Joshua 23:7

That 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:

That ye come {H935} not among these nations {H1471}, these that remain {H7604} among you; neither make mention {H2142} of the name {H8034} of their gods {H430}, nor cause to swear {H7650} by them, neither serve {H5647} them, nor bow {H7812} yourselves unto them:

Then you won't become like those nations remaining among you. Don't even mention the name of their gods, let alone have people swear by them, serve them or worship them;

So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.

that 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 down yourselves unto them;

Commentary

Joshua 23:7 is part of Joshua's powerful farewell address to the leaders and people of Israel, delivered as he neared the end of his life. Having led them into the Promised Land and overseen the initial conquest, Joshua now issues solemn warnings to ensure Israel's continued faithfulness to God.

Context

At this point in Israel's history, the major military campaigns for possessing the land of Canaan were largely complete, and the tribes had received their inheritances. However, not all the indigenous nations had been fully dispossessed or driven out. Joshua's concern is that the remaining pagan populations would become a snare to Israel, leading them away from the worship of the one true God. This verse specifically outlines crucial prohibitions against assimilation and idolatry, emphasizing the need for Israel to maintain its distinct identity as God's chosen people.

Key Themes

  • Separation and Purity: The verse strongly commands Israel to remain distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. This separation was not merely physical but primarily spiritual, intended to preserve their unique relationship with Yahweh.
  • Exclusive Worship of God: It forbids any form of interaction that would acknowledge or honor the gods of the Canaanites. This reinforces the principle of monotheism—the exclusive worship of the one God—and stands against syncretism, the blending of religious beliefs.
  • Warning Against Idolatry: The specific prohibitions—"neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them"—detail the various ways Israel could fall into idolatry, from verbal acknowledgment to acts of worship.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Joshua's charge is a call to remember and uphold the covenant established at Mount Sinai, where God commanded Israel to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3).

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "nations" (Hebrew: goyim) refers to the non-Israelite peoples, specifically the remaining Canaanite inhabitants.
  • "Gods" (Hebrew: elohim) here denotes the false deities worshipped by these pagan nations, contrasting them with the true God of Israel.
  • "Serve" (Hebrew: 'abad) implies active devotion, spiritual labor, or allegiance, highlighting that worship involves more than just ritual.
  • "Bow yourselves" (Hebrew: shachah) refers to the physical act of prostration or reverence, a clear sign of worship.

Related Scriptures

Joshua's warning here echoes the foundational commands given in the Law, particularly in Deuteronomy. The emphasis on avoiding interaction with pagan practices and gods is a recurring theme, crucial for Israel's spiritual survival. For instance, the commands in Deuteronomy 7:2-5 explicitly forbid making covenants with these nations, intermarrying with them, or serving their gods. This principle of spiritual separation is also carried into the New Testament, where believers are admonished to "come out from among them, and be ye separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17), urging believers to avoid entanglement with worldly ideologies and practices that contradict God's will.

Practical Application

For believers today, Joshua 23:7 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual purity and exclusive devotion to God. While we are not dealing with literal Canaanite nations, the principle remains: we must guard against spiritual compromise and the influences of a world system that often opposes biblical values. This means:

  • Avoiding Syncretism: Not blending Christian faith with worldly philosophies or practices that diminish God's truth.
  • Guarding Our Language: Being careful not to casually invoke or give credence to non-biblical spiritual concepts or practices.
  • Exclusive Worship: Ensuring that our allegiance, service, and devotion are solely directed toward the one true God, avoiding anything that would compete for His rightful place in our lives.
  • Being Distinct: Living in a way that reflects our identity as followers of Christ, standing apart from the negative influences of culture while still engaging with people.

This verse challenges us to proactively maintain our spiritual boundaries and remain steadfast in our commitment to God, allowing Him to be supreme in every area of our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 23:13

    And in all [things] that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

  • Jeremiah 5:7

    How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by [them that are] no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

  • Deuteronomy 7:2

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • 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.

  • Psalms 16:4

    Their sorrows shall be multiplied [that] hasten [after] another [god]: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

  • Exodus 23:33

    They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

  • Proverbs 4:14

    ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men].
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