Joshua 24:5

Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and afterward I brought you out.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Joshua addresses the assembled tribes of Israel at Shechem, recounting Yahweh’s past deliverance. The verse records Yahweh speaking through Joshua to remind the people of the Exodus event preceding the covenant renewal.

The words — The Hebrew verb וָ/אֶשְׁלַ֞ח (va./'esh.Lach) means "and I sent," while וָ/אֶגֹּ֣ף (va./'e.Gof) translates to "and I struck." These terms frame the divine initiative in commissioning Moses and Aaron and executing judgment on Egypt.

The thread — This narrative of divine sending and striking Egypt reappears in Exodus 3:10, Exodus 4:12, and Exodus 7:1, where Yahweh commissions Moses and Aaron for the same mission. The sequence of sending, afflicting Egypt, and bringing the people out is reiterated in Joshua 24:6.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that deliverance originates from divine action rather than human effort. Readers must acknowledge Yahweh’s sovereign agency in history before responding to the covenant call.

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

וָאֶשְׁלַ֞חva./'esh.Lachand/ I sent אֶת־'et-<obj.>מֹשֶׁ֤הmo.ShehMoses וְאֶֽת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>אַהֲרֹן֙'a.ha.RonAaron וָאֶגֹּ֣ףva./'e.Gofand/ I struck אֶת־'et-<obj.>מִצְרַ֔יִםmitz.Ra.yimEgypt כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka./'a.Sherjust/ as עָשִׂ֖יתִי'a.Si.tiI did בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹbe./kir.B/oin/ midst/ its וְאַחַ֖רve./'a.Charand/ after הוֹצֵ֥אתִיho.Tze.tiI brought out אֶתְכֶֽם׃'et./Khem<obj.>/ you

King James Version

I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.

Cross-references

Exodus 3:10 Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Exodus 7:1 The LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.
Exodus 4:12 Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”
Exodus 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.
Exodus 12:51 And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.
Psalms 78:43 when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan.
Psalms 105:26 He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.
Psalms 135:8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast.
Psalms 136:10 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.

People named

MosesAaron