Joshua 23:8

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

But cleave {H1692} unto the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, as ye have done {H6213} unto this day {H3117}.

but cling to ADONAI your God, as you have done to this day.

Instead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.

but cleave unto Jehovah your God, as ye have done unto this day.

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 23:8 (KJV)

Joshua 23:8, from the King James Version, presents a powerful and enduring call to faithfulness: "But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day." This verse is a concise summary of Joshua's final charge to the people of Israel, urging them to maintain their devotion to God.

Context

This verse is part of Joshua's valedictory address to the leaders, elders, judges, and officers of Israel, delivered as he neared the end of his life (see Joshua 23:1-2). Having successfully led the Israelites into the Promised Land and overseen the conquest of Canaan, Joshua reminds them of God's unwavering faithfulness and His power in fulfilling His promises. He sternly warns them against the dangers of idolatry, intermarriage with the remaining Canaanite nations, and turning away from the Lord, which would inevitably lead to severe consequences (Joshua 23:12-13). The exhortation to "cleave unto the LORD" serves as the foundational principle for their continued blessing and prosperity in the land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unwavering Devotion: The primary message is an urgent call for Israel's complete and exclusive devotion to God. It highlights the importance of maintaining a singular focus on the Lord amidst a world full of distractions and temptations.
  • Covenant Loyalty: This verse underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Just as God had been faithful to them, He expected their steadfast loyalty in return, emphasizing a deep, personal commitment rather than mere ritualistic observance.
  • Perseverance in Faith: The phrase "as ye have done unto this day" serves as both an commendation and an exhortation. It acknowledges their past faithfulness while challenging them to continue in that same spirit of obedience and adherence to God's commands, implying that faithfulness is a continuous journey, not a one-time event.
  • Warning Against Apostasy: By urging them to "cleave," Joshua implicitly warns against the ever-present danger of drifting away from God through idolatry or compromise, which was a constant struggle for Israel throughout its history.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "cleave," translated from the Hebrew verb dabaq (Χ“ΦΌΦΈΧ‘Φ·Χ§). This word signifies a deep, intimate attachment; to cling, stick to, be joined, or be glued to something. It is often used to describe the intimate bond of marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24, where a man is to "cleave unto his wife." When applied to one's relationship with God, dabaq implies wholehearted commitment, unwavering loyalty, and an inseparable bond that goes beyond mere obedience to laws. It speaks to a profound spiritual and relational devotion.

Practical Application

Joshua's charge to "cleave unto the LORD" remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It is a timeless call to:

  • Wholehearted Commitment: Our relationship with God should be one of deep devotion and loyalty, not just outward religious practice. It means prioritizing God above all else, including worldly desires and distractions.
  • Consistent Faithfulness: Like the Israelites, we are called to maintain our spiritual walk consistently, drawing strength from past experiences of God's faithfulness and striving to grow in our devotion daily.
  • Resist Compromise: In a world that often pulls us away from biblical truths and values, the command to "cleave" encourages us to stand firm against spiritual compromise and idolatry, whether it be the worship of material possessions, power, or self.
  • Seek Intimacy with God: To "cleave" is to pursue a close, personal relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and living in obedience to His will, recognizing Him as the source of life and blessing, as exhorted in Deuteronomy 30:20.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 10:20

    Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

  • Joshua 22:5

    But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

  • Deuteronomy 13:4

    Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

  • Acts 11:23

    Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

  • Deuteronomy 11:22

    For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

  • Deuteronomy 4:4

    But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God [are] alive every one of you this day.
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