1. Joshua 18:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean that the land lay subdued before them?

Joshua 18:1 (ESV)

1 Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them.

The words used in the Hebrew text are exactly the same words as in the creation command found in Genesis 1:28 where the Lord gives mankind the instruction to subdue the earth. Israel’s possession of Canaan along with the presence of the Lord at the tent of meeting suggest that the time has come for a new start with humanity. The purposes of creation have been realized because God is now dwelling in the midst of his people, a people who are looking forward to fulfilling their task and living in relationship with God.1