Joshua 1:10-11
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Joshua doesn't just issue a general announcement; he first commissions specific "officers," whose roles involved writing, overseeing, and leading, to ensure his instructions were accurately relayed and carried out. This highlights how crucial it was for God's commands to be filtered through trusted human leadership to reach the entire community.
And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh from receiving God's powerful reassurance, Joshua immediately turns to the task of leading the people. He commands the officers, who are essentially the leaders and administrators under him, to relay the urgent message: prepare to cross the Jordan River within three days to claim the promised land. This sets the stage for the critical moment of their invasion and the subsequent fulfilling of God's long-held promise.
Joshua steps into an immense leadership role. But who does he talk to first, and what does that tell us about how God's commands flow?
Joshua doesn't bypass the established structure. He first addresses the 'officers of the people' – leaders like captains, scribes, or magistrates within the tribes. This highlights a crucial principle: God often works through human authority and established systems. Joshua, newly appointed, isn't skipping steps; he's activating the chain of command.
Three days. That's all the time the Israelites have to get ready to cross the mighty Jordan River. How could they possibly be ready for such a monumental, seemingly impossible task?
Joshua's command is specific: 'Prepare provisions, for within three days you shall pass over this Jordan to go in to possess the land.' This wasn't just a casual suggestion; it was an order for immediate action.
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Understand the original words
kun · Hebrew Verb
To make ready or arrange in advance; in a biblical context, it often implies spiritual readiness or physical preparation for an act of obedience or divine encounter.
tseydah · Hebrew Noun
A general term for supplies, especially food, needed for a journey; figuratively, it relates to the resources God provides for His people to sustain them in their calling.
yarash · Hebrew Verb
To occupy, inherit, or take hold of as a permanent holding; it signifies taking ownership of what God has graciously granted as an inheritance.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the Almighty God of Israel, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses and is faithful to His promises.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Dies
After leading the Israelites for forty years, Moses dies on Mount Nebo after receiving a final view of the Promised Land. This marks the end of an era and the transition of leadership.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua Appointed Leader
God directly commissions Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites, commanding him to lead them across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This divine appointment sets the stage for Joshua's new role.
c. 1406 BC
Spies Sent to Jericho
Joshua sends two spies into the land, specifically to Jericho, to scout the territory and gather intelligence on its defenses and inhabitants. Their successful return is crucial for planning the invasion.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Joshua Commands the People
Following God's encouragement and the spies' successful reconnaissance, Joshua issues direct orders to the people and their officers, preparing them for the imminent crossing of the Jordan River and the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1406 BC
The Jordan River is Crossed
Under Joshua's leadership and through a miraculous intervention by God, the Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground, entering the Promised Land and beginning the military campaign to dispossess its inhabitants.
c. 1406 BC
The Fall of Jericho
The Israelites march around Jericho for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls of the city miraculously collapse after the priests blow trumpets and the people shout. This is the first major victory in the conquest.
This passage describes a three-day preparation and sanctification period before God's monumental revelation at Sinai, mirroring the three-day notice given by Joshua before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter their promised land.
Numbers 32:20-27This passage details the agreement where the Reubenites and Gadites pledged to fight with their brethren before possessing their own land, directly informing Joshua's commands and the two-and-a-half tribes' response in Joshua 1.
Deuteronomy 1:15This verse highlights Moses appointing judges and officers over the people, establishing the role of 'officers' that Joshua would later command, showing continuity in leadership structure.
1 Corinthians 9:7Paul speaks about soldiers fighting at their own expense and the principle of cheerfully undertaking duties, which resonates with the obedient and willing spirit of the tribes answering Joshua's call to military service.
Hebrews 13:17This verse encourages believers to obey their leaders and submit to them, reflecting the people's ultimate allegiance to Joshua as God's appointed leader and their commitment to follow his commands.
calvinJoshua 1:10-18: "Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,"
Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days you shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God give you to possess it.
Transite per medium castrorum et praecipite populo, dicendo, Parate vobis annonam: quia post tres dies transibitis Jordanem hunc, ut intretis et possideatis terram, quam Jehova Deus vester dat vobis possi…
clarkeJoshua 1:10: "Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,"
Commanded the officers - שטרים shoterim. These were different from the שפטים shophetim, who were judges among the people, and whose business it was to determine in all civil cases. The shoterim have been supposed to be subordinate officers, whose business it was to see the decisions of the shophetim carried into effect. Calmet conjectures that the shoterim here may have been the heralds of the army like those so often me…
Joshua doesn't just issue a general announcement; he first commissions specific "officers," whose roles involved writing, overseeing, and leading, to ensure his instructions were accurately relayed and carried out. This highlights how crucial it was for God's commands to be filtered through trusted human leadership to reach the entire community.
Fresh from receiving God's powerful reassurance, Joshua immediately turns to the task of leading the people. He commands the officers, who are essentially the leaders and administrators under him, to relay the urgent message: prepare to cross the Jordan River within three days to claim the promised land. This sets the stage for the critical moment of their invasion and the subsequent fulfilling of God's long-held promise.
Fresh from receiving God's powerful reassurance, Joshua immediately turns to the task of leading the people. He commands the officers, who are essentially the leaders and administrators under him, to relay the urgent message: prepare to cross the Jordan River within three days to claim the promised land. This sets the stage for the critical moment of their invasion and the subsequent fulfilling of God's long-held promise.
"And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the…" — Joshua doesn't just issue a general announcement; he first commissions specific "officers," whose roles involved writing, overseeing, and leading, to ensure his instructions were accurately relayed a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
