Verses 1-16

The First Farewell Address of Joshua

This discourse was probably delivered at Shiloh or Timnath-Serah. Unlike the Second Discourse, which is mainly a historical retrospect, it dwells chiefly upon the political future of Israel, laying special emphasis on their separateness, and the danger of social and religious intercourse with the remnant of the Canaanites. Joshua 23 is from the same source as Joshua 1 and Deuteronomy 27.

4. These nations that remain] Like chapter Joshua 13:2-7, to the substance of which it probably refers, this passage serves to modify the unqualified character of such summaries of conquest as Joshua 10:40-43; Joshua 11:23; Joshua 21:43-45.

10. One man of you shall chase a thousand] RV 'hath chased,' cp. Deuteronomy 32:30.

15. All evil things] RV 'all the evil things,' with definite reference to Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Cp. also Leviticus 26:14-39.