Joshua 20:1 — Word Study
WLCוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃
BSAThen the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] saiddâbar▸ [to speak, communicate, or command] toʼêl JoshuaYᵉhôwshûwaʻ [the leader, whose name means 'God is salvation']
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר | and he spoke | Verb, Piel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| יְהוָ֔ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ | Joshua | Noun proper masculine |
| לֵאמֹֽר׃ | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then the LORD said to Joshua, |
| KJV | The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, |
| ASV | And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying, |
| YLT | And Jehovah speaketh unto Joshua, saying, |
| WEB | Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, |
| BBE | And the Lord said to Joshua, |
Where they part company is יְדַבֵּ֣ר — see How Translations Differ.
A single main clause that establishes the direct communication from God to Joshua.





6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
verbדָבַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 20:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Instructions to Joshuagenerated
Joshua 20:1 introduces a moment where the LORD speaks directly to Joshua, the leader of the Israelites. This verse sets the stage for the instructions that follow regarding the cities of refuge, emphasizing God's guidance in the life of His people. The context is critical as it shows God's ongoing relationship with Israel through Joshua, who is tasked with leading them into the Promised Land.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 5:14 | “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” |
| 2 | Joshua 6:2 | And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. |
| 3 | Joshua 7:10 | But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face? |
| 4 | Joshua 13:1–7 | Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְדַבֵּ֣ר, vay.da.Bergenerated
The verb דָבַר (dabar) means 'to speak' and indicates a range of communication from simple conversation to authoritative command. It is in the Piel stem, which often conveys intensity or a specific purpose, suggesting that this is not just casual speech but a significant directive from God to Joshua.
The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular indicates that this is an ongoing action, emphasizing the immediacy and importance of God's communication. This word is foundational in understanding how God interacts with His leaders and His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יְדַבֵּ֣ר governs the entire clause, indicating that the LORD is the one initiating the communication. The structure follows a straightforward order: subject (the LORD) followed by the verb (spoke) and the object (to Joshua), which highlights the directness of God's command.
The prepositional phrase אֶל־ introduces the recipient of the speech, emphasizing that this message is directed specifically to Joshua, indicating both authority and purpose in the communication.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְדַבֵּ֣ר as ἐλάλησεν (elalēsen), which also means 'to speak'. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the sense of communication from God to His chosen leader.
The translation indicates a consistent understanding of God's authoritative speech, reinforcing the idea that God's words are not merely for information but carry weight and command.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 20:1 shows that the LORD spoke to Joshua, giving him a command. This verse highlights the direct communication from God to His leader, emphasizing the importance of God's guidance in the lives of the Israelites.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's direct guidance and communication with His chosen leader, indicating the importance of obedience to God's commands.
This shows the ongoing relationship between God and His people, where God provides direction and instruction for their journey.
Joshua means 'God is salvation', reflecting his role as a leader who guides the Israelites into the Promised Land.
It sets the stage for the commands regarding the cities of refuge, highlighting God's concern for justice and protection among His people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I be attentive to God's guidance in my life, like Joshua was?
- What does it mean to me that God communicates directly with His leaders?
- In what ways can I respond to God's commands in my own life?
- How does understanding the meaning of Joshua's name influence my view of his leadership?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 20:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe Lord also spake unto Joshua,.... Out of the tabernacle, at the door of which he with the high priest and princes were; the Lord had spoken to him before concerning dividing the land among the
Read John Gill on Joshua 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, The Lord also spake unto Joshua ...
Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJoshua 20:1 The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,Ver. 1. The Lord also spake unto Joshua.] Whether in a sensible apparition, or prophetic revelation, or otherwise: for "at sundry times and in divers manner God spake to those ancients."
Read John Trapp on Joshua 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER XX Joshua is commanded to appoint cities of refuge, 1, 2. The purpose of their institution, 34. Three cities are appointed in the promised land, 7; and three on the east side of Jordan, 8, 9. NOTES ON CHAP. XX
Read AdamClarke on Joshua 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesCh. Joshua 20:1-6. The Divine Command respecting the Cities of Refuge 1. The Lord also spake unto Joshua] As soon as the Tribes had received the portion of their inheritance, the Lord directed that Joshua should carry out the injunctions which Moses had left respecting the Cities of Refuge for the accidental homicide.
Read Cambridge on Joshua 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE SIX CITIES OF REFUGE, Joshua 20:1-9.The sentiment of justice impels uncultivated men to the immediate infliction of punishment upon those who give offence to that sentiment by a wrong act,
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Joshua 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then the LORD said to Joshua,
Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,
Then the LORD said to Joshua,
The Lord instructed Joshua:
Tyndale line
The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,
And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying,
The Lord also spake vnto Ioshua, saying,
Strictly literal
And Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying,
And Jehovah speaketh unto Joshua, saying,
And YHWH speaks to Joshua, saying,
And the Lord spoke unto Joshua, saying,
Then Yahweh said to Joshua,
From the Latin
And the Lord spoke to Josue, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and say to them:
Simplified
Then the Lord told Joshua,
And the Lord said to Joshua,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃, which matches the wording found in the Septuagint. Both texts agree on the essential elements of the verse, showing a strong consistency in the transmission of this instruction.
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 20:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.
[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)
Qal speak
Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk
Pi. speak
Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for
Hithp. speaking this word
Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues
base
H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)
1696 dabar daw-bar'
a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used
figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive
sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,
declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,
say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,
use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.
: speak/tell/command
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.
: subdue
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.
: promise/declare
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vpw3ms
spok (1Ki 7:33).
See SEA, THE MOLTEN.
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (*Yhowshuwa`*) refers to Joshua, the successor of Moses and leader of the Israelites. It encompasses various figures, including a resident of Beth-shemesh, a high priest after the restoration, and a governor of Jerusalem under Josiah. The name means 'Jehovah is salvation' and appears in different contexts throughout the Old Testament.
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, and (later) יֵשׁוּעַ, n.pr.m. (& loc., v. 9 infr.) (י׳ is salvation or י׳ is opulence)
Moses’ successor, son of Nun
a Bethshemite
h.p. after the restoration, son of Jehozadak
governor of Jerusalem under Josiah
head of one of the classes of priests
a Levitical family-name of frequent occurrence
father of a builder at the wall
a Judaite family-name
n.pr.loc. in south of Judah
base
H3091 יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, and (later) יֵשׁוּעַ . Moses’ successor, son of Nun
. a Bethshemite
. h. p. after the restoration, son of Jehozadak
. governor of Jerusalem under Josiah
. head of one of the classes of priests
. a Levitical family-name of frequent occurrence
. father of a builder at the wall
. a Judaite family-name
. n. pr. loc. in south of Judah
3091 Yhowshuwa` yeh-ho-shoo'-ah
or Yhowshua {yeh-ho-shoo'-ah}; from 3068 and 3467;
Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish
leader:--Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare 1954, 3442.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 03467
see HEBREW for 01954
see HEBREW for 03442
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (ye.ho.shu.a) — Joshua.
A man of the tribe of Ephraim living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness and Israel before the Monarchy, first mentioned at Exo.17.9;
son of: Nun (H5126); also called Hoshea (KJV: Oshea) at Num.13.8; Jeshua at Neh.8.17;
§ Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation"
1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan
2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it
3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration
4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (ye.ho.shu.a) — Joshua.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.6.14
§ Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation"
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Joshua
Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A.V.), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 (R.V., Joshua).
He was born in Egypt, and was probably of the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8-16). He became Moses’ minister or servant, and accompanied him part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the two tables (
(saviour, or whose help is Jehovah). His name appears in the various forms of HOSHEAHOSHEA, OSHEA, JEHOSHUA, JESHUA and JESUS. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:27) (B.C. 1530-1420.) He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. (Exodus 17:9) Soon afterward he was one of the twelve chiefs who were sent, (Numbers 13:17) to explore the land of Canaan, and one of the two, ch. (Numbers 14:6) who gave an encouraging report of their journey. Moses, shortly before his death, was directed, (
1. The son of Nun, a distinguished leader of the Hebrews, and the successor of Moses. His name at first was Oshea, Nu 13:8,16; and in the New Testament he is called Jesus, Ac 7:45 Heb 4:8. Both the names, Joshua and Jesus, signify savior, deliverer. See JESUS. Joshua led Israel over the Jordan, and took possession of the promised land; he conquered the Canaanites, and then distributed the country among the tribes. He is first mentioned as the leader of Israel against the Amalekites at Rephidim,
Ex 17:8-16. See also Nu 14:6. At the passage over Jordan he was eighty-four years of age; and after about twenty-six years employed…
a savior; a deliverer
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
