Joshua 3:10 - Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite out from before you.

Generated Verse: Joshua 3:10

What does "Joshua 3:10" mean?


This verse, Joshua 3:10, is a pivotal moment in the Book of Joshua, signifying a divine pledge and a test of faith. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"Joshua said...": This sets the context. Joshua, as the successor to Moses and leader of the Israelites, is speaking with authority and acting as a mediator between God and the people.

"By this you shall know that the living God is among you...": This is the core of the message. Joshua is telling the Israelites that the impending miracle of crossing the Jordan River will be undeniable proof of God's presence and power among them. The word "living" emphasizes that this God is active, engaged, and not a mere idol.

"...and that he will without fail drive the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite out from before you.": This is the promise and the condition for the promise.
"Without fail": This emphasizes the certainty of God's commitment. It's a guarantee that He will fulfill His part of the covenant.
The List of "ites": These are the names of the various Canaanite tribes that occupied the Promised Land. Listing them highlights the scope of the challenge the Israelites faced, and therefore, the magnitude of the divine power that would be needed to overcome them. It also emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's promise: all these obstacles will be removed.
"Drive...out from before you": This phrase signifies that God will be the one ultimately responsible for their victory. The Israelites would still have to fight, but the victory would be attributed to God's intervention. It also suggests a process, not an instantaneous event, where these tribes would be gradually pushed out.

In essence, this verse is:

A test of faith: The Israelites are being asked to believe that God will do what He has promised.
A sign of God's presence: The upcoming crossing of the Jordan River is the visible demonstration of God's power.
A promise of victory: God guarantees that He will help them conquer the Promised Land.
A challenge to action: While God promises to drive out the enemy, the Israelites are still expected to actively participate in the conquest.

The verse is significant because it lays the foundation for the rest of the Book of Joshua. It shows that the conquest of Canaan is not just a military campaign, but a divine undertaking in which God is the ultimate victor.