Verse 6 opens with a command expressed in Hebrew by two synonymous verbs: “be strong and be courageous” (also verses 7, 9, 18). These are translated in a variety of ways: New English Bible “be strong, be resolute”; Jerusalem Bible “be strong and stand firm”; An American Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “Be strong and brave”; Moffatt “Be strong, be brave.”

You will be the leader of these people as they occupy this land translates “you will cause this people to inherit the land.” The Hebrew verb translated “to inherit” expresses the basic idea that the land is a gift from the Lord to his people; they “inherit” it from him. After all is said and done, the land of Canaan will be theirs not because of their strength or prowess in battle but because the Lord gives it to them. Good News Translation avoids the use of the traditional “inherit” (Revised Standard Version), since for English readers this would imply that someone has died, and in the context it would be the Lord! One may restructure as two coordinate clauses: “You will lead these people, and together you will occupy this land.”

I promised translates the verb “to vow, to swear,” that is, to make a solemn pledge which is strengthened by an oath; it validates the promise and makes it permanently binding. The reader may be helped if this verse is arranged somewhat chronologically. For example, “I promised this land to the ancestors of this people. So be determined and confident and lead the people to occupy the land.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The next morning, after the two spies return to camp, the Israelites leave the camp at Acacia (see 2.1).

In Hebrew the verb “got up” is singular, with Joshua as the subject, while the other verbs (left … went … camped) are plural, including all the people of Israel. However, the use of a singular verb, later followed by a larger group of subjects, is a typical Hebraism and is not to be imitated in translation. For example, in the New Testament one frequently encounters a structure such as “Jesus left, and his disciples,” the meaning of which is “Jesus and his disciples left” or “Jesus left with his disciples.” It is obvious that all the Israelites did get up (unless everyone else except Joshua had stayed up all night!), and in many languages this information must be included.

The verb rendered left the camp technically means “broke camp,” and the clause may then be rendered “moved their camp from Acacia.” Translators should be careful not to imply that the people of Israel were merely going outside their camp. This information does, of course, become clear later in the verse, but the possibility of any misunderstanding should be avoided.

While waiting to cross it translates the Hebrew “before they crossed over.” It is also possible to leave this information implicit and render the last clause of this verse as a separate sentence: “There they set up camp.” The entire verse may easily be broken into several units. For example, “The next day Joshua and all the people of Israel got up early. They left the camp at Acacia and traveled west to the Jordan River. There they set up camp and waited until it was time to cross the river.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

After the circumcision was completed may be translated “After all the men had been circumcised.” It may be necessary to translate “After Joshua had circumcised all the men” or “… had caused (commanded) all the men to be circumcised.”

The whole nation is a reference to the men of Israel, as the Hebrew form of the verb stayed (masculine plural) clarifies. The verse may then be rendered, “After all the men of Israel had been circumcised, they stayed in the camp until their wounds had healed.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

This verse is not simply the statement about one man’s sin; all the Israelites suffer as a consequence of his sin: The LORD was furious with the Israelites.

The first sentence of Good News Translation is difficult because it contains (a) two negatives (not to take; was not obeyed) and (b) a series of four events: command, take, destroy, and obey. The complexity may be somewhat eased as follows: “The LORD commanded the people of Israel to destroy Jericho and everything in it. But a man named Achan did not obey the LORD’s command, and so the LORD was very angry with the people of Israel.” Or, if repetition is more effective: “… but not everyone obeyed this command. A man named Achan disobeyed what the LORD had said….” Direct discourse may be employed for the Lord’s command: “The LORD had told the people of Israel, ‘Destroy Jericho and everything in it.’ ….”

Achan’s disobedience is spoken of as treachery, as “an act of unfaithfulness” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). He defied the Lord’s explicit command and “took some of the devoted things” (Revised Standard Version), that is, “things devoted to destruction.” Achan’s lineage is given: Carmi, Zabdi, Zerah, and tribe of Judah (see verses 16-18). In identifying Achan Good News Translation follows the order of the Hebrew: son of … grandson of … clan of … tribe of…. Some languages may prefer to go from the larger units of tribe and clan to that of the family.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .