Joshua 24 16

Joshua 24:16 kjv

And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Joshua 24:16 nkjv

So the people answered and said: "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods;

Joshua 24:16 niv

Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!

Joshua 24:16 esv

Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods,

Joshua 24:16 nlt

The people replied, "We would never abandon the LORD and serve other gods.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 16 Meaning

The people of Israel, in a decisive and unified declaration, vehemently rejected the idea of abandoning Yahweh, the God of their covenant, to serve any other deities. Their statement expressed utter abhorrence at the mere thought of such disloyalty, reaffirming their commitment to exclusive worship and service to the LORD.

Joshua 24 16 Context

Joshua 24 records Joshua's final address to the people of Israel gathered at Shechem. This chapter functions as a covenant renewal ceremony, reminiscent of earlier covenant enactments. Joshua recounted the historical acts of Yahweh's salvation from Abraham through the exodus, the wilderness wandering, and the conquest of Canaan. He then presented the people with a direct challenge: to choose whom they would serve – either Yahweh or the gods their ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they now dwelled. Joshua explicitly stated his personal decision in verse 15: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Verse 16 is the people's immediate and unanimous response, indicating their initial willingness to accept this solemn covenant obligation. This moment of declaration is crucial as it sets the stage for the challenges of faithfulness that would define Israel's subsequent history, particularly highlighted in the book of Judges. The historical setting is the threshold of a new era, as Israel transitions from a generation led by Joshua to governing themselves under God's laws in a land surrounded by pagan practices.

Joshua 24 16 Word analysis

• And the people: Signifies a collective, corporate declaration. The response is not from a few leaders, but from the entire assembly, indicating unity and consensus.

• answered and said: wayya'anu ha‘am wayyo'meru (וַיַּעֲנוּ הָעָם וַיֹּאמְרוּ). The repetition of "and said" emphasizes the verbal declaration of their decision following their direct response to Joshua's challenge.

• God forbid: chalilah (חָלִילָה). This is a very strong Hebrew exclamation, often translated as "far be it," "by no means," or "a desecration/profanity." It implies an utter rejection of the idea, considering it a sacrilege, an abominable act, or something so morally repulsive that it's beyond consideration. It's a vehement disavowal, suggesting an extreme and absolute impossibility.

• that we should forsake: mê‘azov (מֵעֲזֹב). From the root ‘azav (עָזַב), meaning "to abandon," "to desert," "to leave," "to renounce." It suggests a deliberate act of withdrawing allegiance or breaking a relationship, highlighting the intentionality and gravity of such an act against the LORD.

• the LORD: Yahweh (יְהוָה). The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, intimate relationship with Israel, His unchanging nature, and His absolute sovereignty. This name contrasts sharply with the generic "gods" and emphasizes the uniqueness and supremacy of the God they are covenanting with.

• to serve: la‘ăvod (לַעֲבֹד). From the root ‘avad (עָבַד), meaning "to work," "to serve," "to worship," "to minister." Here, it clearly denotes acts of religious devotion, worship, and obedient service. The choice presented is one of allegiance, dictating whom one lives for and to whom one offers devotion.

• other gods: elohim acherim (אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים). This phrase refers to foreign deities, typically those worshipped by the surrounding Canaanite nations (like Baal, Asherah, Dagon, Moloch). The explicit mention highlights the ever-present temptation and polemic against polytheism prevalent in the ancient Near East. Israel was called to an exclusive monotheism in a polytheistic world.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the people answered and said, God forbid": This conveys an immediate, emphatic, and collective rejection. The strong interjection chalilah reveals their deep-seated conviction at this moment that such an act would be utterly deplorable and unimaginable. It's a statement of absolute ethical and theological impossibility from their perspective.
  • "that we should forsake the LORD": This identifies the core issue: betraying their unique, covenant relationship with Yahweh. "Forsake" emphasizes an active, deliberate breaking of fidelity, recognizing the gravity of severing ties with the God who redeemed them.
  • "to serve other gods!": This directly specifies the alternative allegiance they are renouncing. It acknowledges the temptation of idolatry pervasive in the new land and clearly defines their chosen path as one of exclusive devotion to Yahweh, against the backdrop of syncretism and polytheistic worship of false deities.

Joshua 24 16 Bonus section

The historical context shows chalilah (God forbid) as a common emphatic rejection found elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., 1 Sam 24:6, Rom 3:4), signifying a moral or ethical impossibility. It emphasizes that forsaking the LORD would not merely be a mistake but an abomination. The Shechem assembly represented a crucial turning point, cementing the Mosaic covenant obligations upon the next generation entering the Promised Land. This passage reinforces the idea that true worship requires conscious choice and constant commitment. The subsequent narrative in Judges quickly reveals the gap between this solemn corporate pledge and the eventual actions of individuals and tribes, underscoring the ongoing challenge of remaining faithful.

Joshua 24 16 Commentary

Joshua 24:16 is a resounding and emphatic declaration of allegiance by the people of Israel to Yahweh. It is a moment of clear-sighted conviction, prompted by Joshua's powerful recounting of God's faithfulness and his personal challenge to choose. The phrase chalilah, "God forbid," captures the profound sense of revulsion the people felt at the very notion of abandoning their Deliverer for impotent idols. This statement reflects an understanding of their history – how Yahweh had consistently intervened for them – and their covenant obligations. Their words represent a solemn vow, affirming exclusive devotion to the only true God. While sincerely uttered, this declaration, as later biblical history reveals, would prove a consistent struggle for Israel to uphold in practice. The verse highlights the essence of biblical monotheism: total commitment to the one, sovereign God and complete rejection of any rival deities. It undergirds the call for exclusive worship foundational to Israel's identity and anticipates the constant spiritual battle against idolatry and syncretism that would mark their journey. This is a model for any believer's complete devotion.