Joshua 1:17

17 Just as we obeyed Moses, so will we obey you. Only may Yahweh your God 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 Yahweh gives rest to your families as well as to you. They will take possession of the land that Yahweh your God [is] giving to them. Then you will return to your own land and take possession of it, [the land] that Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan {to the east}."

16 And they answered Joshua, saying, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you will send us we will go.

17 Just as we obeyed Moses, so will we obey you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.

18 Whoever {rebels against your orders} and does not obey your words according to what you commanded us will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."