Joshua 23:5

Joshua 23:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

King James Version KJV

And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

American Standard Version ASV

And Jehovah your God, he will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as Jehovah your God spake unto you.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The Lord your God will send them away by force, driving them out before you; and you are to take their land for your heritage, as the Lord your God said to you.

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord your God will make them retreat from you. He will drive them out before you and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the Lord your God shall expell them before you, and cast them out of your sight, and ye shall possesse their land, as the Lord your God hath said vnto you.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'As to Jehovah your God, He doth thrust them from your presence, and hath dispossessed them from before you, and ye have possessed their land, as Jehovah your God hath spoken to you,

World English Bible WEB

The LORD your God will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight. You shall possess their land, as the LORD your God spoke to you.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised to you.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The Lord your God will destroy them, and take them away from before your face, and you shall possess the land as he hath promised you.

Translation for Translators T4T

Yahweh our God will compel the people who are still living there to leave. He will push them out as you advance. Then the land will be yours, as Yahweh has promised you.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 23:5

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 23:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵי/כֶ֗ם ה֚וּא יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣/ם מִ/פְּנֵי/כֶ֔ם וְ/הוֹרִ֥ישׁ אֹתָ֖/ם מִ/לִּ/פְנֵי/כֶ֑ם וִֽ/ירִשְׁתֶּם֙ אֶת אַרְצָ֔/ם כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵי/כֶ֖ם לָ/כֶֽם

וַ/יהוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord Conj | N-proper

אֱלֹֽהֵי/כֶ֗ם ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff

ה֚וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣/ם Hâdaph H1920 to thrust V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff

מִ/פְּנֵי/כֶ֔ם pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

וְ/הוֹרִ֥ישׁ yârash H3423 to possess Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms

אֹתָ֖/ם ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

מִ/לִּ/פְנֵי/כֶ֑ם pânîym H6440 face Prep | Prep | N-cp | Suff

וִֽ/ירִשְׁתֶּם֙ yârash H3423 to possess Conj | V-Qal-2mp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

אַרְצָ֔/ם ʼerets H776 land N-cs | Suff

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel

דִּבֶּ֛ר dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Perf-3ms

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אֱלֹהֵי/כֶ֖ם ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff

לָ/כֶֽם Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 23:5

וַ/יהוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" Conj | N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֱלֹֽהֵי/כֶ֗ם ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

ה֚וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣/ם Hâdaph H1920 "to thrust" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff

To thrust means to push away or down, as seen in the Bible when driving out or expelling someone, like in the book of Leviticus.

Definition: 1) to thrust, push, drive, cast away, cast out, expel, thrust away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to thrust, push 1a2) to drive out, thrust out 1a3) to depose

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: cast away (out), drive, expel, thrust (away). See also: Numbers 35:20; 2 Kings 4:27; Proverbs 10:3.

מִ/פְּנֵי/כֶ֔ם pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

וְ/הוֹרִ֥ישׁ yârash H3423 "to possess" Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms

To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.

Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit

Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.

אֹתָ֖/ם ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

מִ/לִּ/פְנֵי/כֶ֑ם pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

וִֽ/ירִשְׁתֶּם֙ yârash H3423 "to possess" Conj | V-Qal-2mp

To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

אַרְצָ֔/ם ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs | Suff

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

דִּבֶּ֛ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Perf-3ms

To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.

Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֱלֹהֵי/כֶ֖ם ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

לָ/כֶֽם "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Joshua 23:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Joshua 23:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 23:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 23:5
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 23:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 23:5
Sermons on Joshua 23:5

Context — Joshua’s Charge to Leaders

3“and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you. 4See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea.

5The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

6Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left. 7So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 11:23	then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and stronger than you.
2	Joshua 13:6	All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you.
3	Exodus 33:2	And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
4	Exodus 34:11	Observe what I command you this day. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
5	Numbers 33:52–53	you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places. You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.
6	Exodus 23:30–31	Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land. And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.
7	Joshua 23:12–13	For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

Joshua 23:5 Summary

Joshua 23:5 is a promise from God to the Israelites that He will drive out the nations before them, so they can take possession of the land He promised them. This verse reminds us that God is powerful and faithful to fulfill His promises, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:3. Just like the Israelites, we can trust in God's power to overcome the challenges in our lives, and remember that He is always with us (Joshua 1:9). By trusting in God's faithfulness and obeying His commands, we can experience His power and presence in our lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to 'push them out of your way' in Joshua 23:5?

This phrase indicates God's power and intervention in driving out the nations before the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:3, where God promises to destroy the nations before them.

How can we trust that God will fulfill His promises like He did for the Israelites?

We can trust in God's faithfulness, as seen in Joshua 23:5 and throughout Scripture, such as in Hebrews 10:23, where it says 'Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.'

What role do the Israelites play in taking possession of the land?

The Israelites are called to be strong and obey God's commands, as seen in Joshua 23:6, and to trust in God's power to drive out the nations before them, as promised in Joshua 23:5.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of the Bible?

This verse is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant with the Israelites, as seen in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 6:4, where God promises to give them the land of Canaan as an inheritance.

Reflection Questions

What are the promises of God that I am waiting to see fulfilled in my life, and how can I trust in His faithfulness to bring them to pass?
In what ways am I being called to be strong and obey God's commands, like the Israelites in Joshua 23:6?
How can I apply the principle of trusting in God's power to drive out the 'nations' in my life, whether that be sin, fear, or doubt?
What are the 'nations' in my life that I need to trust God to drive out, and how can I surrender them to Him?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 23:5

And the Lord your God he shall expel them from before you,.... That is, such of them as yet remained among them: and drive them from out of your sight; the same thing expressed by different words,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 23:5

And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 23:5

Joshua 23:5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.Ver. 5. And drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess.] The same Hebrew word Jarash here signifieth to possess and to dispossess. Canaanites shall be cast out of what they get or detain from God’ s people.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 23:5

Verse 5. And drive them - out - and ye shall possess] The same Hebrew word ירש yarash is used here to signify to expel from an inheritance, and to succeed those thus expelled. Ye shall disinherit them from your sight, and ye shall inherit their land.

Sermons on Joshua 23:5

	Sermon	Description
	The Cross of Christ - Part 1 by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the motivation found in the cross of Jesus Christ. He explains that this motivation is not based on guilt or slavery, but on the knowledge o
	Drive It Out - Obedience Brings Life by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman passionately delivers a message titled 'Drive It Out - Obedience Brings Life,' emphasizing that true obedience to God stems from love and loyalty, not legalism. He hi
	(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas
	Caleb by Welcome Detweiler	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the example of Caleb from the Bible who is commended for his wholehearted devotion to God. The speaker challenges the audience to examine the
	Exodus 23:30 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes that God has promised victory to Christians, intending for them to experience an abundant life filled with joy, peace, and blessings. However, many believers
	Careless Choices by John Gifford Bellett	John Gifford Bellett preaches on the importance of obedience in marriage as a test of the state of the nation, tracing the decline from Abraham's faithful example to Judah's comple