Joshua Chapter 1

“Now after the death of Moses, etc.] Or “and after” f8; the book begins as if something went before, it is connected with; and indeed it seems to be the last chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, which treats of the death of Moses; and Joshua being the penman of (<053405>Deuteronomy 34:5-12), as say the Talmudists f9, and of this book, as has been seen, having wrote them, he goes on with the history of his own affairs in strict connection with that account, beginning where that ended; namely, at the death of Moses, whose character here given is the servant of the Lord; and a faithful one he was in all things…”

“THE LORD APPOINTS JOSHUA TO SUCCEED MOSES. (Jos. 1:1-18) Now after the death of Moses--Joshua, having been already appointed and designated leader of Israel (Num 27:18-23), in all probability assumed the reins of government immediately "after the death of Moses." the servant of the Lord--This was the official title of Moses as invested with a special mission to make known the will of God; and it conferred great honor and authority. the Lord spake unto Joshua--probably during the period of public mourning, and either by a direct revelation to the mind of Joshua, or by means of Urim and Thummim (Num 27:21). This…”

“Now ... - Hebrew: “and, ...” The statement following is thus connected with some previous one, which is assumed to be known to the reader. So Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, etc., are by the same means linked on to the books preceding them. The connection here is the closer, since the Book of Deuteronomy concludes, and the book of Joshua opens, by referring to the death of Moses. Moses, the servant of the Lord - On the epithet, see the marginal reference “b.” Moses’ minister - It is impossible altogether to pass by the typical application of this verse. Moses, representing the law, is dead; Joshua, or, as that name is…”

“After the death of Moses - Either immediately after it, or when the days of mourning for Moses were expired. Joshua was appointed and declared Moses's successor in the government before this time; and here he receives confirmation from God therein. The servant of the Lord - This title is given to Moses here and Jos 1:2, as also Deu 34:5, and is repeated not without cause, to reflect honour upon him, to give authority to his laws and writings, in publishing whereof he acted as God's servant, in his name: and that the Israelites might not think of Moses above what was meet, remembering that he was not the Lord…”

“1:1-9 God confirmed Joshua as Israel’s leader and Moses’ successor. God made Abraham a specific promise to bring his descendants into possession of the land of Canaan (Gen 12:7; 15:7; 17:8). This promise was repeated to Moses (Exod 3:6-8; 13:3-5; Deut 1:6-8; 6:10-19). Now God was ready to fulfill his promise using Joshua. Joshua led Israel’s first generation of settlers into the Promised Land, and his victories against two Canaanite coalitions—first in the south and then in the north—opened the hill country for settlement by the Israelites. 1:1-2 Moses had died on Mount Nebo east of the Jordan (Deut 34:1-5).”

“the death: Jos 12:6. See on Deu 33:1, Deu 34:5; Act 13:36, Act 13:37; Rom 1:1; Tit 1:1; Jam 1:1; Rev 1:18 Joshua: Exo 17:9-13. See on Num 13:8, Num 13:16; Deu 1:38, Deu 31:3, Deu 31:23, Deu 34:9; Act 7:45, Jesus Moses' minister: Exo 24:13; Num 11:28; Kg1 19:16; Kg2 3:11, Kg2 4:27-29, Kg2 5:25-27; Mat 20:26, Mat 20:27; Luk 16:10 Joshua 1:2”

“The imperfect with vav consec., the standing mode of expressing a continued action or train of thought, "simply attaches itself by the conjunction 'and' to a completed action, which has either been mentioned before, or is supposed to be well known" (Ewald, 231, b.). "After the death of Moses," i.e., after the expiration of the thirty days of general mourning for him (vid., Deu 34:8). "Servant of Jehovah" is a standing epithet applied to Moses as an honourable title, and founded upon Num 12:7-8 (vid., Deu 34:5; Kg1 8:56; Kg2 18:12; Psa 105:26, etc.). On "Joshua, Moses' minister," see at Exo 17:9 and Num 13:16.…”