Joshua 1

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun…” Naming Moses and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I…” Naming Israel and Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,” Naming Gadites and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will…” Naming All and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee…” Naming Moses and According keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.