The Meaning of Joshua 1:18 Explained

Joshua 1:18

KJV: Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

YLT: Any man who doth provoke thy mouth, and doth not hear thy words, in all that thou dost command him, is put to death; only, be strong and courageous.'

Darby: Every one that is rebellious against thy commandment and hearkeneth not to thy words in everything that thou commandest us, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.

ASV: Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Whosoever  [he be] that doth rebel  against thy commandment,  and will not hearken  unto thy words  in all that thou commandest  him, he shall be put to death:  only be strong  and of a good courage. 

What does Joshua 1:18 Mean?

Context Summary

Joshua 1:10-18 - Provisioned And United For Conquest
It was enough that God had spoken and promised. Nothing more was necessary. Joshua took immediate steps, dictated by sanctified common-sense, to prepare the people for the great step in advance to which God was calling them. We are not to throw away prudent foresight when we go forth on God's errands. Faith does not supersede precaution and preparation, where these are possible; although she does not rely on them, but on the living God.
When Joshua addressed the two tribes and a half, there was no faltering in his tone. He was absolutely certain that God would fulfill His promise, Joshua 1:15. This inspired the people with similar courage. It was very helpful to have the reassurance of those who were least likely to be enthusiastic, since the campaign must sever them from their families. God often speaks to us through the lips of others. Can we utter Joshua 1:16 to our Lord? [source]

Chapter Summary: Joshua 1

1  The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses
3  The borders of the promised land
5  God promises to assist Joshua
8  He gives him instructions
10  Joshua prepares the people to pass over Jordan
12  He puts the two tribes and a half in mind of their promise to Moses
16  They promise him allegiance

What do the individual words in Joshua 1:18 mean?

All whoever Whoever rebels - against your command and not does heed your words in all that you command him shall be put to death only be strong and of good courage -
כָּל־ אִ֞ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־ יַמְרֶ֣ה אֶת־ פִּ֗יךָ וְלֹֽא־ יִשְׁמַ֧ע דְּבָרֶ֛יךָ לְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־ תְּצַוֶּ֖נּוּ יוּמָ֑ת רַ֖ק חֲזַ֥ק וֶאֱמָֽץ פ

אִ֞ישׁ  whoever 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
אֲשֶׁר־  Whoever 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יַמְרֶ֣ה  rebels 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָרָה  
Sense: to be contentious, be rebellious, be refractory, be disobedient towards, be rebellious against.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
פִּ֗יךָ  against  your  command 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
וְלֹֽא־  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יִשְׁמַ֧ע  does  heed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
דְּבָרֶ֛יךָ  your  words 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
לְכֹ֥ל  in  all 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
אֲשֶׁר־  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
תְּצַוֶּ֖נּוּ  you  command  him 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
יוּמָ֑ת  shall  be  put  to  death 
Parse: Verb, Hofal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
רַ֖ק  only 
Parse: Adverb
Root: רַק  
Sense: only, altogether, surely.
חֲזַ֥ק  be  strong 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
וֶאֱמָֽץ  and  of  good  courage 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: אָמֵץ  
Sense: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation