Bible Strands
Joshua 20:1
Then the LORD said to Joshua,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses Joshua directly at the moment preceding the statutory instructions for cities of refuge. The statement functions as a divine preamble to the legal framework detailed in the following verse.
The words — וַיְדַבֵּר (va/y.da.Ber) translates literally as "and he spoke," while יְהוָה (Yah.weh) identifies the speaker as Yahweh. The phrase אֶל־יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (el-YehoShu.a) specifies the recipient, and לֵ/אמֹר (le./Mor) introduces the forthcoming command.
The thread — This direct speech pattern appears in Joshua 6:2 and Joshua 7:10, where Yahweh issues commands or corrections to Joshua. Joshua 5:14 records a divine encounter but does not contain the formula of Yahweh speaking directly to Joshua.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that the subsequent legal code carries direct divine authorization. The text demands attention to Joshua’s role as the conduit for statutory revelation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Cross-references
- 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?”
- 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.
- Joshua 7:10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?
- Joshua 13:1 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.