 8:35

  The Central and Southern Campaigns

  The first ten chapters of Joshua describe the invasion of the Land of Promise and the conquest of its central and southern regions.

  Joshua 9

  9:3 inhabitants. Gibeon of the Hivites (v. 7), or Horites (cf. Gen. 36:2, 20), was NW of Jerusalem and about 7 mi. from the area of Ai. It was a strong city with capable fighting men (10:2). Three other towns were in league with it (9:17).

  9:4–15 The Gibeonite plot to trick Israel worked. Israel’s sinful failure occurred because they were not vigilant in prayer to assure that they acted by God’s counsel (v. 14; cf. Prov. 3:5, 6).

  9:15 Israel precipitously made peace with the Gibeonites (11:19) who lived nearby, even though God had instructed them to eliminate the people of cities in the Land (Deut. 7:1, 2). God permitted peace with cities outside (Deut. 20:11–15).

  9:21–23 While honoring the pledge of peace with the Gibeonites (v. 19), Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers because of the deception. This curse extended the perpetual (v. 23) part of “cursed be Canaan” (Gen. 9:26). Gibeon became a part of Benjamin’s land area (Josh. 18:25). Later, Joshua consigned Gibeon as one of the Levite towns (21:17). Nehemi
ah had help from some Gibeonites in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:7).

  Joshua 10

  10:1–11 Gibeon and 3 other towns (9:17) were attacked by a coalition of 5 cities. Israel came to the rescue, with God giving the victory (v. 10).

  10:11 The hailstones were miraculous. Note their: 1) source, God; 2) size, large; 3) slaughter, more by stones than by sword; 4) selectivity, only on the enemy; 5) swath, “as far as Azekah”; 6) situation, during a trek down a slope and while God caused the sun to stand still; and 7) similarity to miraculous stones God will fling down during the future wrath (Rev. 16:21).

  10:12–14 sun stood still, and the moon stopped. Some say an eclipse hid the sun, keeping its heat from Joshua’s worn soldiers and allowing coolness for battle. Others suppose a local (not universal) refraction of the sun’s rays such as the local darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21–23). Another view has it as only language of observation; i.e., it only seemed to Joshua’s men that the sun and moon stopped as God helped them do in one literal 24-hour day what would normally take longer. Others view it as lavish poetic description, not literal fact. However, such ideas fail to do justice to 10:12–14, and needlessly question God’s power as Creator. This is best accepted as an outright, monumental miracle. Joshua, moved by the Lord’s will, commanded the sun to delay (Heb., “be still, silent, leave off”). The earth actually stopped revolving or, more likely, the sun moved in the same way to keep perfect pace with the battlefield. The moon also ceased its orbiting. This permitted Joshua’s troops time to finish the battle with complete victory (v. 11).

  10:13–15 Book of Jasher. Jasher means “upright.” It may be the same as the book called Wars of the Lord (Num. 21:14). The Book of Jasher is mentioned again in 2 Sam. 1:18 and a portion is recorded in 1:19–27. The book appears to have been a compilation of Hebrew songs in honor of Israel’s leaders and exploits in battle.