King James Version

What Does Joshua 23:7 Mean?

Joshua 23:7 in the King James Version says “That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor c... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 23:7 · KJV


Context

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

9

For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. For the LORD: or, Then the LORD will drive


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 issues four prohibitions governing Israel's relationship with remaining Canaanite populations. The command "come not among" (lev le-viltibole, לְבִלְתִּי־בוֹא) demands separation—not isolation from all contact but avoidance of religious and social integration that compromises covenant loyalty.

The escalating prohibitions trace the path of apostasy: (1) "make mention of the name of their gods" (tazkiru be-shem eloheihem, תַּזְכִּירוּ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵיהֶם)—even speaking pagan divine names invites mental familiarity; (2) "cause to swear by them" (tashbiu, תַּשְׁבִּיעוּ)—invoking false gods in oaths acknowledges their authority; (3) "serve them" (ta'avdum, תַעַבְדוּם) from avad (עָבַד), the same word for serving Yahweh—giving loyalty and worship; (4) "bow yourselves" (tishtachavu, תִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ)—physical prostration in worship, complete submission.

This progression mirrors the Ten Commandments' jealous exclusivity: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). The phrase "make mention of the name" deliberately contrasts with calling on Yahweh's name (Genesis 4:26; Psalm 116:13, 17). What we speak reveals and shapes heart allegiance. Jesus taught that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). Refusing even to name false gods protects covenant purity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Canaanite religion centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and various local deities. Worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and sympathetic magic aimed at manipulating divine powers for agricultural and human fertility. These practices directly contradicted Yahweh's moral character and covenant demands. Israel's temptation to syncretism—combining Yahweh worship with Canaanite practices—proved overwhelming, dominating the Judges period and eventually bringing exile.

Archaeological discoveries, including the Ras Shamra texts from Ugarit (Syria, 14th-12th centuries BCE), illuminate Canaanite mythology and religious practices. These texts describe Baal's sexual exploits, violent conflicts with other deities, and seasonal death-and-resurrection cycles tied to agricultural fertility. Such mythology sacralized immorality and naturalized violence, corrupting those who embraced it.

Joshua's prohibition against even naming false gods reflects ancient Near Eastern understanding that names carried power and significance. Speaking a deity's name acknowledged its existence and potential influence. Modern parallels exist in avoiding profanity or refusing to repeat blasphemies—recognizing that speech patterns shape thought patterns, and thought patterns shape behavior.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern equivalents to "naming false gods" might Christians need to avoid—entertainment, ideologies, or cultural practices that subtly compete with Christ's lordship?
  2. How does the progression from speaking about false gods to fully worshiping them parallel subtle compromises that gradually lead believers into serious sin?
  3. In what areas of life might you be "coming among" the world's values in ways that threaten your distinct identity as Christ's covenant people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לְבִלְתִּי1 of 18
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

בוֹא֙2 of 18

That ye come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם3 of 18

not among these nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הָאֵ֔לֶּה4 of 18
H428

these or those

הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים5 of 18

these that remain

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

הָאֵ֖לֶּה6 of 18
H428

these or those

אִתְּכֶ֑ם7 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וּבְשֵׁ֨ם8 of 18

of the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֤ם9 of 18

of their gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לֹֽא10 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַזְכִּ֙ירוּ֙11 of 18

among you neither make mention

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

וְלֹ֣א12 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַשְׁבִּ֔יעוּ13 of 18

nor cause to swear

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

וְלֹ֣א14 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעַבְד֔וּם15 of 18

by them neither serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

וְלֹ֥א16 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ17 of 18

them nor bow

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לָהֶֽם׃18 of 18
H0

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 23:7 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 23:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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