Joshua – Chapter 23

Old Testament16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Joshua 23 opens with the words: "And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued. and Joshua being…" The chapter centers on Joshua and Moses. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: God's covenant promises and courage in the face of fear. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued. and Joshua being now old, and far advanced in years:

2Joshua called for all Israel, and for the elders, and for the princes, and for the judges, and for the masters, and said to them: I am old, and far advanced in years,

3And you see all that the Lord your God hath done to all the nations round about, how he himself hath fought for you:

4And now since he hath divided to you by lot all the land, from the east of the Jordan unto the great sea, ant many nations yet remain:

5The Lord your God will destroy them, and take them away from before your face, and you shall possess the land as he hath promised you.

6Only take courage, and be careful to observe all things that are written in the book of the law of Moses: and turn not aside from them neither to the right hand nor to the left:

7Lest after that you are come in among the Gentiles, who will remain among you, you should swear by the name of their gods, and serve them, and adore them:

8But cleave ye unto the Lord your God, as you have done until this day.

9And then the Lord God will take away before your eyes nations that are great and very strong, and no man shall be able to resist you.

10One of you shall chase a thousand men of the enemies: because the Lord your God himself will fight for you, as he hath promised.

11This only take care of with all diligence, that you love the Lord your God.

12But if you will embrace the errors of these nations that dwell among you, and make marriages with them, and join friendships:

13Know ye for a certainty that the Lord your God will not destroy them before your face, but they shall be a pit and a snare in your way, and a stumbling-block at your side, and stakes in your eyes, till he take you away and destroy you from off this excellent land, which he hath given you.

14Behold this day I am going into the way of all the earth, and you shall know with all your mind that of all the words which the Lord promised to perform for you, not one hath failed,

15Therefore as he hath fulfilled in deed, what he promised, and all things prosperous have come: so will he bring upon you all the evils he hath threatened, till he take you away and destroy you from off this excellent land, which he hath given you,

16When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served strange gods, and adored them: then shall the indignation of the Lord rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you shall be taken away from this excellent land, which he hath delivered to you.

Important Verses in Joshua 23

And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued. and Joshua being now old, and far advanced in years:

Joshua 23:1

The Lord your God will destroy them, and take them away from before your face, and you shall possess the land as he hath promised you.

Joshua 23:5

This only take care of with all diligence, that you love the Lord your God.

Joshua 23:11

When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served strange gods, and adored them: then shall the indignation of the Lord rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you shall be taken away from this excellent land, which he hath delivered to you.

Joshua 23:16

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Joshua was written with israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises in view. Chapter 23 of 24 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Joshua and Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being…" The chapter ends with: "When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served…" The wider setting of Joshua is this: Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Joshua around Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 16-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued. and Joshua being now old, and far…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's covenant promises.

Catholic exegesis reads Joshua 23 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 436).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God fulfills His promises. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Joshua 23 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Joshua2 mentionsMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Joshua Chapter 23, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Joshua Chapter 23 supports that call by drawing attention to purity of heart and interior conversion within the wider message that God fulfills His promises.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 958).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 23 about?

Joshua 23 contains 16 verses. It opens with "And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being…" and closes with "When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 23?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued. and Joshua being now old, and far advanced in years: " It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 23?

This chapter mentions Joshua, Moses.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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