Joshua 23

King James Version

Full text for Joshua Chapter 23

1¶ And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old [and] stricken in age.

2And Joshua called for all Israel, [and] for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old [and] stricken in age:

3And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God [is] he that hath fought for you.

4Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.

5And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

6Be 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;

7That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

8But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.

9For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.

10One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

11¶ Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.

12Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

13Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

14And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.

15Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

16When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Joshua, now old, gathers all Israel to deliver his final charge, reminding them of the LORD's faithfulness in fighting for them and giving them rest. He exhorts them to diligently keep the Law of Moses and cleave to the LORD, warning against any association with the remaining nations or their idolatry. Joshua declares that if they transgress the covenant, divine judgment will follow, leading to their destruction from the promised land.

Medium Summary

As Joshua approaches the end of his life, he convenes all the leaders and people of Israel to impart a solemn farewell address. He begins by recounting the LORD's mighty acts in fighting for Israel and granting them rest from their enemies, reminding them that God alone secured their inheritance. Joshua then exhorts them to be exceedingly courageous in observing the entire Law of Moses, cautioning against any deviation. A central warning is issued against associating with the remaining Canaanite nations, specifically forbidding intermarriage, serving their gods, or even mentioning their names. He stresses that continued obedience and cleaving to the LORD will ensure divine protection and success. Conversely, Joshua declares that if they turn away and embrace idolatry, the LORD will cease to drive out their enemies, and these nations will become a source of trouble, ultimately leading to Israel's destruction from the land. He concludes by affirming that all God's good promises have been fulfilled, implying that His warnings of judgment will likewise come to pass if they transgress the covenant.

Long Summary

In his advanced age, long after the LORD had granted Israel rest from their surrounding enemies, Joshua summoned all the leaders and people of Israel for a final address. He began by reminding them of the LORD's unwavering faithfulness, emphasizing that it was God Himself who fought for them and secured their victories against numerous nations. Joshua affirmed that he had divided the land among the tribes, and the LORD would continue to expel the remaining inhabitants as promised. He then issued a crucial command: to be very courageous in diligently observing and doing all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses, without deviating to the right or left. A severe warning followed against any association with the nations still dwelling among them, explicitly forbidding intermarriage, mentioning their gods, swearing by them, serving them, or bowing down to them. Instead, he urged them to cleave steadfastly to the LORD their God, just as they had done up to that day. Joshua recounted past divine interventions, noting that no enemy had been able to stand before them, and reiterated the promise that one Israelite could chase a thousand because the LORD fought for them. He underscored the paramount importance of loving the LORD their God. However, Joshua presented a stark alternative: if they were to turn back, cleave to the remnant of these nations, or intermarry with them, the LORD would cease to drive out their adversaries. Instead, these remaining nations would become snares, traps, scourges, and thorns, ultimately leading to Israel's perishing from the good land given by the LORD. Joshua then solemnly declared his impending death, yet affirmed that not a single good promise from the LORD had failed to come to pass. He warned that just as all good things had been fulfilled, so too would all evil things (judgments) be brought upon them if they transgressed the covenant. Specifically, serving other gods and bowing to them would ignite the LORD's anger, resulting in their swift destruction from the promised land.

Core Concepts

  • Divine FaithfulnessJoshua repeatedly reminds Israel that the LORD their God has fought for them, given them rest, and fulfilled all His good promises concerning their inheritance of the land.
  • Covenant ObedienceA central theme is the imperative for Israel to be courageous in keeping and doing all that is written in the Law of Moses, without turning from it.
  • Separation from IdolatryJoshua strictly warns against associating with the remaining nations, particularly forbidding intermarriage, mentioning their gods, or serving them, emphasizing the need to cleave only to the LORD.
  • Consequences of DisobedienceThe chapter clearly states that if Israel transgresses the covenant by serving other gods, the LORD's anger will be kindled, leading to their perishing from the good land.
  • Conditional InheritanceWhile the land was promised and given, its continued possession is presented as contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to the LORD and His commands, rather than being unconditional.
  • Joshua's Farewell ChargeThis chapter serves as Joshua's final, solemn address to the entire nation, delivering a powerful exhortation and warning before his death, summarizing the lessons of their past and setting the course for their future.