Joshua 1:17

17 We obeyed Moses to the letter; we'll also obey you - we just pray that God, your God, will be with you as he was with Moses.

Joshua 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 1:17

According as we have hearkened unto Moses in all things, so
will we hearken unto thee
Not right or wrong, but in all things that were according to the laws and will of God made known to them; and particularly it may refer to the above affair, which was settled between Moses and them, to whom they then hearkened, and now promise to confirm the same, and hearken to whatsoever orders and instructions Joshua should give them relative to it, according to the plan agreed upon:

only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses;
which is not mentioned as a condition of their obedience to him, but rather as a reason of it, and as an encouraging motive to it; for, according to Kimchi, the true sense and meaning is,

``for the Lord thy God will be with thee, as he was with Moses;''

so Noldius renders it,

``seeing the Lord thy God is with thee.''

Joshua 1:17 In-Context

15 until God, your God, gives your brothers a place of rest just as he has done for you. They also will take possession of the land that God, your God, is giving them. Then you will be free to return to your possession, given to you by Moses the servant of God, across the Jordan to the east."

16 They answered Joshua: "Everything you commanded us, we'll do. Wherever you send us, we'll go.

17 We obeyed Moses to the letter; we'll also obey you - we just pray that God, your God, will be with you as he was with Moses.

18 Anyone who questions what you say and refuses to obey whatever you command him will be put to death. Strength! Courage!"^