Joshua 23:7 - that you not come 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 to them;
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Joshua 23:7" mean?
Joshua 23:7 is a warning to the Israelites to remain separate from the pagan nations that were still living amongst them after the conquest of Canaan. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"that you not come among these nations, these that remain among you": This means the Israelites should avoid integrating, intermingling, or assimilating with the Canaanite people who were not completely driven out of the land. This is not just about physical proximity, but also about adopting their culture and customs.
"neither make mention of the name of their gods": This goes beyond simply not worshiping the pagan gods. It means avoiding even speaking their names. This reinforces the idea of separation and preventing any unintentional or casual association with those false deities. It's about guarding their hearts and minds.
"nor cause to swear by them": To swear by a god was a serious matter in ancient times. It implied acknowledging that god's power and authority. This commandment forbids using the names of other gods in oaths or pledges, as this would be a form of recognition and honoring them.
"neither serve them": This is a direct prohibition against worshiping or offering sacrifices to the pagan gods. It encompasses any act of religious devotion directed toward these false deities.
"nor bow down yourselves to them": This is a physical act of worship, signifying submission and reverence. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining exclusive devotion to the one true God, Yahweh.
In essence, this verse is a comprehensive directive to avoid any contact or association with pagan religions and practices. The goal was to protect the Israelites from being seduced away from their covenant relationship with God and falling into idolatry. It was a key aspect of maintaining their identity as God's chosen people and preserving the purity of their worship.
Joshua 23:7 - that you not come 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 to them;
What does "Joshua 23:7" mean?
Joshua 23:7 is a warning to the Israelites to remain separate from the pagan nations that were still living amongst them after the conquest of Canaan. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"that you not come among these nations, these that remain among you": This means the Israelites should avoid integrating, intermingling, or assimilating with the Canaanite people who were not completely driven out of the land. This is not just about physical proximity, but also about adopting their culture and customs.
"neither make mention of the name of their gods": This goes beyond simply not worshiping the pagan gods. It means avoiding even speaking their names. This reinforces the idea of separation and preventing any unintentional or casual association with those false deities. It's about guarding their hearts and minds.
"nor cause to swear by them": To swear by a god was a serious matter in ancient times. It implied acknowledging that god's power and authority. This commandment forbids using the names of other gods in oaths or pledges, as this would be a form of recognition and honoring them.
"neither serve them": This is a direct prohibition against worshiping or offering sacrifices to the pagan gods. It encompasses any act of religious devotion directed toward these false deities.
"nor bow down yourselves to them": This is a physical act of worship, signifying submission and reverence. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining exclusive devotion to the one true God, Yahweh.
In essence, this verse is a comprehensive directive to avoid any contact or association with pagan religions and practices. The goal was to protect the Israelites from being seduced away from their covenant relationship with God and falling into idolatry. It was a key aspect of maintaining their identity as God's chosen people and preserving the purity of their worship.