King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:16 Mean?

Joshua 24:16 in the King James Version says “And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 24:16 · KJV

Context

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:

18

And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God forbid that we should forsake the LORD (חָלִילָה לָּנוּ מֵעֲזֹב אֶת־יְהוָה, chalilah lanu me'azov et-YHWH)—The people's emphatic response uses chalilah ('far be it from us'), the strongest Hebrew expression of rejection, like Abraham's protest in Genesis 18:25. Their declaration echoes the Shema's exclusive devotion (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

Yet this passionate pledge, made at Shechem's covenant renewal, tragically proved hollow—Judges 2:10-13 records the next generation's immediate apostasy. Their confidence was sincere but self-deluded, illustrating what Jesus warned in Matthew 26:33-35 when Peter swore undying loyalty. Covenantal faithfulness requires divine grace, not merely human resolve.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse comes from Joshua's farewell address at Shechem (circa 1406 BC), the same location where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7) and where Jacob buried foreign gods (Genesis 35:2-4). The covenant renewal ceremony deliberately evoked Israel's patriarchal heritage.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you made passionate spiritual commitments that later proved harder to keep than expected, and what does this reveal about the difference between human willpower and dependence on God's grace?
  2. How does the tragic irony of Israel's confident pledge followed by immediate apostasy (Judges 2) challenge overly optimistic assessments of our own spiritual strength?
  3. What practical safeguards—accountability, spiritual disciplines, community involvement—help translate sincere covenant commitments into sustained faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיַּ֤עַן1 of 11

“answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

הָעָם֙2 of 11

“And the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיֹּ֔אמֶר3 of 11

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חָלִ֣ילָה4 of 11

“God forbid”

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

לָּ֔נוּ5 of 11
H0
מֵֽעֲזֹ֖ב6 of 11

“that we should forsake”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת7 of 11
H853

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

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 11

“the LORD”

H3068

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

לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד9 of 11

“to serve”

H5647

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

אֱלֹהִ֥ים10 of 11

“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

אֲחֵרִֽים׃11 of 11

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

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 24:16 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 24:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:38-391 Samuel 12:23Romans 6:2Romans 3:6

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