Joshua 1:8
New International Version
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

New Living Translation
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

English Standard Version
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Berean Standard Bible
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

King James Bible
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

New King James Version
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

New American Standard Bible
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.

NASB 1995
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

NASB 1977
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Legacy Standard Bible
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will be prosperous.

Amplified Bible
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.

Christian Standard Bible
This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

American Standard Version
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

English Revised Version
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.

Good News Translation
Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

International Standard Version
This set of instructions is not to cease being a part of your conversations. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to carry out everything that's written in it, for then you'll prosper and succeed.

Majority Standard Bible
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

NET Bible
This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful.

New Heart English Bible
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

Webster's Bible Translation
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate in it day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

World English Bible
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the scroll of this Law does not depart out of your mouth, and you have meditated in it by day and by night, so that you observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then you cause your way to prosper, and then you act wisely.

Young's Literal Translation
the book of this law doth not depart out of thy mouth, and thou hast meditated in it by day and by night, so that thou dost observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then thou dost cause thy way to prosper, and then thou dost act wisely.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the book of this law shall not depart from thy mouth; and meditate thou in it day and night, so that thou shalt watch to do according to all written in it: for then thou shalt prosper thy ways, and then thou shalt be wise.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let not the book of this law depart from thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate on it day and night, that thou mayst observe and do all things that are written in it: then shalt thou direct thy way, and understand it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The book of this law shall not depart from your mouth. Instead, you shall meditate upon it, day and night, so that you may observe and do all the things that are written in it. Then you shall direct your way and understand it.

New American Bible
Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed.

New Revised Standard Version
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall succeed and prosper.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall be attending to it by night and by day, and you shall keep and you shall do all that is written in it, that you will prosper and you will be successful
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy ways prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the book of this law shall not depart out of thy mouth, and thou shalt meditate in it day and night, that thou mayest know how to do all the things that are written in it; then shalt thou prosper, and make thy ways prosperous, and then shalt thou be wise.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Commissions Joshua
7Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. 9Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”…

Cross References
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. / Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ...

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. / Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. / For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


Treasury of Scripture

This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

book

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: …

Deuteronomy 11:18,19
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes…

Deuteronomy 17:18,19
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: …

thou shalt

Psalm 1:2,3
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night…

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 119:11,15,97,99
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…

observe

Deuteronomy 5:29,32,33
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! …

Deuteronomy 6:1-3
Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: …

Matthew 7:21,24
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven…

have good success.

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

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Joshua 1
1. The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses
3. The borders of the promised land
5. God promises to assist Joshua
8. He gives him instructions
10. Joshua prepares the people to pass over Jordan
12. He puts the two tribes and a half in mind of their promise to Moses
16. They promise him allegiance














This Book of the Law
The phrase "This Book of the Law" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. In Hebrew, the word for "law" is "Torah," which means instruction or teaching. This highlights the importance of the Scriptures as a guide for life. Historically, the Torah was central to Jewish life and worship, serving as the foundation for their covenant relationship with God. For Christians, it underscores the continuity of God's revelation and the importance of Scripture as the ultimate authority in guiding faith and practice.

must not depart from your mouth
The command that the law "must not depart from your mouth" emphasizes the importance of verbal proclamation and meditation on God's Word. In ancient times, oral tradition was a primary means of preserving and transmitting knowledge. The Hebrew word for "depart" is "mush," which implies a sense of removal or withdrawal. This suggests that God's Word should be a constant presence in one's speech and thought, reflecting a life immersed in Scripture. For believers, it is a call to continually speak and live out the truths of the Bible.

meditate on it day and night
The instruction to "meditate on it day and night" highlights the practice of deep, reflective contemplation of God's Word. The Hebrew word for "meditate" is "hagah," which can mean to murmur, ponder, or muse. This suggests an active engagement with Scripture, allowing it to permeate one's thoughts and actions. Historically, meditation was a key aspect of Jewish spiritual practice, and for Christians, it remains a vital discipline for spiritual growth and transformation, encouraging believers to align their lives with God's will.

so that you may be careful to do
The phrase "so that you may be careful to do" underscores the connection between meditation and obedience. The Hebrew word for "careful" is "shamar," meaning to guard or keep. This implies a diligent and intentional effort to live according to God's commands. In the biblical context, obedience was a sign of faithfulness to the covenant. For Christians, it is a reminder that true understanding of Scripture leads to action, and that faith is demonstrated through obedience to God's Word.

everything written in it
"Everything written in it" refers to the comprehensive nature of God's commands. The emphasis on "everything" indicates that no part of God's law is to be neglected or overlooked. Historically, the written word was a means of preserving divine revelation, and for believers, it signifies the completeness and sufficiency of Scripture. This calls Christians to a holistic approach to the Bible, recognizing its authority in all areas of life and striving to live in accordance with its teachings.

For then you will prosper
The promise "For then you will prosper" connects obedience to God's Word with success. The Hebrew word for "prosper" is "tsalach," which can mean to advance or succeed. In the biblical context, prosperity was often seen as a sign of God's blessing and favor. For Christians, this is not merely a promise of material success but a deeper assurance of spiritual well-being and fulfillment that comes from living in alignment with God's purposes.

and succeed in all you do
The phrase "and succeed in all you do" reinforces the idea of comprehensive success tied to faithfulness to God's Word. The Hebrew word for "succeed" is "sakal," which implies insight and wisdom. This suggests that true success is not just about external achievements but involves living wisely and discerningly according to God's principles. For believers, it is an encouragement that a life grounded in Scripture leads to true fulfillment and purpose, as God guides and blesses their endeavors.

(8) Thou shalt meditate therein day and night . . . then thou shalt make thy way prosperous.--These words are taken up again in Psalm 1:2-3, and a blessing is pronounced on every man who takes Joshua's position in relation to the written law of God (see Note, Joshua 1:1). Thus the true significance of Joshua's position appears, and also the difference between Moses and all who followed him. Moses was the prophet "whom the Lord knew face to face." Joshua and all his successors, from the least to the greatest, find their blessing and their portion in the careful study and fulfilment of the written word of God. It is also worthy of notice that God's Word, from its very first appearance as a collective book (viz., the law), occupies the same position. It is supreme. It is set above Joshua. It is never superseded. And its authority is independent of its quantity. "The law of Moses," "Moses and the prophets," "The law, the prophets, and the Psalms," are descriptions of the Bible differing in the quantity of the matter, but not differing in the authority they exercise or in their relation to the living church. "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of the prophecy of this book, and keep those things that are written therein," are words that apply to Holy Scripture equally, in every stage, from the completion of the law of Moses to the completion of the entire book.

Verse 8. - This book of the law. The law was, therefore, embodied in a written document when the Book of Joshua was written; and as the antiquity of this Book may be regarded as proved, we may quote thus an early authority for the genuineness of at least some portions of the Pentateuch. There was a "book of the law" in Joshua's time, according to this early testimony, and we may conclude from vers. 3-7 that Deuteronomy formed a part of it (see also Deuteronomy 17:19 for a similar precept. And for the fact see Deuteronomy 31:24-26). Meditate therein (cf. Psalm 1:2, 63:7, 143:5, in the original. Also Deuteronomy 31:26). Observe to do. Literally, keep to do, thus impressing on us the care necessary in deciding on our actions. All that is written therein (cf. for the expression Deuteronomy 28:58, 61; Deuteronomy 29:19, 20, 26; Deuteronomy 30:10). Shall have good success. The word is the same as is translated "prosper" above, and not the same as that rendered "prosperous" in this verse. "Men," says Calvin, "never act skilfully, except in so far as they allow themselves to be ruled by the Word of God." Have I not commanded thee? "An emphatic inquiry is a stronger form of affirmation, and is generally employed by those who wish to infuse into another courage and alacrity" (Michaelis). Moreover repetition is a remarkable feature of Hebrew composition, as we may observe from the second chapter of Genesis onward, and is designed to give emphasis to what is commanded or related. Calvin would lay stress on I: "Have not I commanded thee?" But this is not borne out by the Hebrew.

CHAPTER 1:10-15. JOSHUA'S COMMAND TO THE PEOPLE, -

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
הַזֶּ֜ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

book
סֵפֶר֩ (sê·p̄er)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

of the Law
הַתּוֹרָ֨ה (hat·tō·w·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

must not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

depart
יָמ֡וּשׁ (yā·mūš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4185: To depart, remove

from your mouth;
מִפִּ֗יךָ (mip·pî·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

you are to recite
וְהָגִ֤יתָ (wə·hā·ḡî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse

it day
יוֹמָ֣ם (yō·w·mām)
Adverb
Strong's 3119: Daytime, by day

and night,
וָלַ֔יְלָה (wā·lay·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

so that
לְמַ֙עַן֙ (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

you may carefully
תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר (tiš·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

observe
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

everything
כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

written in it.
הַכָּת֖וּב (hak·kā·ṯūḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

For
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

then
אָ֛ז (’āz)
Adverb
Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore

you will prosper
תַּצְלִ֥יחַ (taṣ·lî·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6743: To push forward

and succeed
תַּשְׂכִּֽיל׃ (taś·kîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

in all you do.
דְּרָכֶ֖ךָ (də·rā·ḵe·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action


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OT History: Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 1:7
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