Joshua 24:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְגָ֨רֶשׁ
drave out
H1644
וַיְגָ֨רֶשׁ
drave out
Strong's:
H1644
Word #:
1 of 18
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעַמִּ֗ים
us all the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֗ים
us all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֛י
even the Amorites
H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֛י
even the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
7 of 18
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
which dwelt
H3427
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
which dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מִפָּנֵ֑ינוּ
from before
H6440
מִפָּנֵ֑ינוּ
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נַֽעֲבֹ֣ד
therefore will we also serve
H5647
נַֽעֲבֹ֣ד
therefore will we also serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
13 of 18
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
The Amorites were a major Canaanite people group. Their expulsion fulfilled God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:16) that judgment would come when 'the iniquity of the Amorites is full.' Archaeological evidence shows widespread destruction of Canaanite cities in the late Bronze Age (circa 1400-1200 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How can you tell whether your service to God is motivated by genuine love for Him or primarily by the benefits and blessings He provides?
- What happens to 'therefore' theology when God's benefits seem to disappear or when faithfulness brings suffering rather than prosperity?
- How does understanding Canaan's conquest as divine judgment on accumulated wickedness inform Christian views on God's patience, justice, and the reality of final judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD drave out from before us all the people—Israel correctly attributes conquest success not to military prowess but to YHWH's direct intervention. The verb garash ('drive out') appears throughout conquest accounts, emphasizing that God expelled Canaan's inhabitants as judge executing sentence on accumulated iniquity (Genesis 15:16).
Therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God—The logical connector 'therefore' (gam, 'also/indeed') makes covenant service a response to received benefits. Yet this conditionality exposes the people's shallow theology—they'll serve God because He's proven useful. True covenant love serves God for His own sake, not merely for benefits. When trials came (Judges 2:15), this mercenary devotion collapsed.