Joshua 23 6

Joshua 23:6 kjv

Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

Joshua 23:6 nkjv

Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

Joshua 23:6 niv

"Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.

Joshua 23:6 esv

Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left,

Joshua 23:6 nlt

"So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left.

Joshua 23 verses

Joshua 23 6 Meaning

Joshua 23:6 is a direct and urgent exhortation from Joshua to the people of Israel, urging them to diligently and courageously uphold and practice the entirety of God's Law, as revealed through Moses, without any deviation or compromise. It calls for absolute fidelity and steadfast obedience to the divine covenant as the bedrock for their continued dwelling in the Promised Land and for God's blessings.

Joshua 23 6 Context

Joshua 23 is a pivotal farewell address given by Joshua to the assembled leaders and then all Israel as he approaches the end of his life. This address parallels Moses' valedictory speeches in Deuteronomy, urging faithfulness to the covenant before Israel's entry into the Promised Land. By this point, the initial conquests of Canaan have occurred, and Israel is settling. Joshua reminds them of God's faithfulness in bringing them into and subduing the land. Verse 6 serves as a crucial transition point, shifting from recounting God's past actions to commanding Israel's future responsibilities. The "Book of the Law of Moses" (Torah) was the foundation of Israel's unique identity, covenant relationship with Yahweh, and their guide for life in the land. Failure to adhere strictly to it would invite divine judgment, as evidenced by later historical accounts. The surrounding pagan cultures presented constant temptation to compromise and deviate from God's distinct laws, making this admonition particularly critical.

Joshua 23 6 Word analysis

• Therefore (וְלָכֵן - və·lā·ḵēn): This conjunction serves as a logical conclusion, connecting the preceding narrative of God's faithfulness and their inheritance of the land to the subsequent command for human responsibility. It signifies that because God has been faithful, Israel is obligated to be obedient.
• be very strong (חִזְקוּ מְאֹד - ḥiz·qū mə·ʾōḏ):
  • חִזְקוּ (ḥiz·qū): From the root חָזַק (chazaq), meaning "to be strong, courageous, firm, courageous." It's an imperative plural, a command. It denotes a proactive and intentional effort, not passive compliance. It implies fortitude, resilience, and unswerving commitment.
  • מְאֹד (mə·ʾōḏ): "Very," "exceedingly," "much." This intensifies the command, demanding maximum effort and resolute determination. It's not a suggestion but a vigorous, wholehearted command for steadfastness.
• to keep (לִשְׁמֹר - liš·mōr): From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), "to guard, watch, keep, observe, preserve." This refers to internalizing, treasuring, and safeguarding the Law from neglect or corruption. It implies diligent study and remembrance.
• and to do (וְלַעֲשׂוֹת - və·la·ʿă·śōwt): From the root עָשָׂה (ʿasah), "to make, do, perform, carry out." This emphasizes active and practical application of the Law in daily life. It means putting the principles into action, manifesting obedience through concrete behavior.
• all that is written (כָּל־הַכָּתוּב - kol-hak·kā·ṯūḇ): This stresses the comprehensive nature of the command. No part of the Law is to be ignored or picked apart; full obedience to its entirety is required.
• in the Book of the Law of Moses (בְּסֵפֶר תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה - bə·sē·p̄er tō·raṯ mō·šeh):
  • סֵפֶר (sēp̄er): "Book, scroll, document." Refers to the authoritative, written compilation.
  • תּוֹרַת (tō·raṯ): From תּוֹרָה (torah), meaning "instruction, law, teaching, guidance." It is more than just rules; it's God's revealed will for their life and covenant relationship.
  • מֹשֶׁה (mō·šeh): "Moses." Attributing it to Moses validates its divine authority, as Moses was the prophet through whom God communicated His Law.
• turning aside (לְבִלְתִּי סוּר - lə·ḇil·tî sūwr):
  • לְבִלְתִּי (lə·ḇil·tî): "Not, so as not." Indicates a prohibition.
  • סוּר (sūwr): "To turn aside, depart, deviate, withdraw." It forbids any deviation, intentional or unintentional, from the path prescribed by the Law.
• from it (מִמֶּנּוּ - mim·men·nū): Refers back to the "Book of the Law."
• neither to the right hand nor to the left (יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול - yā·mîn ū·śmō·wl): An idiomatic expression common in ancient Near Eastern legal and ethical texts. It signifies absolute, unwavering adherence without deviation or distortion. It means not adding to or taking away from the Law, not attempting to find loopholes, and not embracing other ways of life. It implies staying precisely on the path God has marked out.

Joshua 23 6 Bonus section

This verse reflects a consistent theme throughout the Torah and the Prophets: the intimate link between God's blessings and Israel's covenant obedience. Joshua, standing in the tradition of Moses, understood that while God gives the land and wins the battles, continued enjoyment of those blessings depended entirely on living in conformity with God's ethical and spiritual framework. The intensity of the command ("very strong," "neither to the right hand nor to the left") indicates the severe temptations Israel would face in Canaan and the dire consequences of succumbing to them. This admonition also serves as a polemic against the arbitrary and often immoral religious practices of the Canaanites, highlighting the singular truth and purity of Yahweh's Law. It posits that true strength for the challenges of life is found in absolute commitment to divine instruction.

Joshua 23 6 Commentary

Joshua 23:6 stands as a profound call to covenant fidelity, bridging the narrative of God's past faithfulness with the urgent demand for human responsibility. The "therefore" links Israel's present possession of the land to the necessity of their unwavering obedience. The command to "be very strong" implies not just physical prowess but moral and spiritual courage in the face of pressures to compromise. This strength is vital for both "keeping" (guarding and preserving) and "doing" (actively obeying) the "Book of the Law." The phrase "all that is written" underscores the comprehensive nature of God's requirements, allowing no room for selective obedience or picking and choosing parts of God's instruction. The vivid imagery of "turning aside neither to the right hand nor to the left" serves as a powerful metaphor for staying on the precise path of divine revelation. This prohibition targets any deviation, whether by addition (e.g., human traditions superseding God's commands) or subtraction (e.g., neglecting uncomfortable aspects of the Law). It is a warning against syncretism with surrounding pagan practices and emphasizes the absolute uniqueness and sufficiency of God's Word as their sole guide. Ultimately, this verse encapsulates the essence of biblical obedience: diligent, courageous, comprehensive, and uncompromising adherence to God's revealed will as the foundation for blessed life and divine presence among His people.