King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:22 Mean?

Joshua 24:22 in the King James Version says “And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.”

Joshua 24:22 · KJV

Context

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.

22

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.

23

Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.

24

And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye are witnesses against yourselves (עֵדִים אַתֶּם בָּכֶם, edim atem bachem)—Joshua makes the people edim ('witnesses') testifying against themselves, a legal concept where one's own words provide evidence for judgment (Job 15:6, Luke 19:22). Their confession that ye have chosen you the LORD establishes culpability—apostasy will be willful violation, not ignorance.

This self-testimony echoes Moses' practice (Deuteronomy 30:19, 31:26-28) of calling heaven and earth as witnesses. When Israel later served Baals (Judges 2:11-13), their own covenant pledges condemned them. This prefigures final judgment where every mouth will be stopped (Romans 3:19) and people's own words justify condemnation (Matthew 12:37). The cross resolves this dilemma—Christ bore the witness-testimony against His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaties regularly included witness clauses invoking gods, natural elements, or the treaty itself as testimony. Deuteronomy 31:26 made the Torah itself a witness. Joshua's innovation makes the people their own witnesses, increasing personal accountability through self-testimony.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do your public professions of faith—baptism, membership vows, testimonies, prayers—serve as 'witnesses' that will either confirm genuine discipleship or expose hypocrisy?
  2. In what sense does every human being serve as a witness 'against themselves' in final judgment, and how does Romans 1:18-20 relate to this principle?
  3. How does Christ's bearing the covenant curse as our substitute (Galatians 3:13) transform the terrifying reality of self-condemning testimony into assurance for believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ1 of 17

“him And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ2 of 17

“And Joshua”

H3091

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

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֗ם4 of 17

“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

עֵדִֽים׃5 of 17

“We are witnesses”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

אַתֶּם֙6 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָּכֶ֔ם7 of 17
H0
כִּֽי8 of 17
H3588

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

אַתֶּ֞ם9 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בְּחַרְתֶּ֥ם10 of 17

“against yourselves that ye have chosen”

H977

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

לָכֶ֛ם11 of 17
H0
אֶת12 of 17
H853

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

יְהוָ֖ה13 of 17

“you the LORD”

H3068

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

לַֽעֲבֹ֣ד14 of 17

“to serve”

H5647

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

אוֹת֑וֹ15 of 17
H853

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

וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ16 of 17

“him And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֵדִֽים׃17 of 17

“We are witnesses”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

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 24:22 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 24:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:173Psalms 119:11Luke 10:42Job 15:6Deuteronomy 26:17Luke 19:22

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