Joshua 24:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

The people answered, "Far be it from us that we would abandon ADONAI to serve other gods;

Berean Standard Bible:

The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!

American Standard Version:

And the people answered and said, Far be it from us that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the people^{H5971} answered^{H6030} and said^{H559}, God forbid^{H2486} that we should forsake^{H5800} the LORD^{H3068}, to serve^{H5647} other^{H312} gods^{H430};

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Joshua 24:16

Joshua 24:16 is a significant verse in the Old Testament that captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelite people. The context of this verse is the covenant renewal ceremony led by Joshua, who is the successor to Moses and the leader of the Israelites. After conquering the land of Canaan and distributing it among the tribes of Israel, Joshua gathers the people at Shechem to reaffirm their commitment to God.

In this ceremony, Joshua recounts the mighty acts of God on behalf of Israel, from the time of the patriarchs to the Exodus from Egypt, and through the conquest of the Promised Land. He challenges the people to choose whom they will serve—whether the gods of their ancestors or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they now dwell, or the Lord who brought them out of Egypt and delivered them from bondage.

The people's response in Joshua 24:16 is emphatic and unequivocal: "God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods." This declaration reflects their acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as well as their own commitment to exclusive worship of the Lord. It underscores the themes of loyalty, faithfulness, and the exclusive nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Israelites' statement is a public affirmation of their intention to continue following the God who has proven Himself to be the one true God, rejecting idolatry and syncretism with the religions of the surrounding nations.

This verse is a powerful testament to the importance of religious fidelity and the seriousness with which the Israelites took their covenant with God. It also serves as a warning to future generations to remain steadfast in their devotion to the Lord, understanding the consequences of abandoning the covenant as outlined by Joshua in the subsequent verses.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2486
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלִילָה
   Transliteration: châlîylâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-lee'-law
   Description: or חָלִלָה; a directive from חָלַל; literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!; be far, ([idiom] God) forbid.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5800
   There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָזַב
   Transliteration: ʻâzab
   Pronunciation: aw-zab'
   Description: a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
   
8. Strong's Number: H312
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֵר
   Transliteration: ʼachêr
   Pronunciation: akh-air'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.
   
9. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.