Joshua 23:7-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 23:1-10

As to the date of this edict of Joshua, I. No mention at all is made of the place where this general assembly was held; some think it was at Timnath-serah, Joshua's own city, where he lived, and whence, being old, he could not well remove. But it does not appear that he took so much state upon him; therefore it is more probable this meeting was at Shiloh, where the tabernacle of meeting was, and to which place, perhaps, all the males that could had now come up to worship before the Lord, at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:7

That ye come not among these nations, those that remain among you ,.... That remained unsubdued, or that were suffered to dwell among them, being tributaries to them; with these they were not to converse freely and familiarly, nor to carry on trade and commerce with them, nor enter into any alliances or marriages with them, and not even attend any of their feasts, and especially their idolatrous ones: neither make mention of the name of their gods ; not in common conversation, and still... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:8

But cleave unto the Lord your God ,.... To his word, worship, and ordinances; externally, by close adherence to them, and strict observation of them; and internally, by strong affection to him, hope, trust, and confidence in him, expectation of all good things from him, and constant application to him for help in all times of need, and a fixed dependence on him: as ye have done unto this day ; that is, since they came into the land of Canaan, and had been under the government of Joshua;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 23:7

Come not among these nations - Have no civil or social contracts with them, (see Joshua 23:12 ;), as these will infallibly lead to spiritual affinities, in consequence of which ye will make honorable mention of the name of their gods, swear by them as the judges of your motives and actions, serve them in their abominable rites, and bow yourselves unto them as your creators and preservers; thus giving the whole worship of God to idols: and all this will follow from simply coming... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 23:7

Verse 7 7.That you come not among these nations, etc He distinctly admonishes them that it will be impossible rightly to discharge their duty if they be not carefully on their guard against all sources of corruption. This it was very necessary to enforce upon them. For they were surrounded on all sides by the snares of Satan, and we know how great their proneness to superstition was, or rather how headlong their eagerness for it. First, then, he warns them that intimate intercourse with the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 23:1-16

The last words of the aged servant of God. The influence gained by a long and successful life is immense. It was so in Joshua's case, for it outlasted his life, and continued as long as any of his former colleagues and companions in arms were alive. It was only when a fresh generation arose who knew him not, save by the report of the younger men, such as Othniel, that Israel declined from the true path. Joshua's last charge, therefore, is full of interest and profit. I. HOW A LONG... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 23:6-8

Cleaving unto the Lord. I. THE DUTY . II. THE DANGER . Joshua saw that there was a danger that the people should cease to "cleave unto the Lord." This arose from various causes: III. THE MOTIVES FOR OVERCOMING THE DANGER AND FULFILLING THE DUTY . The great source of devotion is love to God. Joshua says, "Take good heed, therefore, unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God." We cannot cleave to the Lord out of a mere sense of duty. We must feel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 23:7

That ye come not among these nations (see note on Joshua 23:4 ). We can here perceive that the Israelites, though living among these nations, held no intercourse with them. Neither make mention of the name of their gods. Cf. Psalms 16:4 , which however is not a verbal quotation of this passage. The LXX . here has, καὶ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν οὐκ ὀνομασθήσεται ἐν ὐμῖν ; the Vulgate simply, "ne juretis in nomine deorum earum." The Hebrew has the signification The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 23:8

But cleave unto the Lord your God. Or, ye shall cleave unto Jehovah your God. The phrase denotes the intimate union between God and the soul (see above, and Genesis 2:24 ). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 23:7

Joshua 23:7. That ye come not among those nations That ye avoid all familiar converse and contracts, but especially marriage, with them. Neither mention the name of their gods To wit, unnecessarily and familiarly, lest the mention of them should lead to discourse about them, and so by degrees bring them to the approbation and worship of them. Nor cause to swear by them Not to require or even admit a Gentile to swear by his god, as was usual, especially in leagues and contracts; for this... read more

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