King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:15 Mean?

Joshua 24:15 in the King James Version says “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fath... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 24:15 · KJV


Context

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;

17

For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve... This climactic verse stands as Joshua's final challenge to Israel, demanding decisive commitment to the covenant God who brought them into the Promised Land. The Hebrew phrase bachar lakhem (בַּחֲרוּ לָכֶם, "choose for yourselves") emphasizes personal responsibility and active decision-making. Joshua does not present neutrality as an option—humanity must serve someone or something. The question is not whether to serve, but whom.

Joshua frames the choice starkly: the gods of Mesopotamia that Abraham's ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates (eber hanahar, עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר), the gods of the Amorites currently surrounding them, or Yahweh, the covenant God who revealed Himself through redemptive acts. The word "evil" (ra, רַע) is deliberately provocative—Joshua challenges them to admit if serving God seems burdensome or undesirable compared to idolatry's false promises.

Joshua's personal declaration—"but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"—exemplifies covenant leadership. The phrase anoki ubeiti (אָנֹכִי וּבֵיתִי, "I and my household") demonstrates that spiritual leadership begins at home. Joshua does not wait for popular consensus but establishes his family's commitment regardless of others' choices. This verse has become the definitive Old Testament statement on personal and family devotion to God, echoed in countless households throughout history as a declaration of covenant faithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This covenant renewal ceremony occurred at Shechem, a location rich with patriarchal history—where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7) and Jacob buried foreign gods (Genesis 35:2-4). By 1400 BC, Israel had completed the conquest and settlement of Canaan. Joshua, now elderly (he would soon die at age 110), gathered all Israel for this final charge.

The historical context reveals the constant threat of syncretism. The Canaanite fertility religion surrounding Israel promised agricultural prosperity through Baal worship, child sacrifice to Molech, and ritual prostitution. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer reveal the pervasive nature of these practices. The "gods your fathers served beyond the River" refers to the Mesopotamian pantheon that Abraham's family worshiped in Ur before God's call (Joshua 24:2).

Joshua's challenge comes after rehearsing Israel's entire redemptive history (Joshua 24:2-13), demonstrating God's faithfulness through Abraham's call, Egyptian deliverance, wilderness provision, and Canaanite conquest. The phrase "choose this day" creates urgency—decisions cannot be postponed. Ancient Near Eastern covenant renewal ceremonies typically included historical recitation, stipulations, and oath-taking, which Joshua follows here. This assembly at Shechem parallels Moses' covenant ceremony in Deuteronomy 27-30, establishing continuity between the great leaders and emphasizing that each generation must personally embrace covenant commitment.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what practical areas of your life are you tempted to 'serve' other priorities, allegiances, or desires instead of the LORD—career success, family approval, financial security, personal comfort—and what would change if you applied Joshua's declaration to those specific areas today?
  2. How does Joshua's example of leading his household in serving the LORD challenge your approach to spiritual leadership in your family, and what specific steps could you take to establish or strengthen your family's commitment to God?
  3. Joshua presents an either/or choice with no middle ground—we must serve someone. What 'functional gods' (things you trust in, pursue devotedly, or derive your identity from) compete with serving the LORD in your daily decisions and affections?
  4. The Israelites faced pressure to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. What are the contemporary equivalents—cultural values, worldviews, or practices that pressure Christians to compromise covenant faithfulness—and how can we resist syncretism in our context?
  5. Joshua's call to 'choose this day' creates urgency rather than allowing indefinite procrastination. What decision regarding whole-hearted service to God have you been postponing, and what prevents you from making that commitment today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וְאִם֩1 of 34
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

רַ֨ע2 of 34
H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּֽעֵינֵיכֶ֜ם3 of 34

whom

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

נַֽעֲבֹ֖ד4 of 34

served

H5647

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

אֶת5 of 34
H853

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

יְהוָֽה׃6 of 34

the LORD

H3068

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

בַּֽחֲר֨וּ7 of 34

choose

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

לָכֶ֣ם8 of 34
H0
הַיּוֹם֮9 of 34

you this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶת10 of 34
H853

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

מִ֣י11 of 34

unto you

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

נַֽעֲבֹ֖ד12 of 34

served

H5647

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

אִ֣ם13 of 34
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶת14 of 34
H853

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י15 of 34

or 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

אֲשֶׁר16 of 34
H834

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

נַֽעֲבֹ֖ד17 of 34

served

H5647

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

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם18 of 34

which your fathers

H1

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

אֲשֶׁר֙19 of 34
H834

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

בֵּעֵ֣בֶר20 of 34

that were 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

הַנָּהָ֔ר21 of 34

of the flood

H5104

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

וְאִם֙22 of 34
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶת23 of 34
H853

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י24 of 34

or 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

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י25 of 34

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

אֲשֶׁ֥ר26 of 34
H834

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

אַתֶּ֖ם27 of 34
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים28 of 34

ye dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּאַרְצָ֑ם29 of 34

in whose land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְאָֽנֹכִ֣י30 of 34
H595

i

וּבֵיתִ֔י31 of 34

but as for me and my house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

נַֽעֲבֹ֖ד32 of 34

served

H5647

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

אֶת33 of 34
H853

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

יְהוָֽה׃34 of 34

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 24:15 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 24:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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