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Joshua 23:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 23:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and ye have seen all that Jehovah your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for Jehovah your God, he it is that hath fought for you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and ye have seen all that Jehovah your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for Jehovah your God, he it is that hath fought for you.
Joshua 23:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass after many days, when Jehovah had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, and Joshua was old and well stricken in years;
2that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and well stricken in years:
3and ye have seen all that Jehovah your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for Jehovah your God, he it is that hath fought for you.
4Behold, I have allotted unto you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun.
5And Jehovah your God, he will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as Jehovah your God spake unto you.
6Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
← Joshua 23:2Joshua 23:4 →
← Full Chapter 23 Joshua Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all those nations because of you, etc.] How he had destroyed them, and driven them out of their habitations to make room for them, meaning the seven nations of the Canaanites: for the Lord your God [is] he that hath fought for you; Joshua does not attribute any of the things that were done to his own valour, nor theirs, nor so much as mentions himself or them as instruments, but wholly ascribes all to the Lord, who fought their battles for them, and conquered their enemies, and subdued them under them; the Targum is, “the Word of the Lord fought for you;” the Captain of the host of the Lord, (<060514>Joshua 5:14,15).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“BY FORMER BENEFITS. (Jos 23:3) ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you--The modesty and humility of Joshua are remarkably displayed at the commencement of this address. Dismissing all thoughts of his personal services, he ascribed the subjugation and occupation of Canaan entirely to the favoring presence and aid of God; and in doing so, he spoke not more piously than truly. This had been promised (Deu 1:30; Deu 3:22); and the reality of the divine aid was seen in the rapid overthrow of the Canaanites, which had already led to the division of the whole land among the tribes [Jos 23:4].”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because of you - For your good, that you might gain by their losses. Joshua 23:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“And ye: Deu 4:9; Psa 44:1, Psa 44:2; Mal 1:5 for the: Jos 10:14, Jos 10:42; Exo 14:14; Deu 20:4; Psa 44:3 Joshua 23:4”
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Related study paths

Read Joshua 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification