Joshua 23 8

Joshua 23:8 kjv

But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.

Joshua 23:8 nkjv

but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.

Joshua 23:8 niv

But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.

Joshua 23:8 esv

but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day.

Joshua 23:8 nlt

Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now.

Joshua 23 verses

Joshua 23 8 Meaning

Joshua 23:8 encapsulates Joshua's ultimate call to Israel: unwavering allegiance to Yahweh their God. It urges them to steadfastly remain united with God, a continuation of the faithfulness they have demonstrated since entering the promised land. This adherence is not merely outward observance but a deep, intimate, and exclusive loyalty, presenting it as the singular path to enduring divine favor and the antithesis to turning away after other gods or practices.

Joshua 23 8 Context

Joshua 23 forms a significant part of Joshua's farewell address to the leaders and representatives of Israel, delivered after the completion of the conquest and division of the land. Joshua, nearing the end of his life, summons all Israel, reminding them of God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to them. This address serves as a solemn covenant renewal, much like a final charge. Before verse 8, Joshua issues warnings against intermingling with the remaining nations or their idol worship, emphasizing that doing so will lead to their destruction. Joshua 23:8 then transitions to the positive exhortation, urging the Israelites towards continuous, exclusive, and devoted loyalty to the Lord, in stark contrast to the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. This verse is the pivot, shifting from dire warnings about unfaithfulness to a direct command for active devotion, thereby setting the stage for the solemn commitment required in the subsequent verses.

Joshua 23 8 Word analysis

• but (וְכִי, we-ḵî): This conjunction marks a strong contrast. It follows the negative injunctions of not intermarrying or serving other gods (vv. 7-8a), pivoting to the required positive action. It signals a critical choice.
• hold fast (תִּדְבָּקוּ, tidbāqū): From the Hebrew root דבק (dāḇaq), meaning "to cling," "cleave to," "stick fast." This term conveys an intense, intimate bond, similar to that of a marital union (Gen 2:24) or physical adherence. It signifies complete devotion, not just external obedience but a deep, inseparable loyalty of the heart and mind to God, rejecting any compromise with other gods. This implies steadfast spiritual adhesion, avoiding separation.
• to the Lord (בַּיהוָה, ba-Yahweh): Refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, revealing His personal relationship with Israel. The preposition בְּ (be) "to" or "in" emphasizes an immersive, committed relationship. The demand is for allegiance to the one true God, setting Him apart from all pagan deities.
• your God (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, Eloheikem): Reinforces the unique and intimate covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. He is their God, specifically chosen by and for them. This particular phrasing emphasizes the personal and corporate nature of their commitment to Him.
• as (כַּאֲשֶׁר, kaʾăšer): A comparative conjunction, linking their present state of faithfulness to what is expected of them going forward.
• you have done (עֲשִׂיתֶם, ʿăśîṯem): Acknowledges the past obedience and faithfulness of the generation that completed the conquest. This is a commendation and also serves as an example and motivation. Their previous actions demonstrate the possibility and desirability of continued devotion.
• to this day (עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, ʿad-hayyōwm hazzêh): Emphasizes the continuity and immediacy of their current loyalty. It highlights the present moment as a point of achieved faithfulness, which must be sustained without wavering. It frames their journey from Egypt through the wilderness and conquest as a narrative of a generally faithful, yet challenged, relationship with God, pointing to the crucial ongoing nature of covenant living.

Words-Group Analysis

• "but hold fast to the Lord your God": This phrase encapsulates the central demand for exclusive and deep commitment. The urgency conveyed by "but" signals that despite past triumphs and blessings, vigilance is paramount. "Hold fast" signifies an active, deliberate choice to maintain an intimate bond with God, rooted in trust and covenant, making Him the sole object of worship and devotion.
• "as you have done to this day": This segment serves as both an affirmation and an exhortation. It commends Israel's historical faithfulness and presents their present commitment as a benchmark for future conduct. It suggests that continued success and blessing are contingent on maintaining this established pattern of loyalty, linking historical experience with future expectation. It implicitly contrasts this positive record with the potential for future backsliding, underscoring the necessity of persistent dedication.

Joshua 23 8 Bonus section

The concept of "holding fast" or "cleaving" (Hebrew dabaq) is crucial across the Old Testament, denoting deep personal commitment, often mirroring physical sticking or emotional attachment. Beyond Joshua 23:8, this same verb is used to describe:

• Marital Union: Gen 2:24 describes a man cleaving to his wife, emphasizing unbreakable bond. This connection highlights the intensity of the divine-human relationship expected by God.
• Friendship/Loyalty: Ruth cleaving to Naomi (Ruth 1:14).
• Divine Love and Fidelity: Psa 63:8 ("my soul clings to you").
• The positive example of King Hezekiah, who clung to the Lord and did not turn aside from Him (2 Kgs 18:6).This choice of "dabaq" emphasizes that covenant obedience is not just legalistic compliance, but a relationship requiring heart-felt, loyal attachment and spiritual oneness with God. The call to "hold fast" is a perpetual one for believers, transcending dispensations and finding its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, in whom believers are to "abide" (John 15).

Joshua 23 8 Commentary

Joshua 23:8 stands as a profound call for spiritual adhesion within the context of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Following warnings against spiritual syncretism, this verse articulates the essence of what God requires: a singular, exclusive devotion, symbolized by the powerful verb "hold fast" or "cleave" (דבק). This is more than mere obedience; it denotes a deep, inseparable attachment of heart and soul, reflecting the intimacy of a marriage covenant. Joshua highlights Israel's existing commendable faithfulness "to this day," acknowledging their journey with God and implying that sustained success is dependent on maintaining this established pattern of loyalty. It’s a challenge to future generations, reminding them that the covenant blessings they inherited were earned through a relationship maintained by diligent attachment to Yahweh, not through adopting foreign practices or idols. The emphasis on "the Lord your God" reinforces the unique and personal nature of this bond, differentiating Him sharply from the false gods of surrounding nations, making it an implicitly polemical statement against idolatry and religious compromise.