Joshua, old and advanced in days, charges the elders of Israel: cleave to Hashem your God as you have done to this day; one man of you chases a thousand — take good heed therefore to love Hashem your God.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
And it came to pass after many days, when Hashem had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, and Joshua was old and well stricken in years;
verse value 2744
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 64 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֧ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "went·in" (בָּ֖א, 2 letters) and the longest is "from·all·enemies·their" (מִכׇּל־אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם, 9 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "from·days" (מִיָּמִ֣ים), "that·gave·rest" (אֲשֶׁר־הֵנִ֨יחַ). The root יום appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·gave·rest" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "and·it·was" (root היה, 150x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·around', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·it·was] (31) + מִיָּמִ֣ים [from·days] (140) + רַבִּ֔ים [many] (252) + אַ֠חֲרֵ֠י [after] (219) + אֲשֶׁר־הֵנִ֨יחַ [that·gave·rest] (574) + יְהֹוָ֧ה [Hashem] (26) + לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל [to·Israel] (571) + מִכׇּל־אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם [from·all·enemies·their] (158) + מִסָּבִ֑יב [from·around] (114) + וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ [and·Joshua] (397) + זָקֵ֔ן [old] (157) + בָּ֖א [went·in] (3) + בַּיָּמִֽים [in·the·days] (102) = 2744.
that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said to them: ‘I am old and well stricken in years.
verse value 4563
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 71 letters. Verse gematria: 4563 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "I" (אֲנִ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·Israel" (לְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "to·all·Israel" (לְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל), "to·his·elders" (לִזְקֵנָיו֙), "I·am·old" (זָקַ֔נְתִּי). The root זקן appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 140x in Joshua); "Joshua" (root יהושע, 125x in Joshua); "to·all·Israel" (root כל, 96x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·to·his·officers', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְרָ֤א [and·called] (317) + יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ [Joshua] (391) + לְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [to·all·Israel] (621) + לִזְקֵנָיו֙ [to·his·elders] (203) + וּלְרָאשָׁ֔יו [and·to·his·heads] (553) + וּלְשֹׁפְטָ֖יו [and·for·their·judges] (441) + וּלְשֹׁטְרָ֑יו [and·to·his·officers] (561) + וַיֹּ֣אמֶר [and·said] (257) + אֲלֵהֶ֔ם [to·them] (76) + אֲנִ֣י [I] (61) + זָקַ֔נְתִּי [I·am·old] (567) + בָּ֖אתִי [I·came] (413) + בַּיָּמִֽים [in·the·days] (102) = 4563.
Ralbag
And after this it is mentioned that Joshua called all Israel -- that is to say, their leaders. For it is far that he speak his words with all Israel. And these leaders he mentioned in order: he mentioned the elders first, and they are the Sanhedrin, according to what I think -- that there was the gathering of the sages there, and they are the leaders of all the people. And after this he mentioned the heads of the people, and they are the princes, each of whom is head of one tribe. And after this he mentioned the heads of the cities, city by city, and they are the judges and the officers. And he informed them what follows to them of good in following God, and what follows to them of evil in abandoning Him. And for this he warned them from intermarrying with the remaining nations at that time, so that they not learn from their deeds and come to transgress the covenant of the Lord and serve other gods. And he also warned them not to mention the name of their gods, nor cause them to swear by their name, nor serve them, nor bow to them -- as all these warnings came in the Torah. To inform them that if they do this, it will be a cause for their destruction from the good land that God gave them. And He commanded them to love the Lord and to cleave to Him, and to strengthen very much to keep and do according to all that is written, and not to turn from it to the right or to the left. And he called the right the addition to the words of the Torah, and the left the subtraction from it. For in this one turns from the ways of the Torah.
Malbim
“to its elders.” They are the Sanhedrin.
"And to their heads." The heads of the tribes:
"And to their judges and to their officers." Who are in every single city:
And He said to them. The content of the discourse was that after Joshua saw that many nations remained dwelling in the land, whom he had not dispossessed, there are two possibilities: either that Israel will make a covenant with them and intermarry with them until they become like one nation, and thereby the hostility will be removed; or that they will wage war against them until they dispossess them, for otherwise it would not be possible for them to dwell in the land in peace. And he feared that after his death, Israel would be afraid to provoke them to war and would choose the first option. Therefore, he came to warn them regarding this with good reason and understanding. And this is what he said: "I have grown old," and I can no longer go out to war. Nevertheless, it was not I who conquered by my strength, for:
And you have seen all that Hashem your God has done to all these nations because of you; for Hashem your God, He it is that has fought for you.
verse value 3379
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 70 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֧ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֚י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·all·the·nations" (לְכׇל־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 106: your·God, your·God. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "you·have·seen" (רְאִיתֶ֗ם), "to·all·the·nations" (לְכׇל־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "all·that" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "from·your·face" (root פנים, 91x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·your·face', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 6 words.
Metzudat David
"These nations. Which you have already conquered:"
Metzudat Zion
לָכֶם (lakhem, for you). For your sake.
Malbim
"And you saw all that the Lord your God did to all the nations. Great signs and wonders, and by this you have verified well that it was not my hands that made for you this might, but rather the Lord your God is the One who fights for you, and He is the Eternal One who does not die, and therefore:"
Behold, I have allotted to you for an inheritance, according to your tribes, these nations that remain, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun.
verse value 4858
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 81 letters. The shortest word is "see" (רְאוּ֩, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·the·nations" (וְכׇל־הַגּוֹיִם֙, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "I·have·allotted" (הִפַּ֨לְתִּי), "and·all·the·nations" (וְכׇל־הַגּוֹיִם֙), "I·have·cut·off" (הִכְרַ֔תִּי). The root גוי appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "from·Jordan" (root ירדן, 70x in Joshua); "setting·of" (root בוא, 58x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'your·tribes', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 8 words.
Rashi
Behold, I have divided. By lot for inheritance.
"The remaining [nations]." [Meaning, remaining] to be conquered.
Radak
"And the Great Sea." Explanation: "And up to the Great Sea," as it is written: "And to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your border."
Metzudat David
"I have allotted," etc. This means: I have cast the lot for them, etc.
The remaining ones, which you have not yet conquered:
"In an inheritance." To divide the inheritance among the tribes:
"From the Jordan." Those who dwell "from the Jordan and beyond" are those situated to the west of it.
"And all the nations, etc." – These too I allotted to you by lot.
"And the sea." This is dependent on "from the Jordan," to say: From the Jordan to the Great Sea that lies at the setting of the sun.
Metzudat Zion
מָבוֹא (mavo, the setting). A matter of sunset, like (Genesis 28:11) for the sun had set.
Malbim
The questions (4): In this passage, several matters appear duplicated and disordered according to the interpretation of the commentators, and the grammatical details will be known from the explanation.
"See, I have allotted it for you." What was dependent upon Me, namely the allotting of the inheritance so that each one may recognize his portion (as it is stated above, "And you shall allot as an inheritance" [above, ch. 1], and it is stated [above 13:6], "I will drive them out from before the children of Israel; only allot it as an inheritance"), I have already done. And he explains that I have allotted the inheritance: A) From the Jordan and all the nations whom I have destroyed, which are those dwelling in the southeast by the Jordan, which he conquered during his lifetime. B) And the Great Sea, etc., which he did not conquer (as stated above in 13).
And Hashem your God, He shall thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and you shall possess their land, as Hashem your God spoke to you.
verse value 4404
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 73 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "He" (ה֚וּא, 3 letters) and the longest is "from·before·you" (מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 106: your·God, your·God. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "will·thrust·them" (יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣ם), "and·he·shall·dispossess" (וְהוֹרִ֥ישׁ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "as" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "and·Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "land" (root ארץ, 95x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·before·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 7 words.
Radak
Yehadpem. With a chataf qamats under the dalet:
Metzudat David
"He will thrust them out." [Refers to] those who remain:
Metzudat Zion
Yehadpem. The matter is one of pushing and striking, as it is written (Psalms 1:4), "The wind drives it away."
And he shall dispossess. He shall expel:
Malbim
"And the Lord your God, etc." The meaning is: after I have allotted it as an inheritance, only the conquest remains lacking. Is it not so that even after my death, your God lives, and He will thrust them out, etc., as He spoke to you? And He said, "He will thrust them out," referring to the nations that he has already conquered, some of whom have vacated their land, such as the Girgashites; and "He will thrust them out" means that they will not return again. And He said, "and drive them out," referring to those that he has not yet conquered. However, this requires the condition that you observe the Torah, and this is what He says:
Therefore be you very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
verse value 5932
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 61 letters. The shortest word is "very" (מְאֹ֔ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·the·written" (כׇּל־הַכָּת֔וּב, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·you·will·strengthen" (וַחֲזַקְתֶּ֣ם), "and·to·do" (וְלַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת), "all·the·written" (כׇּל־הַכָּת֔וּב). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·to·do" (root עשה, 59x in Joshua); "Moses" (root משה, 53x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Moses', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 4 words.
Metzudat David
"Right and left." This is a matter of figurative expression, borrowed from one who walks a straight path, who should not turn from it, either to the right or to the left.
Malbim
"And you shall be most resolute to observe." [Refers] to negative commandments.
"And to do." A positive commandment, etc., and it is the very same commandment that the Lord commanded Joshua (above, ch. 1) as a condition of the conquest; and now, since you are about to go to war, this commandment is incumbent upon you.
that you come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor worship them;
verse value 5414
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 79 letters. The shortest word is "and·not" (וְלֹ֣א, 3 letters) and the longest is "not·you·shall·mention" (לֹֽא־תַזְכִּ֙ירוּ֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 41: these, these. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "not·to·enter" (לְבִלְתִּי־בֹא֙), "among·the·nations" (בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם), "and·in·the·name·of" (וּבְשֵׁ֨ם). The root לא appears 3 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "their·God" (root אלהים, 70x in Joshua); "to·them" (root הם, 63x in Joshua); "these" (root אלה, 51x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 10 words.
Radak
"And you shall not make him swear." Explanation: One person making his fellow swear.
Metzudat David
“Lest you come among the nations.” This means: Do not join their company and become like them.
"And you shall not make [anyone] swear." This means: [cause] another [person to swear by them].
Malbim
"Levilti" ["So as not to"]. And in that you shall guard the words of the Torah, you will necessarily guard against coming and intermarrying with the nations "these" who remain, concerning whom the Torah warned. And the doubling of the word "these" [ha'eleh] refers to those who were conquered and those who remained and were not conquered, as stated above (verses 4–5). Therefore it says (verse 12), "the rest of these nations that remain," for it is explained among us the difference between "yeter" and "she'ar": "yeter" is what remains by chance, referring to the nations that were conquered, for what remained of them was by chance; and "she'ar" is what remains by intention, and this refers to those who were not conquered, whom the Lord left intentionally to test Israel with them (as stated in Judges 3:1).
"And by name": This means that by not intermarrying with them, you will not come to more severe prohibitions, such as mentioning the name of their gods; and more severe than that is swearing by their names; and more severe than that is serving them; and more severe than that is worshipping them, which is one of the four rites of service to idols for which one is liable to death. The essence of his statement is that from a negative commandment you may infer a positive one: namely, if they were to intermarry with them, they would first mention the name of their gods, then swear by them, then serve them, and finally worship them.
but cleave to Hashem your God, as you have done to this day;
verse value 2210
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 38 letters. Verse gematria: 2210 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֛י, 2 letters) and the longest is "if·in·Hashem" (אִם־בַּיהֹוָ֥ה, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "if·in·Hashem" (אִם־בַּיהֹוָ֥ה), "you·will·cling" (תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "as" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "if·in·Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "day" (root יום, 79x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you·will·cling', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: כִּ֛י [for] (30) + אִם־בַּיהֹוָ֥ה [if·in·Hashem] (69) + אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם [your·God] (106) + תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ [you·will·cling] (512) + כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר [as] (521) + עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם [you·have·done] (820) + עַ֖ד [until] (74) + הַיּ֥וֹם [day] (61) + הַזֶּֽה [this] (17) = 2210.
Malbim
Questions (8–10): Regarding the commentator's interpretation that the word "ki im" means "only," it would be difficult to explain what is stated, "And the LORD drove out," etc., since it has no connection with the preceding text; and likewise, what is stated, "One man will pursue a thousand," since it has no connection with the statement? And likewise, according to the opinion of the commentator who interprets the verb "yirdef" as a future tense used in place of a past tense?
“Ki.” Now he begins to explain the benefit and the harm that will befall them from the two aforementioned manners, lest they say to their hearts, “Why should we endure warfare all day? Is it not better that we make a covenant with them?” He says: Know that if you cling to the Lord your God (the word “if” denotes a condition)—if you cling to the Lord as you have done until this day, that you clung to Him (and did you not see with your own eyes the benefit He brought by driving out before you great and mighty nations, etc.)—then, if you cling to Him, so shall it be in the future: one of you will pursue a thousand, for the Lord your God is the one who fights for you. And this is the benefit that will come to you if you cling to the Lord (which includes not intermarrying with the nations that the Lord commanded [you not to]).
wherefore Hashem has driven out from before you great nations and mighty; but as for you, no man has stood against you to this day.
verse value 2453
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 58 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "until" (עַ֖ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "mighty" (וַעֲצוּמִ֑ים, 7 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·he·dispossessed" (וַיּ֤וֹרֶשׁ), "nations" (גּוֹיִ֖ם), "great" (גְּדֹלִ֣ים). The root פנים appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "from·your·face" (root פנים, 91x in Joshua); "day" (root יום, 79x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'mighty', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 7 words. Full calculation: וַיּ֤וֹרֶשׁ [and·he·dispossessed] (522) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם [from·your·face] (240) + גּוֹיִ֖ם [nations] (59) + גְּדֹלִ֣ים [great] (87) + וַעֲצוּמִ֑ים [mighty] (262) + וְאַתֶּ֗ם [and·you] (447) + לֹא־עָ֤מַד [not·stood] (145) + אִישׁ֙ [man] (311) + בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔ם [before·you] (202) + עַ֖ד [until] (74) + הַיּ֥וֹם [day] (61) + הַזֶּֽה [this] (17) = 2453.
Metzudat David
"And He drove out." And because of this, the Lord drove out, etc.:
"And you." This means: "And you, did you not see that he did not stand, etc.?"
One man of you has chased a thousand; for Hashem your God, He it is that fought for you, as He spoke to you.
verse value 2043
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 49 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "shall·chase·a·thousand" (יִרְדׇּף־אָ֑לֶף, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 90: to·you, to·you. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "shall·chase·a·thousand" (יִרְדׇּף־אָ֑לֶף). The root לכם appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "as" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "He" (root הוא, 77x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'shall·chase·a·thousand', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 9 words. Full calculation: אִישׁ־אֶחָ֥ד [one·man] (324) + מִכֶּ֖ם [from·you] (100) + יִרְדׇּף־אָ֑לֶף [shall·chase·a·thousand] (405) + כִּ֣י [for] (30) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם [your·God] (106) + ה֚וּא [He] (12) + הַנִּלְחָ֣ם [who·fights] (133) + לָכֶ֔ם [to·you] (90) + כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר [as] (521) + דִּבֶּ֥ר [He·spoke] (206) + לָכֶֽם [to·you] (90) = 2043.
Radak
"He shall pursue a thousand." The future tense is used in place of the past tense, and there are many similar cases.
Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that you love Hashem your God.
verse value 2587
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 35 letters. Verse gematria: 2587 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "very" (מְאֹ֖ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·your·souls" (לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·you·shall·be·careful" (וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם), "to·your·souls" (לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "your·God" (root אלהים, 70x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·your·souls', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם [and·you·shall·be·careful] (1036) + מְאֹ֖ד [very] (45) + לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם [to·your·souls] (930) + לְאַהֲבָ֖ה [to·love] (43) + אֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה [Hashem] (427) + אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם [your·God] (106) = 2587.
Metzudat David
For your souls. On account of the preservation of your souls:
Malbim
"And you shall keep." Now he explains the harm: you must guard yourselves very much from the danger that will befall you in the second manner, and thereby you will guard [yourself] in order to love the Lord, for the definition of complete love is to hate those who hate His beloved, as it is stated (Psalms 139:21): "Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord?"
Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave to the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you;
verse value 5435
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 71 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·you·shall·intermarry" (וְהִֽתְחַתַּנְתֶּ֥ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 47: in·them, in·them. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "if·to·return" (אִם־שׁ֣וֹב), "turn" (תָּשׁ֗וּבוּ), "and·you·will·cling" (וּדְבַקְתֶּם֙). The root הם appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 70x in Joshua); "in·them" (root הם, 63x in Joshua); "and·you·shall·enter" (root בוא, 58x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 6 words.
Metzudat David
“Return.” From following the Lord, and you shall come to them to take from their daughters:
Metzudat Zion
וְהִתְחַתַּנְתֶּם (ve-hitchatantem, and you intermarry). From the word marriage.
Malbim
"Only if you return, you shall return." [I.e., you turn back] from love of Him.
"And you shall cleave to the other nations." This is impossible as long as they love the Lord (double evil will befall you: a) from the side of nature, b) from the side of Divine providence. And he first explains the natural evil):
know for a certainty that Hashem your God will no more drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, and a scourge in your sides, and pricks in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which Hashem your God has given you.
verse value 5970
Insights
Verse structure: 29 words, 135 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּי֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·nations" (אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 166: will·He·add, in·your·sides. 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "surely" (יָד֙וֹעַ֙), "you·shall·know" (תֵּֽדְע֔וּ), "will·He·add" (יוֹסִ֜יף). The root ידע appears 2 times in this verse. 25 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "and·they·shall·be" (root היה, 150x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·before·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 18 words.
Rashi
"And a scourge in your sides." They shall roam about to plunder and pillage around you.
"And thorns in your eyes." An expression of encampments [surrounding you]. And so too (Ezekiel 23:24): 'and hotzen shall come against you' — like this 'tzinah' (shield) that surrounds a person from three sides, as it is said (Psalms 5:13): 'You surround him with favor like a shield (tzinah)' — [meaning] You encircle him — as (I Samuel 23:26): 'and Saul and his men were surrounding (otrim) David and his men' — otrim means surrounding.
Radak
"And to wander about." Like "to wander" [ולשוט], from [the noun] "שוט" (a whip), as in "a whip for a horse" [Proverbs 26:3].
Metzudat David
"And they shall be for you." These nations:
"And a scourge." He means to say: they will cause you pain like the stroke of a whip, and like a thorn that pierces the eye.
Metzudat Zion
For a snare. For a net:
And to a trap. To a stumbling block:
“ולשוטט” – The term “shevet” (rod) has the meaning of a whip, as in (Proverbs 26:3) “A whip for the horse,” and the last root letter [termed the “lamed” of the root] is doubled.
“and for thorns.” The meaning is thorns; similarly, (Numbers 32:55) “thorns in your sides.”
Malbim
"You shall know and understand." This means: Do you not know for yourselves that the Lord will no longer drive them out? And by this you shall know that they will be for you a snare and a trap, in matters of religion and faith.
"And a scourge in your sides." When an enemy comes upon you from the side, they will then be against you.
"And thorns in your eyes." Even in times of peace, they will peck at your eyes with jealousy, hatred, and enmity.
"Until your destruction." According to the natural course of events, for it is impossible that there be among you perfect love and a true covenant.
And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth; consider you therefore in all your heart and in all your soul, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which Hashem your God spoke concerning you; all are come to pass to you, not one thing has failed thereof.
verse value 4637
Insights
Verse structure: 28 words, 122 letters. Notable word values: "one" (אֶחָ֜ד) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·in·all·soul·your" (וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 206: word, spoke, word. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "and·you·shall·know" (וִידַעְתֶּ֞ם), "the·good" (הַטּוֹבִ֗ים). The root דבר appears 4 times in this verse. 22 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "from·all" (root כל, 96x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'all·the·earth', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 22 words.
Radak
"And you shall know in all your heart and in all your soul." That is to say: direct your heart and your understanding to all the good things that have come upon you, for it is impossible that they be mere chance occurrences; rather, they are according to the intention of One who purposed, who appointed you with all this good, and not a single word of all that He spoke has fallen to the ground. You are thereby able to recognize that everything has come to you from Him.
Metzudat David
"In the way of all the earth." In the manner in which all creatures walk, and he meant to say: behold, I shall die like all human beings, and I shall not see all that will befall you in the future.
“And you shall know...” – This means: Now, know and understand with all your heart and with all your soul the events that have occurred, for verily not a single word has fallen from among the good things that the Lord has spoken.
Malbim
And behold. Now he explains the providential evil that will befall them, for the Lord will punish them for this; and He precedes this with proof from the good promises that have been fulfilled. And this is what He says: "Behold, I am going the way of all the earth." And despite all this, you shall be under the watchful eye of the Lord, both for good and for evil, for the promises of the Lord will not be annulled with my death. And now, take proof from the good promises that have already been fulfilled, regarding the evil ones. And this is what He says: "Do you not know today, with all your heart, that not one thing has fallen short of all the good things." (And he repeated it to say: 1) "They have all come to you; not one thing has been lacking." 2) "Not one thing has fallen short of it," meaning that every good thing came in all its details, not partially; that is to say, they all came in their number, and each one came in its quality.)
And it shall come to pass, that as all the good things are come upon you of which Hashem your God spoke to you, so shall Hashem bring upon you all the evil things, until He have destroyed you from off this good land which Hashem your God has given you.
verse value 5933
Insights
Verse structure: 28 words, 121 letters. Notable word values: "and·it·shall·be" (וְהָיָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "so" (כֵּן֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "until·He·destroys" (עַד־הַשְׁמִיד֣וֹ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "when·he·came" (כַּאֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤א), "he·shall·bring" (יָבִ֨יא), "the·evil" (הָרָ֔ע). The root אשר appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "when·he·came" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "and·it·shall·be" (root היה, 150x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 18 words.
Radak
“Until He has destroyed you.” The aleph is written with a cholam. And similarly: “And He created them,” “They will judge them.”
Metzudat David
"And it shall be..." Just as every good thing was so, so too will every evil thing be.
Malbim
"And it shall be. And from this you shall understand that just as all good things have come upon you, so too will He bring upon you all evil things when you transgress the covenant of the Lord. For then, even though according to nature it would have been fitting for you to endure, nevertheless the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you to punish you through His providential oversight."
"And you shall perish quickly." By the hand of the Lord and His punishment, which is not bound to time and nature and their circumstances. Therefore, in contrast to what He initially said, "until your destruction," meaning from the aspect of nature over the course of time, He added here: a) "until He has destroyed you," with providential destruction and annihilation; b) "and you shall perish quickly." And He also informed us of the difference between the bringing of good and the bringing of evil, for good—when the Lord declares it—He speaks it decisively, in such a way that His speech is the completion of the matter, and good comes of its own accord, for the Lord said, and it was. Not so is His decree concerning evil: it is not in a way of decision, but rather in a way of condition, dependent on whether they do not return from their deeds, and then He must bring it into actuality, for it does not come of its own accord. And regarding this it says: "As the good thing came upon you (of its own accord), so shall the Lord bring upon you every evil thing," for it will not come of its own accord.
When you transgress the covenant of Hashem your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them; then shall the anger of Hashem be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which He has given to you.’
verse value 7805
Insights
Verse structure: 24 words, 110 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·you·shall·bow·down" (וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, and·you·shall·walk, that. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Joshua. Unique to this verse in Joshua (hapax): "when·you·cross" (בְּ֠עׇבְרְכֶ֠ם), "and·you·shall·bow·down" (וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם), "and·shall·blaze" (וְחָרָ֤ה). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 271x in Joshua); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 217x in Joshua); "earth" (root ארץ, 95x in Joshua). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 11 words.
Metzudat David
"When you transgress." When you transgress the covenant of the Lord, etc.:
Metzudat David