Bible Strands
Joshua 24:23
“Now, therefore,” he said, “get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua addresses the assembled tribes of Israel at Shechem immediately after they formally acknowledged their choice to serve the Lord. He issues this command as a concluding directive before their final pledge of obedience.
The words — The imperative הָסִ֛ירוּ (ha.Siru) means "remove," paired with וְ/הַטּוּ (ve.Hatu), meaning "turn" or "incline." These verbs frame the transition from idolatry to exclusive devotion.
The thread — This call to purge foreign gods recurs in Joshua 24:14, Genesis 35:2, and 2 Corinthians 6:16 regarding separation from idolatry. The motif establishes a consistent biblical pattern of covenant renewal requiring exclusive allegiance.
Why it lands — The text demands the practical removal of competing loyalties and the deliberate redirection of devotion toward Yahweh alone. It requires the reader to examine what currently divides their allegiance and to choose unreserved commitment.
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
King James Version
Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.
Cross-references
- Joshua 24:14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
- Genesis 35:2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
- Judges 10:15 “We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!”
- 1 Samuel 7:3 Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
- Proverbs 2:2 if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
- Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
- Exodus 20:23 You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold.
- 1 Kings 8:58 May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers.
- Psalms 119:36 Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.