A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that "rest" from enemies wasn't just a lack of war, but a deliberate gift from God that allowed Israel to settle and establish themselves. It sets the stage for Joshua's final, crucial exhortations to ensure that this hard-won peace would lead to faithfulness, not complacency.
A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years,
English Standard Version (ESV)
With the Promised Land secured and settled for about fourteen years, the elderly Joshua, feeling his end approaching, calls a solemn assembly of Israel's leaders. This gathering marks a pivotal moment as he prepares to deliver his final counsel, reflecting on God's faithfulness in granting them rest and reminding them of their responsibilities before his imminent death.
Imagine a lifetime of struggle and constant danger. Then, suddenly, peace. What does that kind of rest, gifted by God, feel like?
Joshua begins this chapter with a profound sense of divine accomplishment and peaceful settlement. 'A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies...' This wasn't just a lull in the fighting; it was a full stop, a complete cessation of hostilities that had plagued them for generations. It's a reminder that God's deliverance brings not just survival, but deep, abiding peace. This rest is a direct result of God's faithfulness in driving out their enemies, a testament to His power and His promises fulfilled. It’s the reward of obedience and the fruit of His intervention.
What happens when a seasoned warrior and leader, knowing his time is short, gathers everyone for one last, crucial message?
Joshua, now 'old and well advanced in years,' understands his time on earth is drawing to a close. This isn't just a casual meeting; it's the culmination of a life spent leading God's people. The scholars note his 'pious solicitude' – a deep concern for the spiritual welfare of Israel that extends beyond his own lifetime. He's not just passing the torch; he's delivering a legacy of wisdom, urging them to remember God's faithfulness and the conditions of their ongoing prosperity. His age lends gravity and authority to his words, making this a moment of utmost importance for the future of Israel.
Understand the original words
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Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the covenant God of Israel, the self-existent One who enters into a personal, saving relationship with His people and keeps His promises.
nuwach · Hebrew Noun
The state of security, peace, or cessation of conflict granted by God to His people, often as a result of His faithfulness in victory.
This moment occurs after a significant period of peace secured by God, highlighting the critical juncture where Israel's faithfulness—or lack thereof—will determine their future prosperity and relationship with the Lord.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites waged war to conquer the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land
The land of Canaan was systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel, establishing their inheritance.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Rest from Surrounding Enemies
Following the conquest and division, the Lord granted Israel a period of relative peace and security from their surrounding foes.
c. 1386 BC
Joshua's Old Age and Final Address
As Joshua neared the end of his life, he gathered the leaders of Israel to give a final charge, urging them to remain faithful to God's covenant.
This passage mirrors Joshua's situation by detailing God's promise to bring Israel to rest from their enemies after crossing the Jordan, emphasizing the future security that Joshua is now experiencing and reflecting upon.
Judges 2:7This verse speaks to the generation that succeeded Joshua, noting that they served the LORD all their days, highlighting the continuation of faithfulness that Joshua was trying to instill in his final address.
Psalm 37:3-4This psalm encourages trust in the LORD and delighting in Him, which directly parallels Joshua's exhortation to his people to cleave to the LORD and obey His law as the key to their continued prosperity and rest in the land.
1 Corinthians 10:13This New Testament passage reassures believers that God will not allow them to be tempted beyond what they can bear, which connects to the theme of God's faithfulness in providing rest and strength to Israel, as Joshua is reminding them of God's past actions.
wesleyJoshua 23:1: "And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age."
23:1 A long time - About fourteen years after it.
calvinJoshua 23:1-11: "And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age."
Jehova autem Deus vester ipse propulsabiteas a facie vestra, et expellet eas a conspectu vestro, et jure haereditario possidebitis [188] terram earum, quemadmodum loquutus est Jehova Deus vester vobis.
Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you t…
This verse highlights that "rest" from enemies wasn't just a lack of war, but a deliberate gift from God that allowed Israel to settle and establish themselves. It sets the stage for Joshua's final, crucial exhortations to ensure that this hard-won peace would lead to faithfulness, not complacency.
With the Promised Land secured and settled for about fourteen years, the elderly Joshua, feeling his end approaching, calls a solemn assembly of Israel's leaders. This gathering marks a pivotal moment as he prepares to deliver his final counsel, reflecting on God's faithfulness in granting them rest and reminding them of their responsibilities before his imminent death.
With the Promised Land secured and settled for about fourteen years, the elderly Joshua, feeling his end approaching, calls a solemn assembly of Israel's leaders. This gathering marks a pivotal moment as he prepares to deliver his final counsel, reflecting on God's faithfulness in granting them rest and reminding them of their responsibilities before his imminent death.
"A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years," — This verse highlights that "rest" from enemies wasn't just a lack of war, but a deliberate gift from God that allowed Israel to settle and establish themselves. It sets the stage for Joshua's final,…
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Last reviewed October 2026