King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:19 Mean?

Joshua 24:19 in the King James Version says “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 forgi...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 24:19 · KJV

Forgiveness

Context

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.

20

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

21

And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's shocking statement challenges Israel's presumptuous covenant confidence. The declaration 'Ye cannot serve the LORD' (lo tukhlu laavod et-Yahweh, לֹא תוּכְלוּ לַעֲבֹד אֶת־יְהוָה) contradicts their confident assertion 'we will serve the LORD' (verse 18). This isn't discouragement but realistic assessment of human inability apart from divine grace. The threefold description explains why: 'he is an holy God' (Elohim qedoshim hu, אֱלֹהִים קְדשִׁים הוּא)—His absolute moral purity tolerates no sin. 'He is a jealous God' (El qanno hu, אֵל קַנּוֹא הוּא)—He demands exclusive worship, accepting no rivals. 'He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins' (lo yissa lepishekhem ulechatoteikhem, לֹא יִשָּׂא לְפִשְׁעֵיכֶם וּלְחַטֹּאתֵיכֶם)—persistent rebellion exhausts divine patience. Joshua warns that serving God requires transformation they cannot achieve through willpower. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates total depravity and the necessity of sovereign grace—humans cannot serve God truly apart from regeneration. Joshua prophetically warns of their future apostasy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's history tragically vindicated Joshua's warning. Judges records repeated apostasy cycles, culminating in northern kingdom exile (722 BCE) and Judah's exile (586 BCE)—exactly as Joshua predicted. The phrase 'will not forgive' doesn't deny God's mercy but warns against presuming on grace while persisting in rebellion. God forgives repentant sinners but judges unrepentant apostates. Joshua's realism contrasts with Israel's superficial confidence, exposing human tendency toward self-righteousness. This passage doesn't teach that God never forgives but that serving God requires more than human effort—divine enablement is essential. The exchange (verses 16-24) shows Joshua testing Israel's commitment, ensuring they counted the cost of covenant loyalty.

Reflection Questions

  1. What presumptuous confidence about serving God needs Joshua's realistic challenge about your inability apart from grace?
  2. How does God's holiness and jealousy challenge comfortable, casual approaches to worship?
  3. Where are you trusting your own willpower rather than depending on God's transforming grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 20

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ2 of 20

“And Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֗ם4 of 20

“unto the people”

H5971

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

לֹ֤א5 of 20
H3808

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

תֽוּכְלוּ֙6 of 20

“Ye cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לַֽעֲבֹ֣ד7 of 20

“serve”

H5647

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

אֶת8 of 20
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּֽי10 of 20
H3588

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

אֱלֹהִ֥ים11 of 20

“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

קְדֹשִׁ֖ים12 of 20

“for he is an holy”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

ה֑וּא13 of 20
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

אֵל14 of 20

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

קַנּ֣וֹא15 of 20

“he is a jealous”

H7072

jealous or angry

ה֔וּא16 of 20
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

לֹֽא17 of 20
H3808

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

יִשָּׂ֥א18 of 20

“he will not forgive”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

לְפִשְׁעֲכֶ֖ם19 of 20

“your transgressions”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

וּלְחַטֹּֽאותֵיכֶֽם׃20 of 20

“nor your sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

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 24:19 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 24:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 23:21Isaiah 5:16Psalms 99:5Psalms 99:9Leviticus 19:2Exodus 20:5

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