Joshua 1 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Joshua 1
Courage in God’s presence: following Christ faithfully
Editorial Christian reading: Joshua’s commission is read alongside the promise of God’s abiding help in Hebrews 13:5–6; Joshua and Jesus remain distinct persons.
1:1–9 | The commission and the book of the Torah
Verse MT 1:1 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:1
After the death of Moses, the servant of YHWH, YHWH spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:1
After Moses’ death, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying:
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Hebrew calls Moses “the servant of YHWH” here; Greek does not. Both identify Joshua as Moses’ attendant.
Verse MT 1:2 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:2
“Moses My servant is dead. Now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving them, the sons of Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:2
“Moses My servant has died. Now arise and cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving them.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek leaves “them” without the Hebrew’s explicit identification, “the sons of Israel.”
Verse MT 1:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:3
Every place on which the sole of your foot treads I have given you, as I told Moses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:3
Every place on which you set the sole of your feet I will give you, as I have told Moses.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew presents the grant as already given; Greek uses the future “I will give.” The plural address includes the people.
Verse MT 1:4 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:4
From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting sun shall be your territory.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:4
The wilderness and Anti-Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, and as far as the furthest sea toward the setting sun shall be your borders.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek has Anti-Lebanon and no equivalent of “all the land of the Hittites.” Preserve the geographical wording of each source.
Verse MT 1:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:5
No man shall stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:5
No person shall withstand you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will also be with you. I will not abandon you or disregard you.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek first addresses the people in the plural, then Joshua in the singular. Its final verbs stress abandonment and disregard.
Verse MT 1:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:6
Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:6
Be strong and courageous, for you shall apportion to this people the land that I swore to your fathers to give them.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Inheritance and apportionment express the same commission; Hebrew has “their fathers,” Greek “your fathers.”
Verse MT 1:7 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:7
Only be strong and very courageous, taking care to do according to all the Torah that Moses My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may act wisely wherever you go.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:7
Therefore be strong and courageous, taking care to do as Moses My servant commanded you. You shall not turn from these commands to the right or to the left, so that you may have understanding in everything you do.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks “very” and the explicit phrase “all the Torah”; both require obedience without deviation.
Rabbinic: Rashi distinguishes courage for Torah obedience here from courage for land leadership and warfare in 1:6 and 1:9 [R1, 1:6–9].
Verse MT 1:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:8
This book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, taking care to do according to everything written in it. Then you will make your way prosper, and then you will act wisely.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may understand how to do everything written in it. Then you will prosper and make your ways prosper, and then you will understand.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek expands the language of prospering and emphasizes understanding; both unite recitation with practice.
Rabbinic: Rashi identifies the book before Joshua with Deuteronomy and explains meditation as thought in the heart [R1, 1:8].
Verse MT 1:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or dismayed, for YHWH your God is with you wherever you go.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:9
See, I have commanded you: be strong and courageous. Do not lose heart or be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew’s rhetorical question becomes a Greek assertion. Both ground courage in divine presence.
Rest shared with the brethren: Christ gathers His people
Editorial Christian reading: the tribes’ shared rest anticipates the question developed in Hebrews 4:8–11, where Joshua’s rest does not exhaust God’s promise.
1:10–15 | Prepare to cross; help your brothers
Verse MT 1:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:10
Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:10
Joshua commanded the scribes of the people, saying:
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew shoterim and Greek grammateis designate the administrative officers; “scribes” preserves the Greek title.
Verse MT 1:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:11
“Pass through the camp and command the people: ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for in three days you are crossing this Jordan to enter and possess the land that YHWH your God is giving you to possess.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:11
“Go into the midst of the people’s camp and command the people: ‘Prepare provisions, for in three days you are crossing this Jordan to enter and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.’”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly calls the Lord “the God of your fathers”; Hebrew repeats the possession formula.
Verse MT 1:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:12
To the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:12
Joshua said to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh:
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The same eastern tribes are addressed; recognizable tribal names are normalized.
Verse MT 1:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:13
“Remember the word that Moses, the servant of YHWH, commanded you: ‘YHWH your God is giving you rest and has given you this land.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:13
“Remember the word of the Lord that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God has given you rest and has given you this land.’
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly identifies the remembered word as the Lord’s and presents the rest as already granted.
Verse MT 1:14 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:14
Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan. But you, all the mighty warriors, shall cross armed before your brothers and help them,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:14
Let your wives, your children, and your livestock remain in the land he gave you. But you, every strong man, shall cross equipped before your brothers and fight alongside them,
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the explicit Moses/Jordan identification in this verse and specifies fighting alongside their brothers.
Verse MT 1:15 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:15
until YHWH gives your brothers rest as He has given you, and they too possess the land that YHWH your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses, the servant of YHWH, gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:15
until the Lord your God gives your brothers rest as He has given you, and they too inherit the land that the Lord our God is giving them. Then each of you shall return to his inheritance, which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both require solidarity until the other tribes receive rest. Greek says “our God” and “each … his inheritance.”
Saints: Hebrews 4:8–11 treats Joshua’s rest as real but not the final fulfillment of God’s promised rest; this is apostolic reception, not a substitute for the land grant.
1:16–18 | The people pledge obedience
Verse MT 1:16 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:16
They answered Joshua: “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:16
They answered Joshua: “Everything you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The pledge of obedience and readiness to go corresponds.
Verse MT 1:17 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:17
Just as we obeyed Moses in everything, so we will obey you. Only may YHWH your God be with you as He was with Moses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:17
Just as we obeyed Moses in everything, we will obey you. Only may the Lord our God be with you as He was with Moses.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew has “your God,” Greek “our God”; both pray for continuity of divine presence.
Verse MT 1:18 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:18
Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:18
The person who disobeys you and does not obey your words in whatever you command him shall die. Only be strong and courageous!”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both attach death to disobedience and repeat the exhortation to courage.