King James Version

What Does Joshua 23:6 Mean?

Joshua 23:6 in the King James Version says “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;”

Joshua 23:6 · KJV

Context

4

Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward . westward: Heb. at the sunset

5

And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

6

Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

7

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:

8

But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. But cleave: or, For if ye will cleave, etc

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; 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:

Joshua redefines courage—not as military bravery but as covenant faithfulness. The command "be very courageous" (chazaqtem me'od, חֲזַקְתֶּם מְאֹד) uses the same verb God spoke to Joshua (1:6-9), but here applied to keeping the law rather than fighting enemies. This reveals that the greatest courage required isn't facing human armies but resisting cultural compromise and religious syncretism. Standing firm against subtle cultural accommodation requires more sustained courage than one-time military heroism.

The phrase "turn not aside... to the right hand or to the left" uses language from Deuteronomy 5:32 and 28:14, describing total obedience without deviation, addition, or subtraction. Reformed theology's regulative principle of worship applies this standard: churches must worship as God commands, neither omitting required elements (turning left) nor adding unauthorized innovations (turning right). The narrow path (Matthew 7:14) requires precision—deviating toward legalism or license both lead to destruction.

The specific warning against making "mention of the name of their gods" addresses how subtly compromise begins. Joshua doesn't merely warn against worshiping Canaanite deities (that would be obvious apostasy) but against even casual mention of their names—acknowledging their existence, discussing them as viable alternatives, or treating them with respect rather than contempt (Exodus 23:13). This teaches that compromise begins not with outright rejection of God but with entertaining alternatives, with treating false religion as legitimate option rather than dangerous delusion deserving denunciation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The command "come not among these nations" (lavo ba'goyim ha'eleh, לָבוֹא בַּגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה) literally means "do not enter among these nations," prohibiting social integration that would lead to religious assimilation. Ancient Near Eastern culture was intensely religious—every social interaction involved some religious dimension. Business contracts invoked patron deities, marriages celebrated with pagan rituals, festivals honored Canaanite gods. To "come among" these nations meant inevitable exposure to and pressure toward participation in pagan practices.

The progression Joshua outlines—mentioning their gods' names, swearing by them, serving them, bowing to them—describes a typical declension from toleration to adoption. Each step seems minor: acknowledging Baal exists, using common oaths invoking other deities, participating in community festivals, and finally actual worship. This pattern appears repeatedly in Judges as Israel gradually absorbed Canaanite religion. The warning proved tragically prescient—Israel's failure to maintain separation led to the syncretism that eventually brought divine judgment and exile.

Archaeological evidence from Iron Age Israel confirms religious syncretism was constant temptation. Excavations at various sites have uncovered Canaanite religious objects in Israelite contexts—Asherah poles, fertility figurines, altars to Baal—demonstrating that Joshua's concerns were well-founded. The Israelites did intermix with Canaanites (Judges 3:5-6), did intermarry (Judges 3:6), and did worship their gods (Judges 2:11-13), producing the covenant violations Joshua foresaw and warned against.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua's redefinition of courage from military valor to covenant faithfulness challenge our contemporary understanding of Christian courage?
  2. What subtle compromises with cultural values (our equivalent of "mentioning gods' names") might lead to eventual full embrace of anti-Christian worldviews?
  3. How can we maintain cultural engagement necessary for evangelism while avoiding the religious/moral syncretism Joshua warns against?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַֽחֲזַקְתֶּ֣ם1 of 15

“courageous”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

מְאֹ֔ד2 of 15

“Be ye therefore very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

לִשְׁמֹ֣ר3 of 15

“to keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

וְלַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת4 of 15

“and to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֵ֚ת5 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל6 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכָּת֔וּב7 of 15

“all that is written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בְּסֵ֖פֶר8 of 15

“in the book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

תּוֹרַ֣ת9 of 15

“of the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

מֹשֶׁ֑ה10 of 15

“of Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לְבִלְתִּ֥י11 of 15
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

סוּר12 of 15

“that ye turn”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ13 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

יָמִ֥ין14 of 15

“not aside therefrom to the right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃15 of 15

“or to the left”

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 23:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 23:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:14Deuteronomy 5:32Hebrews 12:4Proverbs 4:26-27Ephesians 6:10-19Deuteronomy 12:32

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