Joshua 23:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 23:5 mean?

Joshua 23:5 says that the LORD God will remove the other nations from before the Israelites and drive them out of their land, so that the Israelites will take possession of it, just as God promised. This verse reassures the people that God will fulfill His promise to give them the land.

In this scene, Joshua is speaking to the leaders of Israel near the end of his life, reminding them of God’s faithfulness. Joshua emphasizes that it is God—not their own strength—who will push out the remaining peoples in the land, and that the Israelites’ possession of the land is based on God’s earlier promise.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 23:5

• LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, highlighting His covenant relationship with Israel. Joshua uses this name to stress that it is the same faithful God who made promises to their ancestors.
• expel (הוֹרִישׁ, horish) and drive (יָרַשׁ, yarash): Both words carry the sense of removing or dispossessing. The repetition stresses that God will actively push out the current inhabitants, not just allow Israel to settle among them.
• possess (יָרַשׁ, yarash): This word means to take over or inherit. It underlines that Israel’s right to the land comes from God’s action and promise, not just their own conquest.
• promised (דָּבַר, dabar): This verb means “to speak” or “to promise.” Joshua is reminding the people that God’s word is reliable and that what He has spoken will come to pass.

Why Joshua 23:5 matters

• Joshua 23:5 clarifies that the Israelites’ success in taking the land is not due to their own power, but because of God’s direct intervention and faithfulness to His promise.
• The verse connects back to earlier promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing the continuity of God’s plan for Israel.
• Joshua’s reminder encourages the people to trust in God’s ongoing help, especially as they face the remaining challenges in fully settling the land.