And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

JOSHUA 3:10KJV
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Joshua 3:10 (KJV)

What does Joshua 3:10 mean?

Joshua 3:10 describes Joshua telling the Israelites that they will know the living God is with them because God will certainly drive out the peoples living in the land ahead of them, listing several specific groups. This verse is a promise of God's active presence and assurance that He will remove obstacles as the Israelites enter the promised land.

Joshua is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. He is reassuring them that God (called "the living God") is not distant or inactive but is truly among them and will act on their behalf. The mention of specific groups—the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites—shows the real and varied challenges ahead, but also the certainty of God's promise.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 3:10

  • The word for "living" (חַי, ḥay) emphasizes that God is active and present, not an idol or a distant deity, which would have been important in contrast to the gods of the peoples listed.
  • The word for "God" (אֵל, El) is a common term for God, highlighting His power and might in this context.
  • The phrase "among you" (בְּקִרְבְּכֶם, bəqirbəkhem) stresses God's nearness to the people, not just His existence but His presence right in their midst.
  • The word for "drive out" or "fail" (יָרַשׁ, yarash) carries the sense of dispossessing or removing someone from their land, making clear that God's action will be thorough and decisive.

Why Joshua 3:10 matters

  • Joshua 3:10 clarifies that the Israelites' success is not due to their own strength but because God is with them and will act.
  • The verse highlights the uniqueness of Israel's God as "living" compared to the lifeless idols of other nations, which is a key theme throughout the Old Testament.
  • This promise sets up the events that follow, where God's power is shown as the Israelites cross the Jordan and begin to take the land, reinforcing the trustworthiness of God's word.

Where else these words appear

“Girgashites” Hebrew H1622 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 7:1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
  • 1 Chronicles 1:14 The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

“Perizzites” Hebrew H6522 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Exodus 34:11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
  • Joshua 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

“Hivites” Hebrew H2340 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
  • Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
  • Joshua 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.