Read Joshua 1 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions:
1:1-9 {p} Be strong and of good courage
1:10-11 {p} In three days you are crossing over to possess the land
1:12-18 {p} Charge to Reuben, Gad, half Manasseh
Joshua 1:1-18 Chiastic Structure:
A Repeating theme in this chapter is to be strong and of good courage, not only because when Israel crosses the Jordan, they will be facing giants, but also, this is the first time they are without Moses that any of them have known, except for Caleb and Joshua who were slaves in Egypt, all the first generation having died out in the wilderness.
To be strong is in Hebrew, Strong’s H2388 חזק chazaq, a primitive root meaning, “to strengthen, to uphold.”
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
zayin ז = mattock, thus tool, food, cut, nourish
quph ק = on the horizon, thus condense, circle, time
The parable being told by the Hebrew Root Word teaching tool is of a wall (chet) built up (zayin, as tools are used in building) so that it encircles (quph). Positively it means to be strong, to grab hold of and not let go; negatively it means to be stubborn, to be hardened.
To be of good courage is in Hebrew, Strong’s H553 אמץ amats, a primitive root meaning, “to be firm.” The 3-letter root is aleph + mem + tsadey.
aleph א = the ox head, thus strength, power, leader
mem מ, ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
tsadey צ, ץ = the trail, thus a man concealed, journey, chase, hunt
The parable is to strengthen (aleph) the mighty (mem) side (tsadey, as a hunter lying in wait on the trail is on his side, not upright). Related words are “to squeeze” and “to suck,” as pressure is applied to both sides at once. Thus to be firm physically is to be sure-footed, as you have planted your body, using the strength of your mighty or muscular sides to remain well-grounded. To be firm mentally is to be courageous, as you have planted your mind to also not be moved.
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