Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Joshua, Chapter 23יהושע 23

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Joshua's farewell turns on one claim: YHWH alone fought Israel's battles (vv.3, 10), so covenant fidelity decides what follows, not strength. He charges Torah obedience, love for YHWH, and refusal of the remaining nations' gods, warning that the faithfulness fulfilling every good word (v.14) equally guarantees every evil word.

Translation & textual notes

The chapter's Hebrew text, per the Leningrad Codex as represented in OSHB, is well preserved with no major textual crises requiring emendation. The Old Greek (LXX) tracks the MT closely here, in contrast to other Joshua chapters (e.g., the town lists of chs. 15, 19, 21) where LXX preserves a notably shorter Hebrew Vorlage; ch. 23's divergences are stylistic rather than substantive. Verse 13's catalog פַּח, מוֹקֵשׁ, שׁוֹטֵט, צְנִינִים echoes but does not exactly reproduce Num 33:55's לְשִׂכִּים...וְלִצְנִינִם; LXX renders the rare שׁוֹטֵט with a term for 'scourge/whip', supporting MT's reading rather than any assumed corruption. The comitative אֵת/אֶת 'with' (H854, vv.7, 12) is orthographically identical to the object-marker אֵת/אֶת (H853, frequent throughout) but a distinct lexeme, a lexical rather than text-critical issue. Scholars debate whether ch. 23 (Deuteronomistic farewell, covenant-conditional, no cultic ceremony) and ch. 24 (covenant renewal at Shechem, communal oath) are variant traditions of one event or sequential scenes; MT presents them consecutively without harmonization, and no manuscript evidence marks either as secondary. Versification follows MT throughout, matching LXX without discrepancy.

1

וַֽיְהִי֙ מִיָּמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים אַ֠חֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר הֵנִ֨יחַ יְהוָ֧ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִכָּל אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם מִסָּבִ֑יב וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִֽים

And it came about, many days after YHWH had given rest to Israel from all their enemies around, that Joshua was old, advanced in days.

Temporal settingasyndeton
Asyndetic wayyiqtol opens a new narrative unit. The verse deliberately echoes 13:1 (same וַיְהִי...זָקֵן בָּא בַיָּמִים formula), marking ch. 23 as the delayed continuation of that earlier notice: the rest promised then has now been fully secured, and Joshua's age has caught up with it. The scene shifts from Israel's corporate rest to Joshua's personal mortality, setting up the farewell that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַֽיְהִי֙and it happenedwayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (formulaic opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, the standard 'and it came about' launching a new unitהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the formula וַיְהִי מִיָּמִים רַבִּים אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר... duplicates 13:1 almost verbatim, framing ch. 23 as the fulfillment/counterpart of that earlier notice — old age has now overtaken the rest that was announced then.
מִיָּמִ֣יםfrom daysprep מִן + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (interval elapsed)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural with רַבִּים 'many' forms the idiom 'a long time', matching the vague-duration marker at 13:1.
רַבִּ֔יםmanyAdj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective (modifying יָמִים)רַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; the long interval since the land-rest notices of chs. 13 and 21.
אַ֠חֲרֵיafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal preposition governing the relative clauseאַחַר/אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; introduces the temporal clause specifying what the many days followed.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle completing אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר 'after that'אֲשֶׁר (H834), Hebrew's invariable relative; אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר functions as a compound temporal conjunction 'after'.
הֵנִ֨יחַhad given restHiphil perf 3ms · נוּחַ (H5117)Predicate verb of subordinate temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed act antecedent to the main narration — the rest already securedנוּחַ (H5117) 'to rest'; Hiphil 'to give rest' — YHWH as subject, causative of the peace Israel now enjoys, the fulfillment of 1:13; 21:44; 22:4.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הֵנִיחַיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the one who gives the rest being described.
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לto Israelprep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Indirect object of הֵנִיחַיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the recipient nation of the rest YHWH has given.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, source (from whom rest was given)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with אֹיְבֵיהֶם, 'from all their enemies'.
אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖םtheir enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + suf 3mp · אֹיֵב (H341)Substantival participle, object of מִכָּל (genitive of source)→ Participle used substantivally: 'those hostile [to them]' — a standing class, not a single completed actאֹיֵב (H341), Qal participle of איב 'to be hostile'; lexicalized as the noun 'enemy'. With 3mp suffix, 'their enemies' — the surrounding nations.
מִסָּבִ֑יבaroundprep מִן + N comm sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Prepositional phrase, adverbial (spatial)סָבִיב (H5439) 'round about, surrounding'; מִסָּבִיב 'from round about' — rest from every enemy on all sides.
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַand Joshuaconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of the following noun clauses (disjunctive, new topic)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; the disjunctive וְ shifts from Israel's rest to Joshua's own aging — the pivot to the farewell scene.
זָקֵ֔ןwas oldQal perf 3ms · זָקֵן (H2204)Predicate verb (stative, main clause)→ Perfective/stative: a settled condition — Joshua has come to be oldזָקֵן (H2204) 'to be old'; stative verb describing Joshua's condition, paired with the participle בָּא בַּיָּמִים for emphasis — the same double expression used of Abraham (Gen 24:1) and later of Joshua again in 13:1.
בָּ֖אwas comeQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, second half of hendiadys with זָקֵן→ Perfective: completed advance — literally 'come into the days', i.e. advanced in yearsבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; idiomatically בָּא בַּיָּמִים 'advanced/entered into days' = elderly, the exact phrase of 13:1, closing the inclusio the chapter opens.
בַּיָּמִֽיםin daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Prepositional phrase completing the idiom בָּא בַּיָּמִיםיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the idiom 'advanced in days' = elderly, verbally identical to 13:1, marking this chapter as the resumption and completion of that earlier scene.
2

וַיִּקְרָ֤א יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ לְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִזְקֵנָיו֙ וּלְרָאשָׁ֔יו וּלְשֹׁפְטָ֖יו וּלְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אֲנִ֣י זָקַ֔נְתִּי בָּ֖אתִי בַּיָּמִֽים

And Joshua called for all Israel, for its elders and its heads and its judges and its officers, and said to them, 'I have grown old, advanced in days.'

Narrative sequence / scene-settingasyndeton
The wayyiqtol chain (called...said) stages the formal assembly before the speech proper. The fourfold leadership list (elders, heads, judges, officers) is the standard covenant-representative formula (cf. Deut 29:9; 31:28), signaling this is a covenant-renewal-style address, not merely private advice. Joshua's opening self-description in his own voice repeats v.1's narratorial notice verbatim, grounding his authority to speak in his own long experience.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּקְרָ֤אand he calledwayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Joshua's decisive summoning actקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon, proclaim'; Joshua convenes the nation formally, paralleling Moses' own farewell summons (Deut 31:1-2).
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙Joshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091), the subject resuming from v.1's introduction of his old age.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Indirect object of וַיִּקְרָא, construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; 'all Israel' — the totality of the nation, unpacked in the next four terms as its representative leadership.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the whole covenant nation, here summoned corporately through its leadership.
לִזְקֵנָיו֙to its eldersprep לְ + Adj m pl constr + suf 3ms · זָקֵן (H2205)Indirect object, first of four appositional officesזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantized as the office of tribal/clan elder — the first of the fourfold leadership Joshua summons (elders, heads, judges, officers), matching Deut 29:9; 31:28.
וּלְרָאשָׁ֔יוand to its headsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 3ms · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Indirect object, second officeרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; tribal/clan chiefs, the second office in the summons list.
וּלְשֹׁפְטָ֖יוand to its judgesconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal ptc m pl constr + suf 3ms · שָׁפַט (H8199)Substantival participle, indirect object, third office→ Participle used substantivally: 'those who judge', a standing office rather than a single actשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; Qal participle lexicalized as the office of judge, the third of the four summoned classes.
וּלְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יוand to its officersconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal ptc m pl constr + suf 3ms · שֹׁטֵר (H7860)Substantival participle, indirect object, fourth office→ Participle used substantivally: an administrative office, not a single actשֹׁטֵר (H7860) 'officer, official' (from a root meaning 'to write/record'); the fourth office, completing the standard fourfold leadership formula.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introduces direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, the speech-introduction formulaאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Joshua's farewell address, which runs through v.16.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + suf 3mp · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressees of Joshua's speech, the assembled leadership.
אֲנִ֣יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject (fronted before the verb)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'; fronted for emphasis before the finite verb — Joshua speaks personally of his own condition.
זָקַ֔נְתִּיhave grown oldQal perf 1cs · זָקֵן (H2204)Predicate verb (main clause, first person testimony)→ Perfective/stative: a settled present condition — 'I am old'זָקֵן (H2204) 'to be old'; Joshua's own first-person acknowledgment, echoing the narrator's third-person notice in v.1.
בָּ֖אתִיam comeQal perf 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, second half of hendiadys with זָקַנְתִּי→ Perfective: completed advance — 'I have come into days'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; idiomatic בָּאתִי בַּיָּמִים, repeating v.1's narratorial description now in Joshua's own voice.
בַּיָּמִֽיםin daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Prepositional phrase completing the idiom בָּאתִי בַיָּמִיםיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; closes the idiom = 'I am elderly', Joshua's self-introduction before the charge proper begins.
3

וְאַתֶּ֣ם רְאִיתֶ֗ם אֵת֩ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם לְכָל הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם ה֖וּא הַנִּלְחָ֥ם לָכֶֽם

And you have seen all that YHWH your God did to all these nations for your sake, for YHWH your God — he is the one who fights for you.

Grounds / evidentiary basis for the exhortationasyndeton
The fronted אַתֶּם pivots from Joshua's self-testimony to the audience's own eyewitness experience. The כִּי clause states the chapter's theological thesis in a single emphatic identification construction (הוּא הַנִּלְחָם לָכֶם): every victory Israel has seen was YHWH's own fighting, not theirs. This exact clause recurs verbatim in v.10, forming an inclusio around vv.3-10 that frames the entire conquest as divine warfare on Israel's behalf.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאַתֶּ֣םand youconj וְ + independent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphatic subject (fronted before the verb)אַתֶּם (H859) 'you (mp)'; fronted for emphasis, shifting from Joshua's self-testimony to the audience's own experience: 'and as for you...'.
רְאִיתֶ֗םhave seenQal perf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of witnessing, the experiential basis for what followsרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the audience are eyewitnesses, not merely hearers — their own experience of conquest grounds Joshua's exhortation.
אֵת֩[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה; untranslated in English.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain), governing the relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all that YHWH your God did' — comprehensive summary of the conquest just witnessed.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying כָּלאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause specifying the content of 'all' — everything YHWH did.
עָשָׂ֜הdidQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: completed decisive acts — the totality of what YHWH has already accomplishedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; YHWH as sole subject of the entire conquest — the theological point sharpened by v.3b's naming of the true combatant.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוָה (H3068); explicit subject naming the true agent behind Israel's conquests.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'YHWH your God' — the covenant formula repeated relentlessly through this chapter (over a dozen times), pressing the personal, covenantal claim on the hearers.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, adversative object of עָשָׂה ('to/against all these nations')כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הַגּוֹיִם, marking the totality of the defeated nations.
הַגּוֹיִ֥םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of כָּלגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; the Canaanite peoples dispossessed before Israel.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַגּוֹיִם)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the specific nations of the land, visible to the hearers.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑םfor your sakeprep מִן + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, cause/benefit (מִפְּנֵי idiom)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפְּנֵיכֶם here means 'because of you / for your sake' — YHWH acted on Israel's behalf, not by their own strength.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the theological ground clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason behind the victories just described — the theology of v.3b.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clause (resumed by הוּא)יְהוָה (H3068); the subject of the emphatic identification clause 'YHWH your God, HE is the one who fights for you'.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); repeats the covenant formula, reinforcing personal relationship before the climactic identification.
ה֖וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive/emphatic pronoun (casus pendens construction: 'YHWH your God — HE...')הוּא (H1931) 'he'; the resumptive pronoun of a Hebrew identification/cleft construction, throwing maximal emphasis onto YHWH as the sole combatant — precisely the theology anchoring the whole conquest narrative.
הַנִּלְחָ֥םthe one fightingart + Niphal ptc m sg abs · לָחַם (H3898)Substantival participle, predicate of the identification clause (הוּא הַנִּלְחָם)→ Niphal participle: a durative, characterizing role — not one victory but YHWH's standing office as Israel's warriorלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal participle with article, 'the one who fights' — functions as a virtual title. This exact phrase (הוּא הַנִּלְחָם לָכֶם) recurs verbatim at v.10, framing the whole speech: every conquest Israel witnessed was, in truth, YHWH's own battle fought on their behalf, not their own military achievement.
לָכֶֽםfor youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְ (no separate Strong's)Prepositional phrase, benefactive complement of הַנִּלְחָםלְ 'for, on behalf of'; marks Israel as the beneficiary of YHWH's fighting — he fights not merely near them but for their sake.
4

רְאוּ֩ הִפַּ֨לְתִּי לָכֶ֜ם אֶֽת הַ֠גּוֹיִם הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֛לֶּה בְּנַחֲלָ֖ה לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑ם מִן הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן וְכָל הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִכְרַ֔תִּי וְהַיָּ֥ם הַגָּד֖וֹל מְב֥וֹא הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ

See, I have allotted to you by lot these remaining nations as an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, along with all the nations I have cut off, to the Great Sea at the sunset.

Elaboration (specifies the object of v.3's seeing)asyndeton
The imperative רְאוּ pivots from past testimony to present demonstration. Joshua distinguishes two classes of nations sharing one territorial description: those already cut off, and those remaining but already allotted by lot — the yet-unconquered pockets that will drive the warning of vv.12-13. The Jordan-to-Mediterranean span states the land's full covenanted extent regardless of present occupation status.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
רְאוּ֩seeQal impv 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, imperative (main clause)→ Volitional: an imperative call to recognize/attend to what followsרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; imperative shifting from recollection (v.3) to a fresh act of attention — 'look' at what Joshua is about to show them regarding the land.
הִפַּ֨לְתִּיI have made fallHiphil perf 1cs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the allotment already accomplishedנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; Hiphil 'to cause to fall' = to allot by lot (casting lots was thought of as controlled falling); Joshua recalls his own act of land distribution (chs. 13-21).
לָכֶ֜םto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of הִפַּלְתִּילְ 'to, for'; marks the tribes as recipients of the allotted territory.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking הַגּוֹיִם הַנִּשְׁאָרִים as the definite direct object of הִפַּלְתִּי.
הַ֠גּוֹיִםthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct objectגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the peoples whose land has been allotted, both conquered and yet-remaining (v.4b).
הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥יםthe remainingart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · שָׁאַר (H7604)Substantival participle in attributive apposition to הַגּוֹיִם→ Niphal participle: a standing, unresolved condition — nations left over, not yet dispossessedשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain, be left'; Niphal participle 'the remaining ones' — the still-unconquered pockets that will become the chapter's central danger (vv.7,12,13).
הָאֵ֛לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the particular remaining nations Joshua has in view.
בְּנַחֲלָ֖הas an inheritanceprep בְּ + N f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/resultנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the tribal territories fall to Israel as permanent inherited property, not mere conquest.
לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑םfor your tribesprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 2mp · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Indirect object, beneficiary of the allotmentשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, rod'; specifies the recipients — Israel organized by tribe, as in the allotment narrative of chs. 13-21.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase marking spatial extent (from...to)מִן (H4480) 'from'; opens the geographic span of the land, Jordan to the Great Sea.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Object of prepositional phrase (source boundary)יַרְדֵּן (H3383) 'the Jordan', the eastern boundary marker of the land's span described here.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate direct object (resuming הִפַּלְתִּי... הִכְרַתִּי)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces the second category — nations already cut off, as opposed to those merely allotted.
הַגּוֹיִם֙the nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of כָּלגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the second class of nations, those YHWH (through Joshua) has already cut off.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַגּוֹיִםאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause specifying which nations were cut off.
הִכְרַ֔תִּיI have cut offHiphil perf 1cs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of destructionכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; Hiphil 'to cut off, destroy' — Joshua speaks as the human instrument, though v.3 has already credited YHWH as the true actor behind every such act.
וְהַיָּ֥םand the seaconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Coordinate object continuing the geographic descriptionיָם (H3220) 'sea'; here the Mediterranean, the western boundary counterpart to the Jordan.
הַגָּד֖וֹלthe greatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective (modifying הַיָּם)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; 'the Great Sea', the standard OT designation for the Mediterranean.
מְב֥וֹאthe going down ofN m sg constr · מָבוֹא (H3996)Construct chain (genitival), 'at the entrance/going down of the sun'מָבוֹא (H3996) 'entrance, going down' (from בּוֹא); construct with הַשָּׁמֶשׁ, the idiom for 'westward, sunset'.
הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁthe sunart + N comm sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Genitive complement of מְבוֹאשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; completes the idiom for the western horizon, marking the full extent of the promised land from Jordan to the Mediterranean.
5

וַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם ה֚וּא יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣ם מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וְהוֹרִ֥ישׁ אֹתָ֖ם מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתֶּם֙ אֶת אַרְצָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם לָכֶֽם

And YHWH your God — he will thrust them out from before you and dispossess them from before you, and you shall possess their land, just as YHWH your God spoke to you.

Promise (grounded in prior divine speech)asyndeton
A second emphatic הוּא-clause, now cast as future promise rather than past testimony: what YHWH has already done (v.3) he will keep doing until the remaining nations are gone. The doubled verbs (thrust out, dispossess) and doubled מִפְּנֵיכֶם phrases pile up assurance, and the closing כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר anchors the promise in YHWH's own prior word rather than in Israel's future performance.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיהוָ֣הand YHWHconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the identification clause (resumed by הוּא)יְהוָה (H3068); begins another emphatic YHWH-focused clause, structurally parallel to v.3's.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula continues, tying the coming promise to the personal relationship.
ה֚וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive/emphatic pronoun (casus pendens: 'YHWH your God — HE...')הוּא (H1931); emphatic resumption, echoing v.3's construction, now applied to the future dispossession of remaining nations.
יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣םhe will thrust them outQal impf 3ms + suf 3mp · הָדַף (H1920)Predicate verb, main clause (future promise)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/future — a promised, not-yet-completed actהָדַף (H1920) 'to push, thrust, drive out'; a rare verb (only here and a few other places) for forceful expulsion — YHWH himself will finish what remains undone.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔םfrom before youprep מִן + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, spatial (source)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפְּנֵיכֶם 'from before you' — the nations driven out of Israel's path.
וְהוֹרִ֥ישׁand he will dispossessconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb, coordinate with יֶהְדֳּפֵם (weqatal continuing the future)→ Weqatal: continues the imperfective/future promise begun by the preceding yiqtolיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out' — the double verb (thrust out + dispossess) intensifies the certainty of complete removal.
אֹתָ֖ם[obj] themobj marker + suf 3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object of וְהוֹרִישׁ)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, marking 'the remaining nations' as the object of dispossession.
מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑םfrom before youprep מִן + prep לְ + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, spatial (source), reinforcing מִפְּנֵיכֶם aboveפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the compound preposition מִלִּפְנֵיכֶם intensifies the same idea — driven entirely out of Israel's presence.
וִֽירִשְׁתֶּם֙and you shall possessconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb, apodosis-like continuation (result of YHWH's action)→ Weqatal: continues the future sequence — Israel's possession follows as consequence of YHWH's dispossessingיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; Qal here (contrast the Hiphil above) — Israel's side of the same verb: they will possess what YHWH clears.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking אַרְצָם as the definite direct object of וִירִשְׁתֶּם.
אַרְצָ֔םtheir landN comm sg constr + suf 3mp · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'their land' — the territory of the remaining nations, promised to Israel.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the confirming clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; ties the promise to YHWH's prior word — its fulfillment is guaranteed because it was already spoken.
דִּבֶּ֛רspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speaking, the antecedent promise now being reaffirmedדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, the standard verb for authoritative divine speech — grounds the promise in YHWH's own prior word (cf. Deut 7; 9:3).
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); the speaker whose earlier word is now being fulfilled.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); rounds off the fourth יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם of the chapter, sustaining the covenant-address register.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of דִּבֶּרלְ 'to'; marks Israel as the recipient of the promise now being reaffirmed as certain.
6

וַחֲזַקְתֶּ֣ם מְאֹ֔ד לִשְׁמֹ֣ר וְלַעֲשׂ֔וֹת אֵ֚ת כָּל הַכָּת֔וּב בְּסֵ֖פֶר תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֑ה לְבִלְתִּ֥י סוּר מִמֶּ֖נּוּ יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאול

So be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so as not to turn aside from it, right or left,

Charge / command (the chapter's central imperative)asyndeton
The imperatival weqatal וַחֲזַקְתֶּם opens the chapter's central charge, directly quoting Joshua's own commissioning language from 1:7 (חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ מְאֹד, לְבִלְתִּי סוּר מִמֶּנּוּ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול). What was once said to Joshua alone is now handed on verbatim to the whole nation — the book's opening charge closes an inclusio around its ending. Fidelity is anchored not in charisma or memory but in a fixed written text, 'the book of the law of Moses'.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַחֲזַקְתֶּ֣םand be strongconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · חָזַק (H2388)Predicate verb, imperatival weqatal opening the charge (main command)→ Volitional (weqatal with imperatival force): a resolute call to courage — opens the chapter's central chargeחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong'; the very verb of Joshua's own commissioning (1:6-7, 9, 18), now handed on to the nation — an inclusio closing the book's opening charge onto its ending.
מְאֹ֔דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier of וַחֲזַקְתֶּםמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the command, matching the intensity of 1:7's חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ מְאֹד.
לִשְׁמֹ֣רto keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Infinitive of purpose/epexegesis, specifying the content of strength required→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — defines what being 'very strong' concretely meansשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, observe'; the first of the paired infinitives (keep and do), the standard verb for covenant fidelity.
וְלַעֲשׂ֔וֹתand to doconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive of purpose, coordinate with לִשְׁמֹר→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — the practical enactment paired with mere observanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; paired with שָׁמַר, the standard Deuteronomic hendiadys 'keep and do' (cf. Deut 5:1; 6:3), moving from disposition to action.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking כָּל הַכָּתוּב as the definite object of the paired infinitives.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; comprehensive scope — nothing in the written Torah is optional.
הַכָּת֔וּבthe writtenart + Qal passive ptc m sg abs · כָּתַב (H3789)Substantival passive participle, genitive complement of כָּל→ Passive participle: a fixed, completed state — what stands written, permanently bindingכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; Qal passive participle 'the written [thing]' — appeals to a FIXED TEXT (the book of the law of Moses), not oral tradition, as the binding standard, echoing 1:8's identical charge to Joshua himself.
בְּסֵ֖פֶרin the book ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · סֵפֶר (H5612)Prepositional phrase locating the written materialסֵפֶר (H5612) 'book, scroll, document'; the physical, written Torah scroll — cf. 1:8's סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה, closing the book's opening/closing inclusio.
תּוֹרַ֣תthe law ofN f sg constr · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Construct chain (genitival), 'book of the Torah of Moses'תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; the Mosaic Torah, the binding covenant document underlying all of Joshua's charge.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of תּוֹרַתמֹשֶׁה (H4872); names the source of the binding Torah, tying Joshua's charge back to Sinai/Moab and forward through the whole conquest narrative.
לְבִלְתִּ֥יso as notprep לְ + conj · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose particle governing the infinitive סוּרבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, except'; לְבִלְתִּי + infinitive is the standard negative-purpose construction, 'so as not to turn aside'.
סוּרto turn asideQal inf constr · סוּר (H5493)Infinitive complement of לְבִלְתִּי→ Infinitive construct: the prohibited action, negated by the preceding particleסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; echoes 1:7's identical warning against turning from the Torah right or left — direct verbal quotation of Joshua's own commissioning charge.
מִמֶּ֖נּוּfrom itprep מִן + suf 3ms (identical spelling to 1cp) · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, source, referring back to הַכָּתוּב/הַסֵּפֶרמִן (H4480) 'from'; מִמֶּנּוּ here refers back to the written Torah just named (masc. referent), not to the speakers — 'turn aside from it [the book]', matching 1:7's מִמֶּנּוּ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול exactly.
יָמִ֥יןrightN f sg abs · יָמִין (H3225)Adverbial accusative (direction)יָמִין (H3225) 'right hand/side'; paired with שְׂמֹאול as a merism for 'in any direction whatsoever' — total, undeviating fidelity.
וּשְׂמֹֽאולor leftconj וְ + N m sg abs · שְׂמֹאול (H8040)Adverbial accusative (direction), coordinate with יָמִיןשְׂמֹאול (H8040) 'left hand/side'; completes the merism, directly quoting Deut 5:32; 17:11, 20; and Josh 1:7 — total covenantal fidelity with no deviation.
7

לְבִלְתִּי בוֹא֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אִתְּכֶ֑ם וּבְשֵׁ֨ם אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֤ם לֹא תַזְכִּ֨ירוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א תַשְׁבִּ֔יעוּ וְלֹ֣א תַעַבְד֔וּם וְלֹ֥א תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לָהֶֽם

so as not to come among these nations, these remaining ones with you, and you shall not invoke the name of their gods nor swear by them, nor serve them nor bow down to them,

Continuation of the charge (specific prohibition)asyndeton
Continues v.6's infinitive chain, then shifts to four parallel negated yiqtols (invoke, swear, serve, bow) escalating from speech to oath to service to physical worship — a comprehensive ban on any acknowledgment of the remaining nations' gods. This prohibition directly anticipates the danger named explicitly in vv.12-13, 16: not military threat but religious entanglement is what could undo the conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
לְבִלְתִּיso as notprep לְ + conj · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose particle governing the infinitive בוֹאבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not'; continues the negative-purpose construction from v.6, now applied to a new prohibition — not coming among the remaining nations.
בוֹא֙to comeQal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive complement of לְבִלְתִּי→ Infinitive construct: the prohibited action — social/religious mingling with the remaining nationsבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here 'to associate with, mingle among' — the prohibition against entangling alliance or intermarriage that vv.12-13 will expand.
בַּגּוֹיִ֣םamong the nationsprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Prepositional phrase, complement of בוֹאגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the peoples not yet dispossessed, whose ongoing presence is the chapter's central danger.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַגּוֹיִם)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the particular nations in view — the remaining ones just described.
הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥יםthe remainingart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · שָׁאַר (H7604)Substantival participle in attributive apposition to הַגּוֹיִם→ Niphal participle: a standing, unresolved condition — nations left overשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain'; repeats v.4's designation, reinforcing that these nations, though allotted, are still physically present among Israel.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative, resumptive with the first הָאֵלֶּהאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; doubled demonstrative for emphasis — these very nations, still remaining.
אִתְּכֶ֑םwith youprep אֵת + suf 2mp · אֵת/אֶת (H854)Prepositional phrase (comitative), modifying הַנִּשְׁאָרִיםאֵת (H854) 'with' (the comitative preposition, distinct from the object-marker אֵת H853); marks the nations as literally cohabiting the land with Israel.
וּבְשֵׁ֨םand in the name ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Prepositional phrase, object of the following negated verbsשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; invoking a deity's name in oath or worship was thought to activate its power — the prohibition targets even verbal acknowledgment of these gods.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֤םtheir godsN m pl constr + suf 3mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of שֵׁםאֱלֹהִים (H430) here 'gods' (plural sense, unlike its usual singular referent for YHWH) — the deities of the remaining Canaanite peoples.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַזְכִּירוּ, first of four parallel prohibitionsלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal negative; opens the fourfold prohibition (invoke, swear, serve, bow) against the foreign gods.
תַזְכִּ֨ירוּ֙you shall invokeHiphil impf 2mp · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb, negated by לֹא (prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: a standing prohibition governing ongoing/future conductזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; Hiphil 'to invoke, cause to be remembered, mention aloud' — even speaking these gods' names in oath, greeting, or worship is forbidden.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַשְׁבִּיעוּ, second prohibitionלֹא (H3808); continues the fourfold prohibition series.
תַשְׁבִּ֔יעוּyou shall swearHiphil impf 2mp · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb, negated (prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear'; Hiphil (causative sense here functions like the simple 'swear by'); forbids taking oaths in the name of foreign gods.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַעַבְדוּם, third prohibitionלֹא (H3808); continues the series.
תַעַבְד֔וּםyou shall serve themQal impf 2mp + suf 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb, negated (prohibition), 3mp suffix refers to 'their gods'→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; used of cultic service/worship — forbids religious service to the foreign gods.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִשְׁתַּחֲווּ, fourth and final prohibitionלֹא (H3808); closes the fourfold prohibition series.
תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּyou shall bow downHištaphel impf 2mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb, negated (prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: standing prohibitionשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; the standard verb of physical worship — the final, most concrete of the four forbidden acts (mention, swear, serve, bow).
לָהֶֽםto themprep לְ + suf 3mp · לְPrepositional phrase, complement of תִשְׁתַּחֲווּלְ 'to'; marks the foreign gods as the (forbidden) object of worship.
8

כִּ֛י אִם בַּיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

but you shall cling to YHWH your God, just as you have done to this day.

Strong adversative, positive counter-command to v.7כִּי אִם
כִּי אִם sharply reverses the negatives of v.7: not those gods, but YHWH. דָּבַק 'cling' is the same verb used of marital bonding (Gen 2:24), casting covenant loyalty in the most intimate register available. The appeal 'as you have done to this day' grounds the command in demonstrated precedent, not merely aspiration.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כִּ֛יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction, first part of כִּי אִם 'but rather'כִּי (H3588); combines with אִם to form the strong adversative 'but rather, except', pivoting from prohibition to the positive counter-command.
אִםratherconj · אִם (H518)Completes the adversative idiom כִּי אִםאִם (H518) 'if'; with כִּי forms 'but rather, except' — the strongest positive counterpoint to the fourfold prohibition just given.
בַּיהוָ֥הto YHWHprep בְּ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase, complement of תִּדְבָּקוּ (fronted for contrast)יְהוָה (H3068); fronted before the verb for maximal contrast with the forbidden gods just named — YHWH alone is the proper object of clinging.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula, reinforcing the personal claim YHWH has on Israel over against 'their gods' (v.7).
תִּדְבָּ֑קוּyou shall clingQal impf 2mp · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb, main clause (positive counter-command)→ Yiqtol: an ongoing, standing obligation — ceaseless covenant loyalty, not a one-time actדָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling, cleave, stick fast'; the positive counterpart to v.7's prohibitions and the ground of v.11's love-command — used elsewhere of marital bonding (Gen 2:24), casting Israel's covenant loyalty in the most intimate terms.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the confirming clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; appeals to the audience's own past faithfulness as precedent for continued fidelity.
עֲשִׂיתֶ֔םyou have doneQal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: completed action up to the present — an accomplished record of faithfulnessעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the audience's demonstrated loyalty to date becomes the standard by which continued faithfulness is measured.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition governing הַיּוֹם הַזֶּהעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה 'to this day', a standard formula marking continuity from the past into the narrator's/speaker's present.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of עַדיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with הַזֶּה, 'this day' — the present moment of Joshua's speech.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pronoun ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַיּוֹם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; completes the formula 'to this day', a marker of unbroken faithfulness the exhortation now calls to continue.
9

וַיּ֤וֹרֶשׁ יְהוָה֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם גּוֹיִ֖ם גְּדֹלִ֣ים וַעֲצוּמִ֑ים וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹא עָ֤מַד אִישׁ֙ בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

And YHWH has dispossessed before you great and mighty nations, and as for you, no man has stood before you to this day.

Grounds (returns to narrated fact after the charge)asyndeton
Returns from imperative to wayyiqtol narration, grounding the preceding charge in YHWH's proven, unbroken record: nations both great and mighty have fallen, and no single opponent has ever withstood Israel. The disjunctive וְאַתֶּם sets up the following v.10's climactic restatement of v.3's thesis.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיּ֤וֹרֶשׁand he dispossessedwayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (returning to narrated fact)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a report of what YHWH has already accomplishedיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; Hiphil 'to dispossess'; shifts back from exhortation to narrated fact, grounding the charge in YHWH's proven track record against great and mighty nations.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיּוֹרֶשׁיְהוָה (H3068); the sole named agent of dispossession, consistent with v.3's theology.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔םfrom before youprep מִן + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, spatial (source)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפְּנֵיכֶם, repeating the idiom of vv.3, 5, applied now to nations already cleared.
גּוֹיִ֖םnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of וַיּוֹרֶשׁגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; unqualified plural, generalizing the point — not merely these nations but ANY nations YHWH opposes.
גְּדֹלִ֣יםgreatAdj m pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective (modifying גּוֹיִם)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; emphasizes the scale of the nations YHWH has already overcome — no opponent is too formidable.
וַעֲצוּמִ֑יםand mightyconj וְ + Adj m pl abs · עָצוּם (H6099)Attributive adjective, coordinate with גְּדֹלִיםעָצוּם (H6099) 'mighty, numerous'; paired with 'great' as the standard description of formidable nations (cf. Deut 4:38; 9:1) — YHWH has already proven victorious over exactly such foes.
וְאַתֶּ֗םand as for youconj וְ + independent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphatic fronted subject (disjunctive, contrastive with the nations just named)אַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; fronted disjunctively, shifting focus from the defeated nations to Israel's own experience of invincible opposition — 'no man has stood'.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates עָמַדלֹא (H3808); negates the verb, denying that any man has withstood Israel.
עָ֤מַדhas stoodQal perf 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb, negated (main clause)→ Perfective negated: no completed instance of standing firm has ever occurred — total, unbroken recordעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; military idiom for withstanding an assault — no opponent has ever held their ground against Israel, confirming v.3's claim that YHWH himself fights for them.
אִישׁ֙a manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of עָמַדאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive/indefinite — 'not a single man', absolute totality of the claim.
בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔םbefore youprep בְּ + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, spatial (confrontation)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; בִּפְנֵיכֶם 'before you, in your presence' — no enemy has withstood direct confrontation with Israel.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition governing הַיּוֹם הַזֶּהעַד (H5704) 'until'; forms the 'to this day' formula, again marking unbroken continuity to the speaker's present.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of עַדיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completes 'to this day', the speaker's present moment.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pronoun ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַיּוֹם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; closes the formula, anchoring YHWH's unbroken faithfulness right up to the moment of Joshua's speech.
10

אִישׁ אֶחָ֥ד מִכֶּ֖ם יִרְדָּף אָ֑לֶף כִּ֣י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם ה֚וּא הַנִּלְחָ֣ם לָכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָכֶֽם

One man of you puts a thousand to flight, for YHWH your God — he is the one who fights for you, just as he spoke to you.

Ground / climactic restatement of v.3's thesisכִּי
The one-against-a-thousand hyperbole (cf. Lev 26:8) makes v.3's abstract theology vivid and personal, then the כִּי clause repeats v.3's exact identification formula, closing an inclusio around vv.3-10. Everything from v.3 to here has built one argument: Israel's victories were never a matter of numbers, because YHWH himself was the combatant — a truth now about to pivot from grounds into command (v.11's אֲהַבָה).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אִישׁone manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִרְדָּףאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; head of the phrase 'one man of you', the hyperbolic image expressing YHWH's fighting-for-them in concrete numeric terms.
אֶחָ֥דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (modifying אִישׁ)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphasizes the wild disproportion — a single Israelite versus a thousand enemies.
מִכֶּ֖םof youprep מִן + suf 2mp · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase (modifying אִישׁ)מִן (H4480) 'from, of'; partitive — 'one man from among you', any single Israelite.
יִרְדָּףpursuesQal impf 3ms · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb, main clause (gnomic/general truth)→ Yiqtol: gnomic imperfective — a general, characteristic truth about Israel's warfare when YHWH fights for themרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; describes the rout of a routed enemy — the hyperbole of one against a thousand vividly enacts v.3's theology that YHWH, not numbers, decides battles (cf. Lev 26:8; Deut 32:30).
אָ֑לֶףa thousandnumeral comm sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Direct object of יִרְדָּףאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; the extreme disproportion is the whole rhetorical point — human numbers are irrelevant when YHWH fights.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the theological ground clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the reason for the one-against-a-thousand phenomenon — restating v.3's thesis verbatim.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the identification clause (resumed by הוּא)יְהוָה (H3068); the subject of the exact identification clause repeated from v.3.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula, sustained to the last of its many recurrences in this speech.
ה֚וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive/emphatic pronoun (casus pendens: 'YHWH your God — HE...')הוּא (H1931); the emphatic resumption, third occurrence of this exact construction (with v.3, v.5), forming a triple refrain across the speech.
הַנִּלְחָ֣םthe one fightingart + Niphal ptc m sg abs · לָחַם (H3898)Substantival participle, predicate of the identification clause→ Niphal participle: durative, characterizing role — YHWH's standing office as Israel's warriorלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; verbatim repetition of v.3's הַנִּלְחָם לָכֶם, forming an inclusio around vv.3-10: the entire section is bracketed by this one identification — YHWH himself is the one who fights.
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְPrepositional phrase, benefactive complement of הַנִּלְחָםלְ 'for'; marks Israel as beneficiary, as in v.3.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the confirming clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; grounds the claim in YHWH's own prior word, as in v.5.
דִּבֶּ֥רhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speaking, now reaffirmedדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, the authoritative divine word — closes vv.3-10 as it opened v.5, framing the whole section's promise in YHWH's own reliable speech.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of דִּבֶּרלְ 'to'; marks Israel as the recipient of YHWH's original promise, now confirmed by lived experience.
11

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם מְאֹ֖ד לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם לְאַהֲבָ֖ה אֶת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

So watch yourselves very carefully, to love YHWH your God.

Climactic summary commandasyndeton
A compact hinge verse: the reflexive וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד echoes v.6's charge-language while the purpose infinitive לְאַהֲבָה names love as the positive, internal root beneath all the external commands (cling, do not turn, keep the book). It functions as the summary center of the whole exhortation before the chapter turns, in v.12, to the warning of what happens if this love fails.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥םand watch yourselvesconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb, imperatival weqatal (main command, resuming v.6's charge register)→ Volitional (weqatal with imperatival force): a resolute, watchful self-guardingשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch'; Niphal reflexive 'guard yourselves' — the same root as v.6's לִשְׁמֹר, now turned inward toward vigilant self-examination rather than mere external observance.
מְאֹ֖דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier of וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּםמְאֹד (H3966) 'very'; intensifies the reflexive watchfulness, matching v.6's מְאֹד — the charge's urgency has not slackened.
לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑םfor your soulsprep לְ + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Prepositional phrase, reflexive intensifier of וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּםנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם 'for your very selves' intensifies the reflexive verb — this vigilance concerns their own life and survival, not an external formality.
לְאַהֲבָ֖הto loveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Infinitive of purpose/content, specifying what the vigilance is FOR→ Infinitive construct: purpose — defines the positive goal of the watchfulness, love as covenant commitmentאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; in covenant contexts denotes committed loyalty and exclusive allegiance (Deut 6:5; 10:12; 11:1), not mere sentiment — the positive counterpart binding together v.8's דָּבַק and this verse's watchfulness.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם as the definite object of לְאַהֲבָה.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of לְאַהֲבָהיְהוָה (H3068); the sole proper object of the love the vigilance is meant to protect.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); closes the verse on the same covenant formula that has run throughout the speech.
12

כִּ֣י אִם שׁ֣וֹב תָּשׁ֗וּבוּ וּדְבַקְתֶּם֙ בְּיֶ֨תֶר֙ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אִתְּכֶ֑ם וְהִֽתְחַתַּנְתֶּ֥ם בָּהֶ֛ם וּבָאתֶ֥ם בָּהֶ֖ם וְהֵ֥ם בָּכֶֽם

But if you indeed turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations, these remaining ones with you, and intermarry with them, and you come in with them and they with you,

Warning (protasis of the chapter's central conditional)כִּי אִם
The pivot from charge to warning. The infinitive absolute שׁוֹב תָּשׁוּבוּ underlines that this would be a real, decisive reversal, and the verb דָּבַק — commanded of YHWH in v.8 — is chillingly redirected toward the remnant nations. The chiastic reciprocal formula (you-with-them / they-with-you) around חָתַן 'intermarry' names the concrete mechanism (cf. Deut 7:3-4) by which covenant loyalty erodes.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּ֣יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction, first part of כִּי אִם 'but if'כִּי (H3588); with אִם introduces the chapter's decisive turn from charge to warning — the conditional protasis that governs vv.12-13.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction completing כִּי אִםאִם (H518) 'if'; כִּי אִם here functions as 'but if' opening the protasis of the chapter's central warning.
שׁ֣וֹבturning backQal inf abs · שׁוּב (H7725)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the finite verb תָּשׁוּבוּ (paronomastic intensification)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty/intensity — 'if you TURN BACK, indeed turn back'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; the infinitive absolute construction underscores the seriousness of apostasy as a genuine reversal, a real turning-back from the fidelity just commanded.
תָּשׁ֗וּבוּyou turn backQal impf 2mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis (main clause of כִּי אִם)→ Yiqtol (conditional): a hypothetical but vivid future possibility being warned againstשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; the finite verb reinforced by the preceding infinitive absolute — apostasy imagined as a decisive reversal of the דָּבַק of v.8.
וּדְבַקְתֶּם֙and clingconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb, coordinate with תָּשׁוּבוּ (continuing the protasis)→ Weqatal continuing the conditional: the hypothetical apostasy specified furtherדָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling'; the SAME verb commanded of YHWH in v.8, now horrifyingly redirected toward the remnant nations — the positive command inverted into its opposite.
בְּיֶ֨תֶר֙to the remnant ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יֶתֶר (H3499)Prepositional phrase, complement of וּדְבַקְתֶּםיֶתֶר (H3499) 'remainder, remnant'; a synonym for the הַנִּשְׁאָרִים 'remaining' nations already named — the surviving, unconquered pockets.
הַגּוֹיִ֣םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complement of יֶתֶרגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the same peoples whose gods v.7 forbade acknowledging at all.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַגּוֹיִם)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the particular remaining nations in view.
הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥יםthe remainingart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · שָׁאַר (H7604)Substantival participle in attributive apposition to הַגּוֹיִם→ Niphal participle: a standing, unresolved conditionשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain'; the third occurrence of this designation (vv.4, 7, 12), driving home that the danger is precisely these still-present peoples.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative, resumptive with the first הָאֵלֶּהאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; doubled demonstrative, matching v.7's construction exactly.
אִתְּכֶ֑םwith youprep אֵת + suf 2mp · אֵת/אֶת (H854)Prepositional phrase (comitative), modifying הַנִּשְׁאָרִיםאֵת (H854) 'with'; matching v.7's exact phrase — these are neighbors living in Israel's midst, not distant threats.
וְהִֽתְחַתַּנְתֶּ֥םand intermarryconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 2mp · חָתַן (H2859)Predicate verb, continuing the protasis chain→ Weqatal (Hitpael, reciprocal/reflexive): continuing the hypothetical apostasy — a mutual, two-way entanglementחָתַן (H2859) 'to be father-in-law/related by marriage'; Hitpael 'to make marriage alliances with, intermarry' — the specific mechanism (cf. Deut 7:3) by which religious syncretism was thought to spread, the concrete danger behind the abstract 'turning back'.
בָּהֶ֛םwith themprep בְּ + suf 3mp · בְּPrepositional phrase, complement of וְהִתְחַתַּנְתֶּםבְּ 'with, among'; marks the remaining nations as marriage partners in the warned scenario.
וּבָאתֶ֥םand you comeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, continuing the protasis chain→ Weqatal: continuing the hypothetical apostasy sequenceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here of intimate/marital union — completes the reciprocal picture with the next clause (וְהֵם בָּכֶם, 'and they with you').
בָּהֶ֖םwith themprep בְּ + suf 3mp · בְּPrepositional phrase, complement of וּבָאתֶםבְּ 'with'; first half of the reciprocal formula: 'you go in with them'.
וְהֵ֥םand theyconj וְ + independent pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the second half of the reciprocal formulaהֵם (H1992) 'they'; completing the mutual entanglement — 'and they with you' — total, reciprocal social/religious mixing.
בָּכֶֽםwith youprep בְּ + suf 2mp · בְּPrepositional phrase, completing the reciprocal formulaבְּ 'with'; closes the verse's chiastic reciprocity (you-with-them, they-with-you) picturing complete social fusion with the remaining nations.
13

יָד֨וֹעַ֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּ כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יוֹסִ֜יף יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם לְהוֹרִ֛ישׁ אֶת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם לְפַ֣ח וּלְמוֹקֵ֗שׁ וּלְשֹׁטֵ֤ט בְּצִדֵּיכֶם֙ וְלִצְנִנִ֣ים בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֔ם עַד אֲבָדְכֶ֗ם מֵ֠עַל הָאֲדָמָ֤ה הַטּוֹבָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

know for certain that YHWH your God will no longer continue to dispossess these nations from before you, and 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 ground that YHWH your God has given you.

Apodosis (consequence) of v.12's protasisasyndeton
The emphatic יָדוֹעַ תֵּדְעוּ forecloses any illusion of a soft outcome. Every promise of vv.3-10 is here systematically reversed: the dispossessing (v.5) will simply stop, and the remaining nations — object of the merely social warning in vv.7, 12 — become an active fourfold instrument of harm (snare, trap, scourge, thorns), quoting Num 33:55 almost verbatim. The verse ends where it must: not exile in the abstract but perishing from THIS GOOD GROUND that YHWH himself gave — the gift is real, and precisely for that reason forfeitable.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
יָד֨וֹעַ֙knowingQal inf abs · יָדַע (H3045)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the finite verb תֵּדְעוּ (paronomastic intensification)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty — 'know FOR CERTAIN'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the emphatic construction יָדוֹעַ תֵּדְעוּ forces the audience to reckon with the warning's certainty, not merely its possibility.
תֵּֽדְע֔וּyou shall knowQal impf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis of v.12's protasis)→ Yiqtol with infinitive absolute: emphatic certainty — an unavoidable future consequence, not a mere possibilityיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; introduces the consequence clause: apostasy WILL result in exactly this outcome — the emphatic construction leaves no room for hope of exception.
כִּי֩thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause of תֵּדְעוּכִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content to be known with certainty — YHWH's cessation of driving out the nations.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יוֹסִיףלֹא (H3808); negates the verb of continuation — YHWH will NOT continue his dispossessing work if this apostasy occurs.
יוֹסִ֜יףhe will continueHiphil impf 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb, negated, governing the infinitive לְהוֹרִישׁ→ Yiqtol negated: a reversal of the future promised in v.5 — the dispossessing will simply stopיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue'; Hiphil 'to continue doing'; reverses v.5's confident promise (יֶהְדֳּפֵם...וְהוֹרִישׁ) — apostasy would forfeit the very conquest still in progress.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יוֹסִיףיְהוָה (H3068); the same subject whose fighting was celebrated in vv.3, 5, 10 — now potentially withholding that very help.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); even in warning, the covenant formula persists — the relationship, not merely the threat, remains the frame.
לְהוֹרִ֛ישׁto dispossessprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive complement of יוֹסִיף→ Infinitive construct: the action that would cease — direct reversal of v.5's promiseיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; Hiphil 'to dispossess'; the very verb of v.5's promise, now under threat of suspension.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה as the definite object of לְהוֹרִישׁ.
הַגּוֹיִ֥םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct objectגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the same remaining peoples whose danger has been named repeatedly.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַגּוֹיִם)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the particular nations whose dispossession is now in jeopardy.
מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑םfrom before youprep מִן + prep לְ + N comm pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, spatial (source)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the compound מִלִּפְנֵיכֶם, echoing v.5's exact phrase — the very expulsion promised there now placed in doubt.
וְהָי֨וּand they will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, apodosis continuation (result)→ Weqatal: certain future consequence — the remaining nations become instruments of harmהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; introduces the catalog of what the remaining nations WILL become for Israel if the warned apostasy occurs — snare, trap, scourge, thorns.
לָכֶ֜םto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of וְהָיוּלְ 'to, for'; marks Israel as the one for whom the nations become this fourfold danger.
לְפַ֣חfor a snareprep לְ + N m sg abs · פַּח (H6341)Predicate complement of וְהָיוּ (first of four images)פַּח (H6341) 'snare, bird-trap'; the first of a four-term catalog of danger, echoing Num 33:55's identical warning about the unremoved Canaanites.
וּלְמוֹקֵ֗שׁand a trapconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg abs · מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170)Predicate complement of וְהָיוּ, second imageמוֹקֵשׁ (H4170) 'trap, snare, stumbling-block'; often paired with פַּח as a fixed idiom for entrapment leading to ruin.
וּלְשֹׁטֵ֤טand a scourgeconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg abs · שׁוֹטֵט (H7850)Predicate complement of וְהָיוּ, third imageשׁוֹטֵט (H7850), a rare noun related to שׁוֹט 'whip'; 'a scourge, a lash' — the danger turns from passive entrapment to active affliction.
בְּצִדֵּיכֶם֙in your sidesprep בְּ + N m pl constr + suf 2mp · צַד (H6654)Prepositional phrase, locating the שׁוֹטֵטצַד (H6654) 'side, flank'; a scourge striking at Israel's very sides — physical, painful affliction, echoing Num 33:55's לְשִׂכִּים בְּצִדֵּיכֶם.
וְלִצְנִנִ֣יםand thornsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl abs · צָנִין (H6796)Predicate complement of וְהָיוּ, fourth imageצָנִין (H6796) 'thorn, prickle'; a rare word (cf. Num 33:55's שִׂכִּים) — completes the fourfold catalog: snare, trap, scourge, thorns, moving from trap to whip to piercing pain in the eyes.
בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֔םin your eyesprep בְּ + N comm dual constr + suf 2mp · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase, locating the צְנִינִיםעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; thorns IN the eyes — the sharpest possible image of constant, blinding irritation, directly echoing Num 33:55.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition governing אֲבָדְכֶםעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the terminus of the suffering just described — persisting until destruction.
אֲבָדְכֶ֗םyour perishingQal inf constr + suf 2mp · אָבַד (H6)Infinitive construct (with pronominal subject), object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: the terminal outcome — total, not merely painfulאָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be destroyed'; the catalog of affliction (snare, trap, scourge, thorns) culminates not in mere suffering but in complete destruction from the land.
מֵ֠עַלfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · מֵעַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phrase, spatial (source)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; compound מֵעַל 'from upon' introduces the ground from which Israel would be destroyed — the good land itself.
הָאֲדָמָ֤הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of מֵעַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land, soil'; the very land whose goodness has just been the ground of blessing becomes, ironically, the site of ruin.
הַטּוֹבָה֙the goodart + Adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the land's goodness is asserted precisely at the point of warning loss — its goodness does not guarantee retention, only YHWH's gift does.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; points to the very land Israel now occupies — the concrete, present stakes of the warning.
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הָאֲדָמָהאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause identifying the land as YHWH's gift.
נָתַ֣ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of gift-giving, the fixed fact under threatנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the land was, and remains, YHWH's GIFT — the warning does not deny that fact, it warns that the gift can be forfeited through unfaithfulness.
לָכֶ֔םto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of נָתַןלְ 'to'; marks Israel as the recipient of the land-gift now placed at risk.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068); the giver of the land, named at the close of the warning as at every other turn in this speech.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); closes the verse's long warning on the same covenant formula that has anchored every section of the chapter.
14

וְהִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֤י הוֹלֵךְ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ כָּל הָאָ֑רֶץ וִידַעְתֶּ֞ם בְּכָל לְבַבְכֶ֣ם וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם כִּ֣י לֹֽא נָפַל֩ דָּבָ֨ר אֶחָ֜ד מִכֹּ֣ל הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הַטּוֹבִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֜ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֙ עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם הַכֹּל֙ בָּ֣אוּ לָכֶ֔ם לֹֽא נָפַ֥ל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ דָּבָ֥ר אֶחָֽד

And behold, I am going today the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that not one word has failed of all the good words that YHWH your God spoke concerning you; all have come to pass for you, not one word of them has failed.

Personal testimony (deathbed confession, grounds for confidence)asyndeton
Joshua's own death, spoken of in the present participle as an already-begun journey ('the way of all the earth', echoed by David in 1 Kgs 2:2), becomes the occasion for his climactic testimony. The verse forms a tight envelope (not one word has failed... not one word of them has failed) around the positive restatement (all have come to pass), personalizing the narrator's own refrain at 21:45. This total reliability of the good words sets up v.15's terrible symmetry: the same certainty applies to the evil word.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing Joshua's personal testimonyהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws sharp attention to the solemnity of the moment — Joshua's own imminent death, spoken of as present fact.
אָנֹכִ֤יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of הוֹלֵךְאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the emphatic first-person form (alternate to אֲנִי of v.2), fronted for the weight of this final personal statement.
הוֹלֵךְ֙goingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Substantival/predicative participle, main predicate ('I am going')→ Participle: a present, ongoing state — death understood as an already-begun journey, not a distant future eventהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; the participle expresses vivid present tense — Joshua speaks of dying as a journey already underway, the idiom דֶּרֶךְ כָּל הָאָרֶץ 'the way of all the earth' recurring almost verbatim in David's deathbed charge (1 Kgs 2:2).
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; הַיּוֹם functions adverbially, 'today' — the immediacy heightens the solemnity: this is not distant prophecy but present reality.
בְּדֶ֖רֶךְthe way ofprep בְּ + N comm sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Prepositional phrase, complement of הוֹלֵךְדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the euphemism דֶּרֶךְ כָּל הָאָרֶץ 'the way of all the earth' = death, the common lot of humanity — echoed verbatim by David in 1 Kgs 2:2.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive complement of דֶּרֶךְכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; universalizes the euphemism — death as the shared destiny of every human being.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N comm sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of כָּלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; completes the mortality idiom shared by all humankind, in poignant contrast with vv.4-5's אֶרֶץ as the specific land of promise.
וִידַעְתֶּ֞םand you knowconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb, imperatival weqatal (main command/assertion)→ Weqatal with imperatival/declarative force: a call to full, wholehearted recognition of the following truthיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; introduces the testimony's central claim, intensified by the totalizing phrase 'with all your heart and all your soul'.
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with לֵבָב, part of the totalizing 'with all your heart and all your soul' formula echoing the Shema (Deut 6:5).
לְבַבְכֶ֣םyour heartN m sg constr + suf 2mp · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive complement of כָּללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of will and understanding — this knowing is meant to be total conviction, not detached information.
וּבְכָלand with allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinate with בְּכָל לְבַבְכֶםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; completes the Shema-echoing pair, 'heart and soul'.
נַפְשְׁכֶ֗םyour soulN comm sg constr + suf 2mp · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complement of כָּלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; with לֵבָב forms the full-person formula of wholehearted conviction, deliberately recalling Deut 6:5's love-command.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause of וִידַעְתֶּםכִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of the required knowledge — the reliability of every good word YHWH has spoken.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נָפַללֹא (H3808); negates the verb of failing — 'not one word has fallen [away, failed]'.
נָפַל֩has failedQal perf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb, negated (main clause)→ Perfective negated: total, retrospective certainty — a completed record with zero exceptionsנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; idiomatically 'to fail, come to nothing' — the same root used earlier for the casting of lots (v.4) and the future 'falling' of the evil word (v.15), here denying any word of YHWH has ever failed, personalizing the refrain of 21:45.
דָּבָ֨רa wordN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of נָפַלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; the recurring subject of this verse's refrain — every promised דָּבָר has been kept.
אֶחָ֜דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (modifying דָּבָר)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphatic totality by negation — not a single word, no exceptions whatsoever.
מִכֹּ֣לof allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase, modifying דָּבָר אֶחָדכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; partitive, 'from among all the good words' — sets the scope of the sweeping claim.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of מִכֹּלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; the full body of YHWH's promises spoken over Israel's history.
הַטּוֹבִ֗יםthe goodart + Adj m pl abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (modifying הַדְּבָרִים)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; specifies these as the GOOD words, setting up v.15's stark symmetrical contrast with the evil word yet to come.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause specifying which words — those YHWH spoke concerning Israel.
דִּבֶּ֜רspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: completed acts of divine speech, now vindicated by historyדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, the authoritative divine word, the same verb used throughout the chapter (vv.5, 10) for YHWH's reliable promises.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); the speaker whose entire promised word has proven completely reliable.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֙your GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula, sustained even in this most personal testimony.
עֲלֵיכֶ֔םconcerning youprep עַל + suf 2mp · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, complement of דִּבֶּרעַל (H5921) 'upon, concerning'; marks Israel as the subject-matter of YHWH's promised words.
הַכֹּל֙allart + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of בָּאוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; substantized 'the all/everything' — every one of the good words just described.
בָּ֣אוּhave come to passQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, restating the claim positively)→ Perfective: total, completed fulfillment — every promise has already arrived at its accomplishmentבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; idiomatically 'to be fulfilled, come to pass' — restates v.14's negative claim (nothing has failed) in positive form (everything has come).
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of בָּאוּלְ 'for, to'; marks Israel as the one who has experienced the fulfillment of every good word.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נָפַל, resuming/closing the verse's refrainלֹא (H3808); reopens the negative form of the claim, forming an envelope (not one has failed... not one word has failed) around the positive restatement.
נָפַ֥לhas failedQal perf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb, negated (main clause), closing the verse's refrain→ Perfective negated: total, retrospective certainty — a completed record with zero exceptionsנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall, fail'; the verse's refrain returns exactly as it began, framing vv.14b-c as a tight envelope structure around the claim of total fulfillment — 21:45's promise personalized as Joshua's final testimony.
מִמֶּ֖נּוּfrom itprep מִן + suf 3ms (spelled identically to 1cp) · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, source, referring back to הַכֹּל / the wordsמִן (H4480) 'from'; מִמֶּנּוּ refers back to 'all [the words]', a collective/masc referent, not to the speakers — 'not one word of them has failed', matching the same construction as v.6.
דָּבָ֥רa wordN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of נָפַלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; final repetition of the verse's key term, sealing the testimony with total emphasis.
אֶחָֽדonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (modifying דָּבָר)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; closes the verse with the same emphatic 'not even one' formula that opened its central claim.
15

וְהָיָ֗ה כַּאֲשֶׁר בָּ֤א עֲלֵיכֶם֙ כָּל הַדָּבָ֣ר הַטּ֔וֹב אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם כֵּן֩ יָבִ֨יא יְהוָ֜ה עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם אֵ֚ת כָּל הַדָּבָ֣ר הָרָ֔ע עַד הַשְׁמִיד֣וֹ אוֹתְכֶ֗ם מֵ֠עַל הָאֲדָמָ֤ה הַטּוֹבָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

And it shall be, just as every good word that YHWH your God spoke to you has come upon you, so YHWH will bring upon you every evil word, until he has destroyed you from this good ground that YHWH your God has given you,

Correlative warning (כַּאֲשֶׁר...כֵּן), the chapter's terrible balanceasyndeton
The chapter's centerpiece: a single correlative construction (just as...so) makes the identical divine faithfulness that fulfilled every blessing the guarantee of every curse. שָׁמַד 'destroy', normally used of YHWH's judgment on the Canaanites, is here aimed at Israel — the sharpest possible reversal. Blessing and curse are not different powers but the SAME faithfulness of the SAME God responding to Israel's own fidelity or apostasy.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, opening the verse's conditional-symmetrical statement→ Weqatal: a certain future consequence, structurally parallel to what followsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; introduces the chapter's central symmetry — the same reliable mechanism that brought every good word will bring the evil word.
כַּאֲשֶׁרjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction opening the correlative construction (כַּאֲשֶׁר...כֵּן)כַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; paired with כֵּן below to form the chapter's climactic correlative — 'just as...so'.
בָּ֤אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: completed, verified fulfillment — the good word's arrival is past factבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; echoes v.14's בָּאוּ, restating the record of fulfilled blessing as the premise for the coming warning.
עֲלֵיכֶם֙upon youprep עַל + suf 2mp · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, complement of בָּאעַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks Israel as the recipient of the good word's fulfillment.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of בָּא (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; 'every good word', the first half of the chapter's blessing-curse symmetry.
הַדָּבָ֣רthe wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of כָּלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; the key term running through vv.14-15, here in the singular collective 'the good word'.
הַטּ֔וֹבthe goodart + Adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (modifying הַדָּבָר)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the pole of blessing already fulfilled (v.14), now set up for the terrible counterpart of v.15b.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַדָּבָראֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause identifying the good word's source.
דִּבֶּ֛רspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, now-fulfilled act of speakingדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, the same verb of authoritative divine speech woven throughout the chapter.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); the same speaker of both good and, potentially, evil words — the chapter's terrible balance rests entirely on his single, consistent faithfulness to his own word.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula persists even as the tone darkens toward warning.
אֲלֵיכֶ֑םto youprep אֶל + suf 2mp · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of דִּבֶּראֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Israel as recipient of YHWH's spoken word.
כֵּן֩soadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Correlative adverb completing כַּאֲשֶׁר...כֵּן ('just as...so')כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; completes the correlative construction — the chapter's terrible balance stated in a single grammatical structure: exactly as blessing came, so will curse.
יָבִ֨יאhe will bringHiphil impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, apodosis of the correlative construction (main warning)→ Yiqtol: a certain future consequence — the mirror-image of the good word's arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come' — the same verb (v.14, 15a) now causative and directed at the evil word: the identical faithfulness that fulfilled every promise will fulfill every curse.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יָבִיאיְהוָה (H3068); the same, single agent behind both blessing and curse — the chapter's centerpiece truth.
עֲלֵיכֶ֗םupon youprep עַל + suf 2mp · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, complement of יָבִיאעַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks Israel as recipient — this time of the evil word, mirroring the good word's earlier arrival.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking כָּל הַדָּבָר הָרָע as the definite object of יָבִיא.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'every'; 'every evil word', the exact mirror of v.15a's 'every good word'.
הַדָּבָ֣רthe wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of כָּלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; the same key term as v.15a, now paired with 'evil' instead of 'good' — the mirror is exact down to the noun itself.
הָרָ֔עthe evilart + Adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective (modifying הַדָּבָר)רַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; the exact opposite of v.15a's טוֹב — blessing and curse hang on the very same faithfulness of God, the chapter's terrible balance stated as starkly as Hebrew allows.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition governing הַשְׁמִידוֹעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the terminus of the evil word's operation — total destruction.
הַשְׁמִיד֣וֹhis destroyingHiphil inf constr + suf 3ms · שָׁמַד (H8045)Infinitive construct (with pronominal subject referring to YHWH), object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: the terminal outcome — total annihilation, not partial lossשָׁמַד (H8045) 'to destroy, exterminate'; Hiphil, a strong verb elsewhere used of YHWH's destruction of the Canaanites themselves — now, in stark reversal, aimed at Israel.
אוֹתְכֶ֗ם[obj] youobj marker + suf 2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object of הַשְׁמִידוֹ)אֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, marking Israel itself as the object of destruction — the sobering reversal of every conquest narrative in the book.
מֵ֠עַלfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · מֵעַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phrase, spatial (source)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; compound מֵעַל, matching v.13's phrase exactly — destruction FROM the good ground itself.
הָאֲדָמָ֤הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of מֵעַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land'; the same land named as gift in v.13 and v.15c — the site both of blessing and, if apostasy occurs, of total loss.
הַטּוֹבָה֙the goodart + Adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the land's goodness, asserted twice now (v.13, here), does not diminish the reality of loss — goodness is a property of the gift, not a guarantee against forfeiture.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the concrete, present land — matching v.13's exact demonstrative reference.
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הָאֲדָמָהאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the closing relative clause naming the land's giver.
נָתַ֣ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of gift-giving, the fixed fact under threat one final timeנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; repeats v.13's exact clause — the chapter closes as it warned, insisting that even in judgment, the land remains fundamentally YHWH's gift, now withdrawn rather than denied from the start.
לָכֶ֔םto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of נָתַןלְ 'to'; marks Israel as the recipient of the land-gift, even as its loss is being warned.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068); named a final time as the land's giver, closing the verse's grim symmetry on the same divine name that opened the whole speech's promises.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula's last occurrence in v.15, sustaining relationship-language even at the verse of gravest warning.
16

בְּ֠עָבְרְכֶם אֶת בְּרִ֨ית יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה אֶתְכֶם֒ וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָהֶ֑ם וְחָרָ֤ה אַף יְהוָה֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֣ם מְהֵרָ֔ה מֵעַל֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר נָתַ֥ן לָכֶֽם

when you transgress the covenant of YHWH your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of YHWH will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from the good land that he has given you.

Consequence clause (final apodosis, closing the chapter and the book's charge material)asyndeton
The chapter's last verse finally names explicitly what has been circled since v.7: transgressing YHWH's covenant by serving other gods. The threefold verb sequence (go, serve, bow) is the exact realization of what vv.7 and 12 forbade. Yet the very last word of the chapter is not judgment but gift — 'the good land... that he has given you' — leaving the book's charge to conclude, as it began (1:2-9), on the double reality of covenant demand and covenant grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
בְּ֠עָבְרְכֶםwhen you transgressprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + suf 2mp · עָבַר (H5674)Infinitive construct (temporal, with pronominal subject), introducing the final conditional clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal/conditional — 'in your transgressing', the concrete trigger for the whole chapter's warningעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass through'; here 'to transgress, violate' (a covenant) — the same root used spatially in vv.4, 14 (crossing the Jordan, the earth) now turned to covenant violation, the final specific naming of what v.12's 'turning back' actually means.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking בְּרִית יְהוָה as the definite object of עָבְרְכֶם.
בְּרִ֨יתthe covenant ofN f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object (head of construct chain)בְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the chapter's warnings have all along presupposed a formal covenant relationship, here named explicitly for the first time — everything at stake is covenantal, not merely moral.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of בְּרִיתיְהוָה (H3068); the covenant's author and party, named at the chapter's decisive final turn.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֮your GodN m pl constr + suf 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula's final occurrence in the chapter, still binding even at this last warning.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying בְּרִיתאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause specifying the covenant's origin in divine command.
צִוָּ֣הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of authoritative command, the binding basis of the covenant now in viewצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel, the standard verb for covenant stipulation — recalls the Sinai/Moab commanding that underlies the whole book's demand for fidelity.
אֶתְכֶם֒[obj] youobj marker + suf 2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object of צִוָּה)אֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, marking Israel as the one commanded — the covenant's terms are addressed directly to them, not an abstract third party.
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗םand you goconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb, apodosis (main clause of the final warning)→ Weqatal: continuing the hypothetical apostasy sequence — the outcome if the covenant is transgressedהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; idiomatically 'to follow after' — the first of three verbs (go, serve, bow) naming full defection to other gods, the exact violation forbidden in v.7.
וַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙and serveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb, coordinate with וַהֲלַכְתֶּם→ Weqatal: continuing the apostasy sequenceעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; the exact verb forbidden in v.7, now the realized outcome — the very act the whole chapter has warned against.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of וַעֲבַדְתֶּםאֱלֹהִים (H430) here plural indefinite 'gods' (not YHWH); the term used throughout for YHWH now applied, in the worst-case scenario, to rival deities.
אֲחֵרִ֔יםotherAdj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective (modifying אֱלֹהִים)אַחֵר (H312) 'other'; 'other gods', the standard Deuteronomic phrase for apostasy (Deut 5:7; 6:14, etc.) — naming precisely the violation the whole chapter has circled around without naming until now.
וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖םand bow downconj וְ + Hištaphel weqatal 2mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb, third and final in the apostasy sequence→ Weqatal: continuing the apostasy sequence, culminating the fourth prohibited act of v.7 now enactedשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, worship'; the third verb (go, serve, bow), the same physical act of worship forbidden in v.7 — now the realized, worst-case outcome.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ + suf 3mp · לְPrepositional phrase, complement of וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶםלְ 'to'; marks the other gods as the (realized, worst-case) object of forbidden worship.
וְחָרָ֤הand it will burnconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate verb, main consequence clause→ Weqatal: a certain, following consequence — divine wrath as the inevitable result of covenant violationחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; idiomatic of anger — vivid physical imagery for YHWH's response to the apostasy just described.
אַףthe anger ofN comm sg constr · אַף (H639)Subject of וְחָרָה (construct chain, genitival)אַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; the physical seat of anger in Hebrew idiom (flaring nostrils), construct with יְהוָה, 'the anger of YHWH will burn'.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of אַףיְהוָה (H3068); named a final time as the one whose covenant loyalty, spurned, becomes righteous anger.
בָּכֶ֔םagainst youprep בְּ + suf 2mp · בְּPrepositional phrase, complement of וְחָרָהבְּ 'against'; directs YHWH's kindled anger squarely at Israel, the covenant partner who has broken faith.
וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֣םand you will perishconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb, final consequence clause→ Weqatal: the terminal, certain consequence — the chapter's final and starkest wordאָבַד (H6) 'to perish'; the same verb as v.13's אֲבָדְכֶם, now stated in blunt finite form as the book's very last warning — the whole conquest could be undone.
מְהֵרָ֔הquicklyN f sg abs (adverbial) · מְהֵרָה (H4120)Adverbial accusative (manner/speed)מְהֵרָה (H4120) 'quickly, speedily'; the loss, when it comes, will not be gradual — a sobering intensification of the warning's urgency.
מֵעַל֙from uponprep מִן + prep עַל · מֵעַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phrase, spatial (source)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; compound מֵעַל, matching vv.13 and 15's identical phrase — the same good land, now finally and starkly the site of loss.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N comm sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of מֵעַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the very land promised in vv.4-5 and gifted in vv.13, 15 — the book's central promise, here finally at risk in its closing verse.
הַטּוֹבָ֔הthe goodart + Adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (modifying הָאָרֶץ)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the land's goodness named one final time — goodness given, and, in the warned scenario, goodness lost, but never goodness withheld from the start.
אֲשֶׁ֖רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the chapter's final clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the book's very last relative clause, naming the land's giver one final time.
נָתַ֥ןhe gaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of relative clause, closing the chapter→ Perfective: a completed act of gift-giving, the chapter's very last verb form — the last word is 'gave', not 'took'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the chapter's final verb of substance, repeating for the fourth time (vv.13, 15 twice, here) that the land is fundamentally, irreducibly YHWH's gift — the warning's whole force depends on this being true.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְIndirect object of נָתַן, closing the chapterלְ 'to'; the very last word of the chapter — Israel as the recipient of a gift that remains, to the end, real, generous, and forfeitable only through their own unfaithfulness.