King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:14 Mean?

Joshua 24:14 in the King James Version says “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.”

Joshua 24:14 · KJV

Fear & CourageTruth

Context

12

And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

13

And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

16

And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's final exhortation calls Israel to exclusive covenant loyalty. The threefold command—'fear...serve...put away gods'—encompasses comprehensive devotion. The phrase 'fear the LORD' (yiru et-Yahweh, יְראוּ אֶת־יְהוָה) means reverential awe, not terror—covenant respect acknowledging God's holiness. 'Serve him in sincerity and truth' (ivdu oto betamim uveemet, עִבְדוּ אֹתוֹ בְּתָמִים וּבֶאֱמֶת) uses tamim (תָּמִים, completeness/integrity) and emet (אֱמֶת, truth/faithfulness)—demanding wholehearted, authentic worship. The command 'put away the gods' (hasiru et-elohim, הָסִירוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִים) requires active removal of idols. The reference to 'gods your fathers served beyond the flood' recalls Abraham's idolatrous background (Genesis 11:31, 12:1), while 'in Egypt' acknowledges Israel's exposure to Egyptian polytheism. Even after conquest, idolatrous tendencies persisted. Joshua demands decisive repentance. From a Reformed perspective, this shows that conversion requires turning from all rival allegiances to serve God alone—repentance and faith are inseparable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This covenant renewal occurred at Shechem near the end of Joshua's life (c. 1390-1380 BCE). Shechem held deep covenant significance—where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7) and Jacob buried foreign gods (Genesis 35:4). The mention of ancestral gods 'beyond the River' (Euphrates) indicates some Israelites retained household idols from Mesopotamian origins. Egyptian religious influence from 400 years in Egypt also persisted. Archaeological discoveries of household idols (teraphim) in Israelite sites confirm ongoing syncretism. Joshua's call echoed earlier covenant renewals (Exodus 24, Deuteronomy 29-30) and anticipated future reformations (2 Kings 23, Nehemiah 9-10). The call for 'sincerity and truth' opposed mere external compliance—God demands heart transformation, not ritual performance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'gods your fathers served'—inherited family traditions, cultural idols—compete with exclusive worship of God?
  2. How does 'sincerity and truth' challenge merely external religious observance without heart transformation?
  3. What specific idols must you 'put away' to serve God wholeheartedly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְעַתָּ֞ה1 of 20
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יְר֧אוּ2 of 20

“Now therefore fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת3 of 20
H853

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

יְהוָֽה׃4 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְעִבְד֖וּ5 of 20

“and serve”

H5647

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

אֹת֖וֹ6 of 20
H853

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

בְּתָמִ֣ים7 of 20

“him in sincerity”

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

וּבֶֽאֱמֶ֑ת8 of 20

“and in truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וְהָסִ֣ירוּ9 of 20

“and put away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 20
H853

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

אֱלֹהִ֗ים11 of 20

“the 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

אֲשֶׁר֩12 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וְעִבְד֖וּ13 of 20

“and serve”

H5647

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

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֜ם14 of 20

“which your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּעֵ֤בֶר15 of 20

“on the other side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַנָּהָר֙16 of 20

“of the flood”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

וּבְמִצְרַ֔יִם17 of 20

“and in Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְעִבְד֖וּ18 of 20

“and serve”

H5647

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

אֶת19 of 20
H853

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

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 24:14 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 24:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 12:24Deuteronomy 10:12Genesis 35:2Joshua 24:232 Corinthians 1:12Psalms 119:1

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
EuphratesRiver · Modern: Euphrates River · 31.00°N, 47.44°E44 verses across 16 books
View all places in Joshua 24 →

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