What Does Joshua 10:7 Mean in the King James?
So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The “valour” here is חַיִל (chayil), a word that can also name an army, resources, or a woman of strength, so the verse pictures capacity gathered for action.
THE MEANING
Strength moves toward a neighbor in danger: Joshua goes up with the people of war and those able to meet the threat. Here, pledged help takes visible form as a force advancing together.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse unsettles the belief that commitment can remain only a sentiment: here, help moves.
THE ROOT
חַיִל
chayil
GROWS FROM
ח־י־ל
ḥ-y-l
Strength, force, or capacity; by context, an army or resources.
English separates valour, army, and wealth, while Hebrew uses chayil across these senses of strength and capacity. The verse names the warriors’ force as well as their courage: it is capacity that goes with Joshua toward the danger.
ALSO GROWS
chayil: A force or army; for example, Pharaoh’s army in Exodus 14:9.
חַיִל
The same word can name gathered force, giving “valour” a sense of capacity ready for action.
chayil: Possessions or resources; for example, “this wealth” in Deuteronomy 8:17.
חַיִל
The word can also describe resources a person has at hand, widening its sense from battlefield courage to available capacity.
eshet chayil: A woman characterized by strength or valour; Proverbs 31:10.
אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל
The same word describes a woman, showing that chayil names human strength without restricting it to male warriors.
THE PATTERN
Help becomes concrete when people bring their strength and resources toward another’s danger or burden.
And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.THE THREAD
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.The Hebrew phrase translated “virtuous woman” is אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל (eshet chayil), “woman of strength or valour.” The same chayil names the strength of Joshua’s warriors, opening the word beyond a battle-only reading.
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