Joshua 23:12

KJV

Else 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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Else if ye do in any wise {H7725} go back {H7725}, and cleave {H1692} unto the remnant {H3499} of these nations {H1471}, even these that remain {H7604} among you, and shall make marriages {H2859} with them, and go in {H935} unto them, and they to you:

Complete Jewish Bible

Otherwise, if you retreat and cling to the remnant of these other nations remaining among you, if you make marriages with them and have children with them and they with you,

Berean Standard Bible

For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them,

American Standard Version

Else if ye do at all go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 23:12 delivers a profound and solemn warning from the aged leader Joshua to the Israelites, serving as a critical prophetic utterance before his death. It meticulously outlines the severe consequences of spiritual and social apostasy, specifically cautioning against the dangers of turning away from God through the formation of intimate alliances and intermarriage with the remaining pagan nations within the Promised Land. This verse powerfully underscores the absolute necessity of covenant fidelity and spiritual separation, emphasizing how seemingly minor compromises in personal and communal relationships can inexorably lead to a complete departure from divine mandates and, ultimately, the forfeiture of God's promised blessings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent warning is situated within Joshua's poignant farewell address to the assembled leaders and people of Israel, primarily recorded in [Joshua 23](/joshua/23 "Joshua's Final Charge to Israel"). Having successfully led the conquest and overseen the equitable division of the land, Joshua, now venerable in years, gathers the nation for a final, impassioned exhortation. He begins by recounting God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to grant them victory and land ([Joshua 23:3-5](/joshua/23-3-5 "God's Faithfulness in Conquest and Inheritance")). Joshua then transitions to a series of urgent commands, imploring them to remain steadfast in their obedience to the Law of Moses ([Joshua 23:6](/joshua/23-6 "Adherence to the Law of Moses")) and to rigorously avoid the idolatrous practices of the dispossessed nations ([Joshua 23:7](/joshua/23-7 "Warning Against Idolatry and Pagan Practices")). Verse 12 serves as a pivotal elaboration on the practical outworking of this warning, specifically targeting the intimate social and marital relationships that would inevitably lead to spiritual compromise, thereby setting the stage for the severe curses and judgments pronounced in the subsequent verses ([Joshua 23:13-16](/joshua/23-13-16 "Consequences of Disobedience and Covenant Breaking")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Joshua's warning is the immediate post-conquest period of Canaan, where, despite significant victories, various pockets of indigenous peoples still coexisted among the Israelite tribes. God's explicit command to Israel had been to utterly dispossess these nations, a mandate rooted in their pervasive idolatrous and immoral practices, which included abhorrent rituals like child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and divination ([Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1-5 "Command to Drive Out Nations and Destroy Idols"); [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9-12 "Abominations of the Nations")). In the ancient Near East, intermarriage was a common and strategic practice, often employed to solidify political alliances, establish economic ties, and facilitate social integration between different groups. For Israel, however, such integration was strictly forbidden. The divine prohibition stemmed from the understanding that these unions would inevitably lead to the adoption of the pagan gods, customs, and moral decay of their new kin, thereby corrupting Israel's unique identity as God's covenant people and provoking divine wrath. Joshua's warning reflects a profound foresight into this pervasive cultural temptation and its devastating spiritual implications for Israel's future.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 23:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes that resonate throughout the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. It emphatically highlights the theme of **Covenant Fidelity**, underscoring that Israel's continued blessing, prosperity, and secure possession of the land were entirely contingent upon their unwavering, exclusive loyalty to Yahweh alone, as meticulously outlined in the Mosaic Covenant ([Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Blessings for Obedience to the Covenant")). The verse also deeply emphasizes the theme of **Separation and Holiness**, reiterating God's divine imperative for His people to be set apart and distinct from the corrupting influences of the surrounding pagan cultures, thereby maintaining their unique identity as a holy nation dedicated to Him ([Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). Furthermore, it starkly introduces the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**, serving as a prophetic foreshadowing of the cycles of apostasy, judgment, and eventual exile that would plague Israel's subsequent history, demonstrating that any deviation from God's commands, particularly through cultural and religious assimilation, would inevitably lead to severe divine judgment and the loss of the very land God had graciously given them ([Joshua 23:15-16](/joshua/23-15-16 "Consequences of Breaking God's Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go back (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** Derived from H7725, this verb fundamentally signifies to turn back, return, or retreat. In the spiritual context of Joshua 23:12, it carries the profound implication of apostasy – a deliberate and conscious turning away from God. It suggests a regression from Israel's covenant obligations and a reversal of their commitment to Yahweh, indicating a conscious choice to abandon the principles and practices that define them as God's chosen people. This is not a passive drifting but an active departure.
* **Cleave unto (Hebrew, _dâbaq'_):** From H1692, this word denotes a strong sense of clinging, sticking to, joining, or being intimately attached. Its usage here is particularly striking because it is famously employed in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Man shall cleave to his wife") to describe the profound, inseparable bond between a husband and wife. Applied to "cleaving" to pagan nations, it highlights the deep, intimate, and committed relationship that would develop through intermarriage and social integration, a bond so powerful it would inevitably lead to spiritual infidelity and the adoption of foreign gods, displacing their primary loyalty to Yahweh.
* **Make marriages (Hebrew, _châthan'_):** This verb, from H2859, specifically refers to the act of becoming related by marriage or forming marriage alliances. It is a direct and explicit reference to intermarriage, an act strictly forbidden by God due to its inherent danger of leading Israel into idolatry and moral corruption. This act was not merely a social custom but a profound theological compromise, blurring the lines between the holy and the profane and directly undermining Israel's unique covenant identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Else if ye do in any wise go back,"**: This opening phrase establishes a stark conditional warning. The "Else if" (וְאִם־בּוֹא֩ תָשׁוּבוּ֩, _wə’im-bō’ tāšūḇū_) introduces a hypothetical, yet prophetically certain, scenario of departure from the path of obedience outlined in the preceding verses. The emphatic repetition inherent in "do in any wise go back" underscores the certainty and deliberateness of this turning away, suggesting a conscious and complete reversal of their allegiance to God. It posits a future where Israel willingly deviates from their covenant.
* **"and cleave unto the remnant of these nations,"**: This clause precisely specifies the nature of the "going back." Instead of clinging to God, Israel is warned against forming deep, intimate, and committed bonds with the remaining Canaanite peoples. "Cleave unto" (וְדָבַקְתֶּם, _wəḏāḇaqtem_) implies a profound spiritual and social attachment, a loyalty that would inevitably displace their primary allegiance to Yahweh. The "remnant of these nations" refers to those indigenous groups not fully dispossessed, who still posed a persistent and insidious spiritual threat.
* **"[even] these that remain among you,"**: This parenthetical phrase serves to further clarify and emphasize the identity and proximity of the dangerous nations. It highlights that the spiritual peril is not from distant, external enemies but from those who are in close proximity, integrated into their daily lives and communities. This intimate proximity makes the temptation to assimilate all the more potent, pervasive, and insidious, as it arises from within their own sphere.
* **"and shall make marriages with them,"**: This clause pinpoints the primary, explicit mechanism of this "cleaving" and assimilation: intermarriage. "Make marriages" (וְהִתְחַתַּנְתֶּם, _wəhiṯḥattanətem_) is a direct and unambiguous reference to forming marital alliances, which were strictly forbidden because they would inevitably lead to the adoption of pagan religious practices, the worship of foreign deities, and the dilution of Israel's monotheistic faith and unique identity.
* **"and go in unto them, and they to you:"**: This concluding phrase describes the full extent and reciprocal nature of the intimate relationship and integration that would result from such forbidden marriages. "Go in unto them" (וּבָאתֶם בָּהֶם, _ūḇā’ṯem bāhem_) refers not only to sexual intimacy within marriage but also broadly to full social, cultural, and spiritual integration. The reciprocal "and they to you" emphasizes the mutual merging and assimilation, where both parties fully intertwine, leading to the complete erosion of Israel's distinctiveness, spiritual purity, and covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 23:12 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and dire warning. The entire verse functions as a **Conditional Clause**, introduced by the emphatic "Else if," which meticulously sets up a clear and unavoidable cause-and-effect relationship: if Israel compromises its covenant fidelity, severe negative consequences will inevitably follow. This precise grammatical structure powerfully emphasizes the agency of the people and the direct, inescapable link between their actions and their destiny. The verse is also a profound **Warning**, delivered with a solemn, prophetic, and deeply pastoral tone, reflecting Joshua's profound concern for the nation's future spiritual well-being and their continued relationship with Yahweh. There is a strong element of **Repetition** and **Emphasis** in the phrase "remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you," which serves to underscore the persistent and insidious presence of the spiritual threat and the constant, pervasive temptation to compromise their distinct identity. Finally, the strategic use of **Figurative Language** is strikingly evident in the phrase "cleave unto." While literally referring to forming close bonds, it carries a deep metaphorical and theological weight, likening the spiritual attachment to pagan nations to the intimate and covenantal bond of marriage, thereby highlighting the profound spiritual infidelity and idolatry inherent in such forbidden relationships.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 23:12 stands as a foundational text for comprehending the Old Testament's unwavering emphasis on Israel's unique identity and sacred calling as God's chosen people. It vividly portrays the insidious dangers of spiritual compromise and the pervasive nature of assimilation, demonstrating with chilling clarity how seemingly social decisions like intermarriage could directly undermine their exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. The verse articulates the profound theological principle that God's people are called to be distinct, set apart for His holy purposes, and that any blending or syncretism with unholy influences inevitably leads to apostasy, idolatry, and divine judgment. This potent warning serves as a crucial theological anchor, providing a profound explanation for the recurring cycles of sin, apostasy, and judgment that characterize Israel's history, particularly as depicted in the book of Judges and beyond, where the tragic failure to heed this very warning led to widespread idolatry, moral decay, and subsequent oppression.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Do not intermarry with them, for they will turn your children away")
* [Judges 3:5-7](/judges/3-5-7 "Israel intermarries with the nations and serves their gods")
* [Nehemiah 13:23-27](/nehemiah/13-23-27 "Nehemiah confronts the sin of intermarriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua's urgent warning in verse 12 resonates powerfully with believers today, transcending its ancient historical context to offer timeless and immutable principles for spiritual purity and unwavering fidelity to God. While New Covenant believers are no longer bound by the Old Covenant law concerning physical separation from specific nations, the underlying spiritual principle remains profoundly relevant: a divine call to be distinct, consecrated, and set apart for God in a world that increasingly contradicts and actively opposes biblical values. We are perpetually tempted to "go back" or "cleave unto" cultural norms, prevailing ideologies, societal pressures, or even intimate relationships that subtly or overtly draw our hearts away from our supreme allegiance to Christ. This verse serves as a piercing challenge, compelling us to critically examine our closest relationships, our media consumption habits, our career pursuits, and our recreational choices, asking with brutal honesty whether these aspects of our lives are leading us closer to God or subtly compromising our devotion and spiritual integrity. True spiritual vitality and a vibrant witness in the world necessitate intentional separation from anything that would dilute our faith, corrupt our morals, or diminish our effectiveness as Christ's ambassadors, ensuring that our primary allegiance remains undivided and solely fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "cleaving unto" influences, relationships, or ideologies that subtly, yet powerfully, draw me away from my unwavering commitment to Christ?**
* **How does the principle of "separation" articulated in [Joshua 23:12](/joshua/23-12 "Joshua's Warning Against Assimilation") apply to a New Testament believer navigating the complexities of a diverse, pluralistic, and often secular society?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I implement to actively guard against spiritual assimilation and purposefully maintain a distinct, Christ-like witness in my daily interactions and life choices?**
* **How do my choices regarding intimate relationships (including romantic partnerships, closest friendships, and significant business partnerships) authentically reflect my primary and undivided allegiance to God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "cleaving" to other nations in Joshua 23:12, especially considering its use elsewhere in the Bible?**

Answer: The significance of "cleaving" (Hebrew, _dabaq_, H1692) in [Joshua 23:12](/joshua/23-12 "Joshua's Warning Against Assimilation") is profoundly impactful precisely because it employs a term typically reserved for the most deep, intimate, and covenantal bonds. Most notably, _dabaq_ is used in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Man shall cleave to his wife") to describe the profound, inseparable union between a husband and wife, a relationship of ultimate loyalty and intimacy. By applying this very term to Israel's potential relationship with the pagan nations, Joshua dramatically underscores the severe spiritual danger. He implies that forming such close ties, particularly through intermarriage and full social and cultural integration, would inevitably lead to a misplaced loyalty and a devastating spiritual infidelity. Instead of clinging exclusively to Yahweh, their covenant God, Israel would be forming an equally strong, yet idolatrous and forbidden, bond with those who worshipped false gods and practiced abhorrent customs. This "cleaving" would transcend a mere social act; it would signify a deep spiritual commitment that would corrupt their monotheistic faith, provoke divine judgment, and ultimately lead to their undoing, as tragically seen repeatedly in the subsequent history of Israel documented in the book of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Joshua 23:12](/joshua/23-12 "Joshua's Warning Against Assimilation") served as a critical warning to ancient Israel against physical and spiritual assimilation with pagan nations, its core principle finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment and transformative application in the New Covenant. Jesus Christ Himself embodies the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant faithfulness, perfectly demonstrating unwavering devotion and singular allegiance to the Father, even to the point of sacrificial death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience and Humiliation")). Believers in Christ are called to a new, spiritual form of "separation" – not from geographical nations, but from the spiritual idolatry, moral corruption, and ungodly values of the world system ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Do Not Be Conformed to This World")). We are now commanded to "cleave unto" Christ alone, recognizing Him as the true vine from whom all spiritual life, sustenance, and fruitfulness flow ([John 15:4-5](/john/15-4-5 "Abide in Me")). The New Testament echoes Joshua's concern for spiritual purity and undivided allegiance by explicitly warning against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers, particularly in intimate partnerships, lest our devotion be compromised and our witness diluted ([2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14-18 "Do Not Be Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers")). Through Christ's atoning work, believers are made holy, justified, and set apart for God's redemptive purposes, becoming a spiritual temple where God Himself dwells by His Spirit ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). Thus, the ancient warning to Israel against spiritual compromise becomes a vibrant call for New Covenant believers to live in radical, exclusive devotion to Christ, diligently guarding their hearts against anything that would draw them away from their ultimate "cleaving" to Him, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and is worthy of all our worship and loyalty ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 7:3

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

Zephaniah 1:6

And them that are turned back from the LORD; and [those] that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.

Ezekiel 18:24

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

2 Peter 2:18

For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Genesis 34:3

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

1 Kings 11:4

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.