Joshua 24 14

Joshua 24:14 kjv

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Joshua 24:14 nkjv

"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!

Joshua 24:14 niv

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:14 esv

"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:14 nlt

"So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 14 Meaning

Joshua 24:14 calls the people of Israel to make a decisive and exclusive commitment to Yahweh, the God who had faithfully led them. It is a clear and urgent command from Joshua, urging them to reject all forms of idolatry that their ancestors engaged in, whether from their origins in Mesopotamia ("beyond the River") or during their time in Egypt. Instead, they are to worship and serve the LORD alone with genuine integrity and unwavering loyalty. This verse encapsulates the foundational principle of Israelite faith: monotheism and complete devotion to the covenant God.

Joshua 24 14 Context

Joshua chapter 24 records Joshua's final address to the Israelites, delivered at Shechem shortly before his death. This event is a solemn covenant renewal ceremony. Joshua begins by recounting the entire history of God's saving acts, starting from Abraham's call (Josh 24:2-4), through the Exodus and wilderness wanderings (Josh 24:5-7), to their conquest and settlement in Canaan (Josh 24:8-13). This review highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and numerous provisions for Israel despite their ancestors' inclination towards idolatry. Verse 14, therefore, serves as the pivotal turning point of his discourse. Having reminded them of God's character and their history, Joshua issues a direct challenge to the current generation. He knows the seductive power of the pagan practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations and their own ancestral tendencies towards idolatry. The historical context indicates that even after settling in the Promised Land, the people retained objects or memories of their pagan past ("beyond the River" referring to Mesopotamia, their origins; "in Egypt" referring to the idols of their enslavement). Joshua's call is for a deliberate and exclusive choice for Yahweh, setting Israel apart from all other nations and their deities.

Joshua 24 14 Word analysis

• Now therefore: (וְעַתָּה, v'attah) A transitional and concluding conjunction. It signals that a decision or action is now required based on the preceding recounting of God's mighty acts and Israel's history. It acts as a logical consequence, inviting a response.
• fear: (יְרָאוּ, y'ra'u) This is a command, a call to reverence and awe towards the LORD, not a servile dread. In biblical usage, "fear the LORD" encompasses submission, obedience, worship, and fidelity. It is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, implying living in accordance with God's will.
• the LORD: (יהוה, Yahweh) The personal, covenant name of God, revealed to Israel. This highlights God's unique and exclusive nature in contrast to the numerous, impotent gods of the surrounding cultures. This is a direct polemic against the polytheism common in the ancient Near East.
• and serve: (וְעִבְדוּ, v'ivdu) A command to worship and obey. This goes beyond mere ritual; it implies dedicating one's life, work, and actions to God. It encompasses loyal devotion and obedience in all aspects.
• him: (אֹתוֹ, 'oto) The emphatic singular pronoun reinforces the exclusivity of their worship and service. There is no room for other gods.
• in sincerity: (בְּתָמִים, b'tamim) From the root tamam, meaning "completeness" or "wholeness." It signifies integrity, wholeheartedness, and blamelessness. It's an internal state, demanding genuineness, not superficial obedience. It means no divided loyalty.
• and in faithfulness: (וּבֶאֱמֶת, uv'emet) From the root aman, meaning "truth" or "firmness." It denotes truthfulness, reliability, loyalty, and constancy. This relates to God's own attribute of truthfulness and reliability, calling for Israel to reflect His character in their commitment. It implies adhering to what is true and real, rejecting the deceit of idols.
• Put away: (הָסִירוּ, hasiru) A strong imperative command, meaning "remove," "abolish," "take away completely." It denotes decisive and radical action to eliminate the objects and practices of idolatry from their midst.
• the gods: (אֱלֹהִים, elohim) Here refers to foreign deities, idols, pagan gods. This contrasts sharply with the singular "the LORD."
• that your fathers served: This acknowledges the historical reality of ancestral idolatry, both before and during their covenant with God. It serves as a warning against inherited or habitual apostasy.
• beyond the River: (עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר, Ever HaNahar) Specifically refers to the region east of the Euphrates River, i.e., Mesopotamia, where Abraham originated (Ur and Haran). This connects to the early history of Abraham's family and their pagan background.
• and in Egypt: Refers to the polytheistic religion of Egypt, with its pantheon of deities associated with natural forces, which the Israelites were exposed to and corrupted by during their centuries of servitude.
• and serve the LORD: This is a powerful reiteration of the initial command, serving as a forceful climax. It emphasizes the absolute requirement for exclusive worship and commitment to Yahweh, the one true God, over and against all other alleged deities.

Joshua 24 14 Bonus section

The emphasis on "sincerity" (tamim) and "faithfulness" (emet) highlights that outward compliance is insufficient for God. He demands an internal alignment of the heart with His commands. This spiritual aspect goes beyond ritual or mere participation in covenant ceremonies. The ancient Near East often viewed deities as localized or specialized. By contrasting Yahweh with the "gods of your fathers" and their regional origins, Joshua underscores the universal sovereignty and unique personhood of Yahweh, who is not bound by territory or function, unlike the polytheistic gods. The "covenant renewal" at Shechem echoed previous covenant formations (e.g., Sinai), serving to re-establish the national commitment under a new generation, thereby ensuring the continuity of the covenant promises and obligations. This final address serves as a profound theological statement: God’s saving acts precede His demands for obedience, and human response must be one of complete and sincere devotion.

Joshua 24 14 Commentary

Joshua 24:14 is the heart of Joshua's concluding charge to Israel, transforming his historical summary into a decisive call for commitment. It is not merely a suggestion but an urgent, solemn imperative to choose whom they will serve. The "therefore" links their present decision to God's historical faithfulness. The dual command to "fear" and "serve" the LORD encompasses both reverential awe and active, lifelong obedience, underscoring the spiritual and practical dimensions of faith. The core emphasis lies on "sincerity" and "faithfulness," highlighting that true worship must originate from an undivided heart and manifest as consistent loyalty. This inner integrity stands in direct opposition to the duplicity and half-heartedness often seen when attempting to serve both God and idols.

The command to "put away the gods" is a demand for radical purification. It addresses the ongoing temptation to syncretism – blending Yahwism with pagan practices. Joshua identifies the specific sources of their past idolatry – Mesopotamia (Abraham's pagan roots) and Egypt (their place of bondage and spiritual corruption), demonstrating the historical entrenchment of idolatry within their lineage. This isn't just about external removal of idols; it implies purging the internal desire for false gods. The final repetition of "serve the LORD" emphatically reiterates the singular nature of their allegiance. For Israel, this choice was life-or-death; loyalty to Yahweh promised blessings, while idolatry led to divine judgment. This verse resonates through biblical history, demanding exclusive devotion from believers, just as it did from the ancient Israelites, recognizing that our loyalty to God must be total, without compromise or division of heart.