Joshua 23:13 - know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you.
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What does "Joshua 23:13" mean?
Joshua 23:13 is a warning to the Israelites. Let's break down its meaning:
"Know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight..." This is a conditional statement. It's implied that God had been driving out the nations occupying Canaan to make way for the Israelites. However, this promise is contingent upon the Israelites remaining faithful and obedient to God's covenant. If they fail to do so, God will withdraw his active protection and intervention in their favor.
"...but they shall be a snare and a trap to you..." If the Israelites don't drive out the remaining nations and instead coexist with them, these nations will become a danger. They will lure the Israelites into idolatry and other practices that are against God's laws, acting as a trap.
"...a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes..." This is a vivid description of the constant pain and irritation these foreign nations will cause. A "scourge in your sides" suggests ongoing torment and hardship. "Thorns in your eyes" implies a persistent source of annoyance and impaired vision, hindering their ability to see clearly and maintain their focus on God.
"...until you perish from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you." This is the ultimate consequence of disobedience. If the Israelites fail to remain faithful and succumb to the influences of the surrounding nations, they will eventually be driven out of the Promised Land that God had given them.
In essence, the verse conveys the following message:
The Israelites' continued possession of the Promised Land and their well-being within it are directly dependent on their obedience to God. If they fail to drive out the remaining nations and instead assimilate their practices, those nations will become a constant source of temptation, conflict, and ultimately, lead to their downfall and exile from the land. It's a stark reminder that God's blessings are conditional and require unwavering commitment to the covenant.
Joshua 23:13 - know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you.
What does "Joshua 23:13" mean?
Joshua 23:13 is a warning to the Israelites. Let's break down its meaning:
"Know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight..." This is a conditional statement. It's implied that God had been driving out the nations occupying Canaan to make way for the Israelites. However, this promise is contingent upon the Israelites remaining faithful and obedient to God's covenant. If they fail to do so, God will withdraw his active protection and intervention in their favor.
"...but they shall be a snare and a trap to you..." If the Israelites don't drive out the remaining nations and instead coexist with them, these nations will become a danger. They will lure the Israelites into idolatry and other practices that are against God's laws, acting as a trap.
"...a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes..." This is a vivid description of the constant pain and irritation these foreign nations will cause. A "scourge in your sides" suggests ongoing torment and hardship. "Thorns in your eyes" implies a persistent source of annoyance and impaired vision, hindering their ability to see clearly and maintain their focus on God.
"...until you perish from off this good land which Yahweh your God has given you." This is the ultimate consequence of disobedience. If the Israelites fail to remain faithful and succumb to the influences of the surrounding nations, they will eventually be driven out of the Promised Land that God had given them.
In essence, the verse conveys the following message:
The Israelites' continued possession of the Promised Land and their well-being within it are directly dependent on their obedience to God. If they fail to drive out the remaining nations and instead assimilate their practices, those nations will become a constant source of temptation, conflict, and ultimately, lead to their downfall and exile from the land. It's a stark reminder that God's blessings are conditional and require unwavering commitment to the covenant.