King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:17 Mean?

Joshua 24:17 in the King James Version says “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, a... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Joshua 24:17 · KJV


Context

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.

19

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD our God, he it is that brought us up...out of the land of Egypt—Israel grounds their covenant loyalty in remembered redemption, reciting the Exodus (yetsi'at Mitzrayim) as their foundational identity. The phrase from the house of bondage (מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים, mibbeit avadim) is covenant formula language (Exodus 20:2, Deuteronomy 5:6), literally 'house of slaves,' defining Israel's past and obligating grateful service.

Those great signs (הָאֹתוֹת הַגְּדֹלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, ha'otot haggedolot ha'eleh) refers to the ten plagues—God's visible demonstration of power over Egyptian gods. The people's recitation follows Deuteronomy's pattern of teaching children redemptive history (6:20-25). Yet memory alone doesn't guarantee faithfulness—these same people who 'saw' God's works rebelled repeatedly (Psalm 78:32-37).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Exodus (circa 1446 BC) occurred approximately 40 years before this covenant renewal. The generation making this confession were children or unborn during Egypt's bondage—their testimony depends on transmitted memory and Passover rehearsal, not personal experience. This demonstrates covenant faith's intergenerational nature.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you 'remember' redemptive acts of God you didn't personally witness—through Scripture, testimony, sacraments—and how does this remembered grace shape present obedience?
  2. What role does regular rehearsal of God's past faithfulness (in corporate worship, family devotions, personal reflection) play in sustaining covenant commitment during present trials?
  3. Why did visible demonstration of God's power ('great signs') fail to produce lasting faithfulness in Israel, and what does this teach about the relationship between evidence and genuine faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
כִּ֚י1 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְהוָ֣ה2 of 30

For the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ3 of 30

our God

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

הוּא֩4 of 30
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֨ה5 of 30

he it is that brought us up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֹתָ֧נוּ6 of 30
H853

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

וְאֶת7 of 30
H853

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

אֲבוֹתֵ֛ינוּ8 of 30

and our fathers

H1

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

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ9 of 30

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֖יִם10 of 30

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

מִבֵּ֣ית11 of 30

from the house

H1004

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

עֲבָדִ֑ים12 of 30

of bondage

H5650

a servant

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר13 of 30
H834

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

עָשָׂ֣ה14 of 30

and which did

H6213

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

לְעֵינֵ֗ינוּ15 of 30

in our sight

H5869

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

אֶת16 of 30
H853

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

הָֽאֹת֤וֹת17 of 30

signs

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

הַגְּדֹלוֹת֙18 of 30

those great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הָאֵ֔לֶּה19 of 30
H428

these or those

וַֽיִּשְׁמְרֵ֗נוּ20 of 30

and preserved

H8104

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

בְּכָל21 of 30
H3605

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

הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙22 of 30

us in all the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲשֶׁ֣ר23 of 30
H834

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

הָלַ֣כְנוּ24 of 30

wherein we went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בָ֔הּ25 of 30
H0
וּבְכֹל֙26 of 30
H3605

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

הָֽעַמִּ֔ים27 of 30

and among all the people

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר28 of 30
H834

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

עָבַ֖רְנוּ29 of 30

whom we passed

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּקִרְבָּֽם׃30 of 30

through

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)


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 24:17 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 24:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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