In verses 9-10 Joshua reminds the Israelites of the reason why they have so easily defeated their enemies: it was because the Lord was fighting for them, so that one Israelite could defeat a thousand of the enemy (see similar language in Deut 32.30).

As you advanced of verse 9 may be placed first in the clause in order to make the sequence of events chronological: “You went against great and powerful nations, but the LORD drove them away.”

In Hebrew no one is literally “no man” (Revised Standard Version) and may be translated “not one of your enemies.” However, it may be understood collectively as “not one of these nations.”

Several translational adjustments may be necessary in verse 10. The LORD your God may need to be rendered “the LORD our God,” and the Lord’s promise may need to be placed in direct discourse near the beginning of the verse: “The LORD our God promised, ‘I will fight for you.’ That is why one of you can defeat a thousand men.”

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 .