Bible Strands
Joshua 4:14
On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD acts upon Joshua immediately after the forty thousand armed troops cross the Jordan and enter the plains of Jericho, establishing his authority before delivering the next command.
The words — גִּדַּ֤ל (gi.Dal) translates literally as "he made great," and בְּ/עֵינֵ֖י (be./'ei.Nei) means "in the eyes of," describing how divine elevation becomes visible public recognition.
The thread — This pattern of God elevating a leader for public recognition appears in Joshua 3:7, while the resulting reverence mirrors the unified obedience in 2 Chronicles 30:12 and the awe of Israel in 1 Kings 3:28.
Why it lands — The text demands a clear assessment of leadership legitimacy: authority originates from divine action, not human appointment, and must be validated by sustained public acknowledgment.
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
On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
Cross-references
- Joshua 3:7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.
- 2 Chronicles 30:12 Moreover, the power of God was on the people in Judah to give them one heart to obey the command of the king and his officials according to the word of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 3:28 When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
- Joshua 1:16 So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.
- Romans 13:4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
- Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.
- 1 Samuel 12:18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
- Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
- 1 Corinthians 10:2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.