Joshua 23:7

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Joshua addresses the Israelite tribal leaders near the end of his life, just as the conquest of Canaan is winding down. He issues this command as part of his final charge to preserve covenant identity after the tribes settle in the land.

The words — The Hebrew phrase לְבִלְתִּי (lebilti) literally means "to not," establishing a strict prohibition. The term הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים (hanish'arim) translates to "the remaining," referring specifically to the Canaanite nations that were not fully driven out.

The thread — This prohibition against social and religious integration echoes Exodus 23:13 and Deuteronomy 7:2, while the warning against invoking foreign gods aligns with Psalms 16:4. The command directly follows Joshua 23:6's charge to hold fast to the Law and precedes Joshua 23:8's command to hold fast to the Lord.

Why it lands — The text demands exclusive covenant loyalty by forbidding association with remaining pagan groups and banning any ritual acknowledgment of their deities. It requires the reader to actively separate from syncretism and maintain unbroken devotion to the God of Israel.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

לְבִלְתִּי־le./vil.ti-to/ not בוֹא֙Vo'to go בַּגּוֹיִ֣םba./go.Yimamong the/ nations הָאֵ֔לֶּהha./'E.leh<the>/ these הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥יםha./nish.'a.Rimwhich/ remain הָאֵ֖לֶּהha./'E.leh<the>/ these אִתְּכֶ֑ם'i.te./Khemwith/ you וּבְשֵׁ֨םu./ve./Shemand/ <in>/ [the] name of אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֤ם'e.lo.hei./Hemgods/ their לֹא־lo'-not תַזְכִּ֙ירוּ֙taz.Ki.ruyou must bring to remembrance וְלֹ֣אve./Lo'and/ not תַשְׁבִּ֔יעוּtash.Bi.'uyou must cause to swear וְלֹ֣אve./Lo'and/ not תַעַבְד֔וּםta.'av.Du/myou must serve/ them וְלֹ֥אve./Lo'and/ not תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּtish.ta.cha.Vuyou must bow downלָהֶֽם׃la./Hemto <the>/ them

King James Version

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:

Cross-references

Exodus 23:13 Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips.
Psalms 16:4 Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips.
Deuteronomy 7:2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.
Jeremiah 5:7 “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.
Exodus 23:33 They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”
Joshua 23:12 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,
Proverbs 4:14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
Zephaniah 1:5 those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?