And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.

JOSHUA 23:1KJV
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Joshua 23:1 (KJV)

What does Joshua 23:1 mean?

Joshua 23:1 describes a time long after the Israelites had settled in the land and enjoyed peace from their enemies, when Joshua had grown very old. The verse sets the stage for Joshua’s final words to the people, marking a period of stability after years of conflict.

This verse is a narrative introduction, letting the reader know that the major battles are over and Israel is now living in a time of rest. Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses and led Israel into the Promised Land, is now advanced in years and preparing to address the nation before his death.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 23:1

  • "Rest" (נ֫וּחַ, nuach): This word means to settle down or be at ease. Its use here emphasizes that Israel was no longer at war and could finally live in peace, highlighting a significant turning point in their history.
  • "Old" (זָקֵן, zaqen): This word means advanced in age. The verse stresses Joshua’s age to show that a leadership transition is coming, and his words carry the weight of a final testament.
  • "Enemies" (אֹיֵב, oyev): This word refers to hostile nations around Israel. The mention of enemies “round about” underlines that the peace Israel enjoyed was surrounded by potential threats, making the rest given by the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) especially significant.

Why Joshua 23:1 matters

  • Joshua 23:1 clarifies that the following chapters are Joshua’s farewell, spoken after a long period of peace, not in the heat of battle or crisis.
  • The verse highlights the faithfulness of the LORD in giving Israel rest, connecting back to earlier promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • By noting Joshua’s old age, the verse signals a transition in leadership and prepares the reader for his final instructions and warnings to the people.

Where else these words appear

“old” Hebrew H2204 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
  • Ruth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
  • 1 Kings 1:1 Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

“rest” Hebrew H5117 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
  • 2 Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
  • Isaiah 7:19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.