The Meaning of Joshua 1:8 Explained

Joshua 1:8

KJV: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

YLT: the book of this law doth not depart out of thy mouth, and thou hast meditated in it by day and by night, so that thou dost observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then thou dost cause thy way to prosper, and then thou dost act wisely.

Darby: This book of the law shall not depart from thy mouth; and thou shalt meditate upon it day and night, that thou mayest take heed to do according to all that is written therein; for then shalt thou have good success in thy ways, and then shalt thou prosper.

ASV: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

This book  of the law  shall not depart  out of thy mouth;  but thou shalt meditate  therein day  and night,  that thou mayest observe  to do  according to all that is written  therein: for then thou shalt make  thy way  prosperous,  and then thou shalt have good success. 

What does Joshua 1:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Moses had left Israel a written document that the Israelites regarded as authoritative law, namely, the Mosaic Law. The Lord commanded Joshua to keep this Word in mind constantly so he would remember his responsibilities under God and find encouragement to keep them (cf. Psalm 1:2; Isaiah 59:21).
"The phrase "from your mouth" refers to the custom of muttering while studying or reflecting. The Hebrew word translated "meditate" (hagah) literally means "mutter." When one continually mutters God"s Word to himself, he is constantly thinking about it." [1]
". . . [2] does not mean theoretical speculation about the law, such as the Pharisees indulged in, but a practical study of the law, for the purpose of observing it in thought and action, or carrying it out with the heart, the mouth, and the hand. Such a mode of employing it would be sure to be followed by blessings." [3]
We should never view Bible study and memorization as ends in themselves. They are important methods of obtaining the end of being obedient to God"s Word. We cannot obey it unless we understand it and are consciously aware of it as we make decisions day by day.
"The higher any man is raised in office, the more need has he of an acquaintance with the sacred oracles, and the better will he be qualified by the study of them for the discharge of his arduous duties." [3]2

Context Summary

Joshua 1:1-9 - The New Leader's Commission
Joshua was a prince of the tribe of Ephraim, and was born in Egypt. After the Exodus he became captain of the host, Exodus 17:9. With Caleb he brought back a good report of the land of Canaan, Numbers 14:7. Having been found faithful in the smaller sphere, he was promoted to the wider one. As we have seen, one of Moses' closing acts was to give him a charge. He represents the Lord Jesus, in His risen glory, as the Captain and Leader of the Church.
The land of Canaan was Israel's by deed of gift; but Israel had to go up to possess it. Similarly God's grace is ours, but we must claim it by putting the foot of our faith on God's promises. Though Hittites-our old evil habits-revolt, if we meet them in the power of the Holy Spirit, they must yield. God is with us. Joshua 1:5 is the perquisite of all believers. See Hebrews 13:5-6. But note that the weapon of successful conflict is God's Word. It is our sword, Ephesians 6:17. See also Jeremiah 15:16. [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 1:8 mean?

Not shall depart Book of the Law this from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it for then you will make prosperous - your way then you will have good success
לֹֽא־ יָמ֡וּשׁ סֵפֶר֩ הַתּוֹרָ֨ה הַזֶּ֜ה מִפִּ֗יךָ וְהָגִ֤יתָ בּוֹ֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה לְמַ֙עַן֙ תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כְּכָל־ הַכָּת֖וּב בּ֑וֹ כִּי־ אָ֛ז תַּצְלִ֥יחַ אֶת־ דְּרָכֶ֖ךָ וְאָ֥ז תַּשְׂכִּֽיל

יָמ֡וּשׁ  shall  depart 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מוּשׁ  
Sense: to depart, remove.
סֵפֶר֩  Book 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: סֵפֶר 
Sense: book.
הַתּוֹרָ֨ה  of  the  Law 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: תֹּורָה  
Sense: law, direction, instruction.
הַזֶּ֜ה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
מִפִּ֗יךָ  from  your  mouth 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
וְהָגִ֤יתָ  but  you  shall  meditate 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: הָגָה  
Sense: to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak.
בּוֹ֙  in  it 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
יוֹמָ֣ם  day 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יׄומָם  
Sense: by day, in the daytime subst.
וָלַ֔יְלָה  and  night 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: לַיִל 
Sense: night.
לְמַ֙עַן֙  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: לְמַעַן 
Sense: purpose, intent prep.
תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר  you  may  observe 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת  to  do 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
כְּכָל־  according  to  all 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
הַכָּת֖וּב  that  is  written 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: כָּתַב  
Sense: to write, record, enrol.
בּ֑וֹ  in  it 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
תַּצְלִ֥יחַ  you  will  make  prosperous 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: צָלַח 
Sense: (Qal) to rush.
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.
דְּרָכֶ֖ךָ  your  way 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
תַּשְׂכִּֽיל  you  will  have  good  success 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׂכַל 
Sense: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.