Joshua 24:16
And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֤עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֤עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 11
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,
הָעָם֙
And the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
And the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 11
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
חָלִ֣ילָה
God forbid
H2486
חָלִ֣ילָה
God forbid
Strong's:
H2486
Word #:
4 of 11
literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!
מֵֽעֲזֹ֖ב
that we should forsake
H5800
מֵֽעֲזֹ֖ב
that we should forsake
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
6 of 11
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד
to serve
H5647
לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד
to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
9 of 11
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- 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?
- 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?
- What practical safeguards—accountability, spiritual disciplines, community involvement—help translate sincere covenant commitments into sustained faithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.