CINXE.COM
Joshua 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. "I am old and well along in years," he said,
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. "I am old and well along in years," he said,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/23-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/06_Jos_23_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 23:2 - Joshua's Charge to Leaders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. I am old and well along in years, he said," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/23-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/23-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/23-1.htm" title="Joshua 23:1">◄</a> Joshua 23:2 <a href="/joshua/23-3.htm" title="Joshua 23:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />called together all the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel. He said to them, “I am now a very old man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joshua called for all Israel, <i>and</i> for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old <i>and</i> stricken in age:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: “I am old, advanced in age.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, their heads, their judges, and their officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and their heads and their judges and their officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and their heads and their judges and their officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and their heads and their judges and their officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />that Joshua called all Israel, their elders and their heads and their judges and their officers, and said to them, “I am old and advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Joshua summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in age,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Joshua summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and said to them, “I am old, getting on in years, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and well stricken in years:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />One day he called a meeting of the leaders of the tribes of Israel, including the old men, the judges, and the officials. Then he told them: I am now very old. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and well stricken in years:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So he called all the leaders, chiefs, judges, and officers of Israel together. He said to them, "I am old, near the end of my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />so he called all Israel, the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of the people, and said, "I am very old now. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Joshua called together all Israel, including their leaders, officials, judges, and tribal officers. He told them, "I am old now after having lived many years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. ?I am old and well along in years,? he said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Joshua summoned all Israel, including the elders, rulers, judges, and leaders, and told them: "I am very old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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 advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them, I am old and advanced in age:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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 advanced in years. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Joshua calls for all Israel, for his elderly, and for his heads, and for his judges, and for his authorities, and says to them, “I have become old; I have entered into days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Joshua calleth for all Israel, for its elders, and for its heads, and for its judges, and for its authorities, and saith unto them, 'I have become old; I have entered into days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua will call to all Israel, to his old men and to his heads and to his judges and to his scribes, and he will say to them, I have become old; I came into days:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Josue 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: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Joshua called all of Israel, and those greater by birth, and the leaders and rulers and teachers, and he said to them: “I am elderly and advanced in age.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />he summoned all Israel, including their elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and said to them: “I am old and advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Joshua summoned all Israel, their elders and heads, their judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joshua summoned all Israel, their elders, their heads, their judges, and their scribes, and said to them, I am old and well advanced in years;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yeshua called all Israel, its Elders and its Leaders and its Judges and its Scribes, and he said to them: “I am old and am advanced in years<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said unto them: 'I am old and well stricken in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua called together all the children of Israel, and their elders, and their chiefs, and their judges, and their officers; and said to them, I am old and advanced in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/23-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=6053" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/23.htm">Joshua's Charge to Leaders</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, when Joshua was old and well along in years, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">summoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: liz·qê·nāw (Prep-l:: Adj-mpc:: 3ms) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">including its elders,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: ū·lə·rā·šāw (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">leaders,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: ū·lə·šō·p̄ə·ṭāw (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3ms) -- To judge, govern. ">judges,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7860.htm" title="7860: ū·lə·šō·ṭə·rāw (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. an official superintendent or magistrate.">and officers.</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/2204.htm" title="2204: zā·qan·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be or become old. A primitive root; to be old.">am old</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and well along</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in years,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>“and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-28.htm">Deuteronomy 31:28-30</a></span><br />Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. / For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you. And in the days to come, disaster will befall you because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger by the work of your hands.” / Then Moses recited aloud to the whole assembly of Israel the words of this song from beginning to end:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-1.htm">1 Kings 2:1-3</a></span><br />As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, / “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. / And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-17.htm">Acts 20:17-38</a></span><br />From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. / When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. / I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">2 Timothy 4:6-8</a></span><br />For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. / I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-12.htm">2 Peter 1:12-15</a></span><br />Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. / I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body, / because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Genesis 49:1-2</a></span><br />Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come: / Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1-5</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. / Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-1.htm">2 Samuel 23:1-2</a></span><br />These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: / The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/28-1.htm">1 Chronicles 28:1-8</a></span><br />Now David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials and mighty men—every mighty man of valor. / Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it, / but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/24-15.htm">2 Chronicles 24:15-16</a></span><br />When Jehoiada was old and full of years, he died at the age of 130. / And Jehoiada was buried with the kings in the City of David, because he had done what was good in Israel for God and His temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/71-18.htm">Psalm 71:18</a></span><br />Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-5.htm">Psalm 78:5-7</a></span><br />For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children / that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Isaiah 46:4</a></span><br />Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18-20</a></span><br />Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-25.htm">Luke 22:25-27</a></span><br />So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them, I am old and stricken in age:</p><p class="hdg">all Israel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Joshua 24:1</a></b></br> And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/31-28.htm">Deuteronomy 31:28</a></b></br> Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/28-1.htm">1 Chronicles 28:1</a></b></br> And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Advanced</a> <a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Age</a> <a href="/joshua/3-2.htm">Authorities</a> <a href="/joshua/22-32.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/joshua/20-4.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/joshua/13-1.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/joshua/22-30.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/joshua/22-32.htm">Leaders</a> <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-11.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-28.htm">Overseers</a> <a href="/joshua/2-19.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Stricken</a> <a href="/joshua/22-1.htm">Summoned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/1-10.htm">Advanced</a> <a href="/joshua/24-29.htm">Age</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Authorities</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/judges/3-22.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Leaders</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Overseers</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Stricken</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Summoned</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Joshua's exhortation before his death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/23-3.htm">by former benefits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/23-5.htm">by promises</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/23-11.htm">and by threatenings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>he summoned all Israel</b><br>This phrase indicates a formal gathering of the nation, emphasizing the unity and collective identity of Israel. Such assemblies were significant in Israel's history, often marking moments of covenant renewal or important national decisions (e.g., <a href="/deuteronomy/31-28.htm">Deuteronomy 31:28-30</a>). The summoning of "all Israel" underscores the importance of the message Joshua is about to deliver, as it pertains to the entire nation.<p><b>including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers</b><br>The mention of these specific groups highlights the structured leadership within Israel. Elders were respected figures often involved in decision-making (<a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a>). Leaders and judges were responsible for governance and maintaining justice (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18</a>). Officers likely served administrative roles. This structure reflects the organized society that Israel had become, transitioning from a nomadic tribe to a settled nation. It also mirrors the leadership hierarchy established by Moses (<a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21-26</a>).<p><b>“I am old and well along in years,” he said</b><br>Joshua's acknowledgment of his age serves as a reminder of the passage of time since the Israelites entered the Promised Land. It echoes similar statements by other biblical figures like Moses (<a href="/deuteronomy/31-2.htm">Deuteronomy 31:2</a>) and serves as a prelude to his farewell address. This phrase sets the stage for a transfer of leadership and a call to faithfulness, as Joshua, like Moses, prepares to leave a legacy of obedience to God's covenant. Joshua's life and leadership can be seen as a type of Christ, leading God's people into the promised inheritance, just as Jesus leads believers into eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Joshua is the leader of Israel who succeeded Moses. He is now old and nearing the end of his life, preparing to give his final instructions to the people of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/all_israel.htm">All Israel</a></b><br>This term refers to the collective nation of Israel, God's chosen people, who have settled in the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders,_leaders,_judges,_and_officers.htm">Elders, Leaders, Judges, and Officers</a></b><br>These are the various levels of leadership within the Israelite community. Elders were respected figures, leaders were those with authority, judges were responsible for legal matters, and officers were likely military or administrative officials.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context is the land of Canaan, which Israel has conquered and settled under Joshua's leadership.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua's_farewell_address.htm">Joshua's Farewell Address</a></b><br>This event marks the beginning of Joshua's farewell speech, where he provides guidance and warnings to the Israelites before his death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>Joshua's summoning of Israel's leaders highlights the need for strong, godly leadership in guiding God's people. Leaders should be wise, faithful, and committed to God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a></b><br>Joshua addresses the entire community, emphasizing that the responsibility of following God is not just on leaders but on all members of the community. Each person has a role in maintaining faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_mortality.htm">The Reality of Mortality</a></b><br>Joshua acknowledges his old age, reminding us of the brevity of life and the importance of preparing the next generation to continue in faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faithfulness.htm">Legacy of Faithfulness</a></b><br>Joshua's life serves as a model of faithfulness and obedience to God. We are encouraged to consider the legacy we are leaving behind and how it aligns with God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_continuity_of_god's_promises.htm">The Continuity of God's Promises</a></b><br>Joshua's leadership transition reminds us that God's promises and plans continue beyond any one individual. Our trust should be in God, who remains faithful through all generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_holiness_of_christ.htm">What are the Historical Books of the Bible's significance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_judges_2_3_align_with_joshua.htm">In Judges 2:3, God says He will no longer drive out the remaining nations; how does this align with earlier promises of total conquest in Joshua?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_laish's_swift_conquest_align_biblically.htm">How does the swift, seemingly unopposed conquest of Laish in Judges 18:27-29 align with other biblical accounts or historical records of territorial conflicts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_on_empty_nest_syndrome.htm">What is the Deuteronomistic History?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Joshua called for all Israel </span>(<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>first)<span class= "bld">. . . for their elders . . . heads . . . judges, and . . . officers.</span>--The first "and" in the English Version of this verse should be omitted.<p><span class= "bld">And said unto them . . .</span>--The address which follows should be contrasted with that in Joshua 24. The first is suited to men of education, authority, and position in Israel, and concerns the duty of the rulers; the second contains one plain lesson for all the people, and makes no demand upon their intellect, nor does it require any position of influence or authority to carry out the instructions which it gives.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All Israel.</span> By their representatives, as subsequently mentioned. <span class="cmt_word">For their officers</span> (see <a href="/joshua/1-10.htm">Joshua 1:10</a>). In the original the pronoun is in the singular throughout (see note on Joshua 6:25). <span class="cmt_word">And said unto them.</span> This speech is not, as Calvin, Maurer, and others have suggested, the same as that in ch. 24. (see notes there). Maurer believed that he was the first to entertain this idea, but he has been anticipated by Calvin. It consists largely of quotations from Deuteronomy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/23-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">[he]</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">summoned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">including its elders,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִזְקֵנָיו֙</span> <span class="translit">(liz·qê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">leaders,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְרָאשָׁ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·rā·šāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">judges,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְשֹׁפְטָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·šō·p̄ə·ṭāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and officers.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·šō·ṭə·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7860.htm">Strong's 7860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am old</span><br /><span class="heb">זָקַ֔נְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(zā·qan·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2204.htm">Strong's 2204: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] advanced</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֖אתִי</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in years,”</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיָּמִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/23-2.htm">Joshua 23:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/23-2.htm">OT History: Joshua 23:2 That Joshua called for all Israel (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/23-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 23:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 23:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/23-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 23:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 23:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>