Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

8. This book of the law ] Joshua is admonished that the Law must be strictly and carefully observed, if the great work, to which he had been called, was to be successfully accomplished. He was “to read, mark, and inwardly digest it,” and carry out its provisions to the letter.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth] The law which had already been written by Moses, and from which he and the people were to take all those precepts by which their lives were to be governed. Though there was a copy of the law laid up in the sanctuary, yet this was not sufficient. Joshua must have a copy for himself, and he was to consult it incessantly, that his way might be made prosperous, and that he might have good success. If he kept God’s word, God would keep him in body and soul; if he should observe to do according to that word, then God would cause all his way to be prosperous. Those who are obedient to God lack no manner of thing that is good.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Shall not depart out of thy mouth, i.e. thou shalt constantly read it, and upon occasion discourse of it, and the sentence which shall come out of thy mouth shall in all things be given according to this rule.

Meditate therein, i.e. diligently study, and frequently and upon all occasions consider what is Gods will and thy duty. The greatness of thy place and employments shall not hinder thee from this work, because this is the only rule of all thy private actions and public administrations.

According to all that is written therein; whereby he teacheth him that it is his duty to see with his own eyes, and to understand the mind and law of God himself, and not blindly to follow what any other should advise him to.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth,…. He was often to read it, frequently repeat it, and speak of it, to refresh his own memory with it, and the memory of those about him. Jarchi restrains it to the book of Deuteronomy now before him:

but thou shalt meditate therein day and night; whenever he had any leisure from the important business of his office, whether by day or night, see Ps 1:2;

that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; which frequent speaking of it, and constant meditation on it, would lead unto:

for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success; in his wars with the Canaanites.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

8. This book of the Law, etc Assiduous meditation on the Law is also commanded; because, whenever it is intermitted, even for a short time, many errors readily creep in, and the memory becomes rusted, so that many, after ceasing from the continuous study of it, engage in practical business, as if they were mere ignorant tyros. God therefore enjoins his servant to make daily progress, and never cease, during the whole course of his life, to profit in the Law. Hence it follows that those who hold this study in disdain, are blinded by intolerable arrogance.

But why does he forbid him to allow the Law to depart from his mouth rather than from his eyes? Some interpreters understand that the mouth is here used by synecdoche for face; but this is frigid. I have no doubt that the word used is peculiarly applicable to a person who was bound to prosecute the study in question, not only for himself individually, but for the whole people placed under his rule. He is enjoined, therefore, to attend to the teaching of the Law, that in accordance with the office committed to him, he may bring forward what he has learned for the common benefit of the people. At the same time he is ordered to make his own docility a pattern of obedience to others. For many, by talking and discoursing, have the Law in their mouth, but are very bad keepers of it. Both things, therefore, are commanded, that by teaching others, he may make his own conduct and whole character conformable to the same rule.

What follows in the second clause of the verse shows, that, everything which profane men endeavor to accomplish in contempt of the word of God, must ultimately fail of success, and that however prosperous the commencement may sometimes seem to be, the issue will be disastrous; because prosperous results can be hoped for only from the divine favor, which is justly withheld from counsels rashly adopted, and from all arrogance of which contempt of God himself is the usual accompaniment. Let believers, therefore, in order that their affairs may turn out as they wish, conciliate the divine blessing alike by diligence in learning and by fidelity in obeying.

In the end of the verse, because the term used is ambiguous, as I have already observed, the sentence is repeated, or a second promise is added. The latter is the view I take. For it was most suitable, that after the promised success, Joshua should be reminded that men never act skillfully and regularly except in so far as they allow themselves to be ruled by the word of God. Accordingly, the prudence which believers learn from the word of God, is opposed to the confidence of those who deem their own sense sufficient to guide them aright. (23)

(23) The French paraphrases the whole sentence thus: “ Ainsi la prudence et sagesse que les fideles apprennent de la parole de Dieu, est opposee a l’assurance de ceux auxquels il semble bien qu’ils se gouvernent assez discretement et sagement, quand ils besongnent selon leur propre sens;” “Thus the prudence and wisdom which believers learn from the word of God, is opposed to the assurance of those who think they govern themselves discreetly and wisely enough, when they manage according to their own sense.” — Ed.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(8) Thou shalt meditate therein day and night . . . then thou shalt make thy way prosperous.These words are taken up again in Psa. 1:2-3, and a blessing is pronounced on every man who takes Joshuas position in relation to the written law of God (see Note, Jos. 1:1). Thus the true significance of Joshuas position appears, and also the difference between Moses and all who followed him. Moses was the prophet whom the Lord knew face to face. Joshua and all his successors, from the least to the greatest, find their blessing and their portion in the careful study and fulfilment of the written word of God. It is also worthy of notice that Gods Word, from its very first appearance as a collective book (viz., the law), occupies the same position. It is supreme. It is set above Joshua. It is never superseded. And its authority is independent of its quantity. The law of Moses, Moses and the prophets, The law, the prophets, and the Psalms, are descriptions of the Bible differing in the quantity of the matter, but not differing in the authority they exercise or in their relation to the living church. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of the prophecy of this book, and keep those things that are written therein, are words that apply to Holy Scripture equally, in every stage, from the completion of the law of Moses to the completion of the entire book.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

8. This book of the law Already had revelation solidified itself into a book form. The wisdom of God in selecting this form will be evident when we consider, (1) That the human race instinctively put into monumental form all the great truths, laws, discoveries, and historic events which they wish to perpetuate; (2) The untrustworthy character of oral traditions; (3) The difficulty of corrupting documents intrusted to the guardianship of a class solemnly set apart for that purpose, and imbued with a religious awe for the very letter of the sacred manuscript, or as published to the world by the multiplication of copies scattered abroad through all lands.

Shall not depart The written divine law shall be a theme of constant study, thought, and conversation, the rule of both his private and official life.

Shall meditate The Hebrew word , sometimes means to mutter, speak aloud, but “we are not to think of this meditation as a learned study, nor as a ‘reading aloud,’ as Bunsen explains it, but rather as a mature reflection upon the law, by which Joshua should penetrate more deeply into its meaning.” Fay. Happy is the nation of Bible readers ruled by one who receives the law at the mouth of God!

Have good success Rather, act wisely. Compare Jos 1:7.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

“ This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

The idea here is of learning by heart and then constant spoken repetition (they could not carry written books around in their pockets for the ‘books’ were bulky and not portable). Day and night he was constantly to take the opportunity of repeating to himself the memorised word of God, and that with the aim of observing all that was in it. It is fine to rejoice in the promises of God, but we must also take careful note of the instructions of God.

The result will be success in what we do. Joshua’s success would depend on his knowledge of and submission to the word of God.

“This book of the law.” See Deu 28:58; Deu 28:61; Deu 29:21; Deu 30:10. Reference is to ‘the book of the law’ written down either by Moses or under his supervision. It may well be that Joshua had obtained the book from those responsible for watching over it for the very purpose of meditating on it. It was probably written on papyrus brought from Egypt, or possibly on leather. (He may have written it himself on Moses’ instructions).

“Meditate in it day and night.” A thought taken up by the Psalmist in Psa 1:2. If we would succeed with God we must meditate regularly on His word and ensure that we live out every word of it.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Ver. 8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, &c. “This law, whose original is laid up in the sanctuary, shall never cease to be the subject of thy meditations and discourses, that so all thy conduct may be perfectly conformable thereto.” By which it is evident, that Joshua had a copy of the law for his private use; and that it was the intention of God, that he should set an example to all kings and governors who should come after him, of a devout application to the study of its principles for their government. However weighty and numerous the occupations of Joshua might be, God means not that they should dispense him from reading, meditating, and digesting of his law: on the contrary, he requires him constantly to derive from thence his rule of conduct, as well in his private transactions, as in his public administration. Happy the people who have Joshuas at their head! If ever they can rely on the prudence of their governors, and promise themselves advantage from their ministry, it must be under such a supposition.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Ver. 8. This book of the law shall not depart. ] Lex sola omnis sapientiae fons est. The Scripture is the only fountain of all wisdom, saith Luther: a who in the same place affirmeth, that he hated his own writings, and wished they were all burnt, because he feared that the reading of them kept men from reading the Bible, that book of books, in comparison whereof all other books are but as waste paper. Charles V, emperor, liked to read three books especially, – Polybius’s history, Machiavel’s Prince, and Castalian’s Courtier. He took such delight in the mathematics, that even in the midst of his whole army, in his tent, he stayed close at this study; having for that purpose, as his instructor, Turrianus of Cremona evermore with him. How well versed he was in the Scriptures, I know not, but at his baptism, among other great gifts bestowed upon him by his father’s friends – as a golden sword, a silver head piece, a charger of gold filled with pearls, &c. – the Abbot of Gaunt, where he was born, gave him a fair Bible with this inscription, scrutamini Scripturas, search the Scriptures. b Queen Elizabeth, soon after her coronation, being presented by the Londoners in Cheapside with a Bible, received it with both her hands; and kissing it, laid it to her breast, saying, that the same had ever been her chiefest delight, and should be the rule by which she meant to frame her government. c Alphonsus, king of Arragon, is said to have read over the Bible fourteen times with Lyra’s notes. And Charles the Wise of France, not only caused the Bible to be translated into French, but was himself very studious in “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make” a man “wise to salvation.”

For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous. ] Piety hath prosperity. See Trapp on “ Jos 1:7 “

a Luth., in Genes.

b Bucholc., Ex Zenocaro.

c Speed’s Chron.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)