Joshua 24:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֞ה
H6258
יְר֧אוּ
Now therefore fear
H3372
יְר֧אוּ
Now therefore fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 20
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעִבְד֖וּ
and serve
H5647
וְעִבְד֖וּ
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
5 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּתָמִ֣ים
him in sincerity
H8549
בְּתָמִ֣ים
him in sincerity
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
7 of 20
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
וּבֶֽאֱמֶ֑ת
and in truth
H571
וּבֶֽאֱמֶ֑ת
and in truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
8 of 20
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
the gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
the gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 20
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
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְעִבְד֖וּ
and serve
H5647
וְעִבְד֖וּ
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
13 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֜ם
which your fathers
H1
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֜ם
which your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
14 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּעֵ֤בֶר
on the other side
H5676
בְּעֵ֤בֶר
on the other side
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
הַנָּהָר֙
of the flood
H5104
הַנָּהָר֙
of the flood
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
16 of 20
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
וְעִבְד֖וּ
and serve
H5647
וְעִבְד֖וּ
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
18 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
Cross References
1 Samuel 12:24Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.Deuteronomy 10:12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,Genesis 35:2Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:Psalms 119:1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.2 Corinthians 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.Joshua 24:23Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.Ezekiel 20:18But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.Deuteronomy 18:13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.Joshua 24:2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
Historical Context
This covenant renewal occurred at Shechem near the end of Joshua's life (c. 1390-1380 BCE). Shechem held deep covenant significance—where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7) and Jacob buried foreign gods (Genesis 35:4). The mention of ancestral gods 'beyond the River' (Euphrates) indicates some Israelites retained household idols from Mesopotamian origins. Egyptian religious influence from 400 years in Egypt also persisted. Archaeological discoveries of household idols (teraphim) in Israelite sites confirm ongoing syncretism. Joshua's call echoed earlier covenant renewals (Exodus 24, Deuteronomy 29-30) and anticipated future reformations (2 Kings 23, Nehemiah 9-10). The call for 'sincerity and truth' opposed mere external compliance—God demands heart transformation, not ritual performance.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'gods your fathers served'—inherited family traditions, cultural idols—compete with exclusive worship of God?
- How does 'sincerity and truth' challenge merely external religious observance without heart transformation?
- What specific idols must you 'put away' to serve God wholeheartedly?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua's final exhortation calls Israel to exclusive covenant loyalty. The threefold command—'fear...serve...put away gods'—encompasses comprehensive devotion. The phrase 'fear the LORD' (yiru et-Yahweh, יְראוּ אֶת־יְהוָה) means reverential awe, not terror—covenant respect acknowledging God's holiness. 'Serve him in sincerity and truth' (ivdu oto betamim uveemet, עִבְדוּ אֹתוֹ בְּתָמִים וּבֶאֱמֶת) uses tamim (תָּמִים, completeness/integrity) and emet (אֱמֶת, truth/faithfulness)—demanding wholehearted, authentic worship. The command 'put away the gods' (hasiru et-elohim, הָסִירוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִים) requires active removal of idols. The reference to 'gods your fathers served beyond the flood' recalls Abraham's idolatrous background (Genesis 11:31, 12:1), while 'in Egypt' acknowledges Israel's exposure to Egyptian polytheism. Even after conquest, idolatrous tendencies persisted. Joshua demands decisive repentance. From a Reformed perspective, this shows that conversion requires turning from all rival allegiances to serve God alone—repentance and faith are inseparable.