Joshua 24:19

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ And Joshua H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ And Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 2 of 20
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
הָעָ֗ם unto the people H5971
הָעָ֗ם unto the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 4 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֽוּכְלוּ֙ Ye cannot H3201
תֽוּכְלוּ֙ Ye cannot
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 6 of 20
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לַֽעֲבֹ֣ד serve H5647
לַֽעֲבֹ֣ד serve
Strong's: H5647
Word #: 7 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִ֥ים God H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים God
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
קְדֹשִׁ֖ים for he is an holy H6918
קְדֹשִׁ֖ים for he is an holy
Strong's: H6918
Word #: 12 of 20
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
ה֑וּא H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 20
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
אֵל God H410
אֵל God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 14 of 20
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
קַנּ֣וֹא he is a jealous H7072
קַנּ֣וֹא he is a jealous
Strong's: H7072
Word #: 15 of 20
jealous or angry
ה֔וּא H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 16 of 20
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
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 17 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂ֥א he will not forgive H5375
יִשָּׂ֥א he will not forgive
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 18 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לְפִשְׁעֲכֶ֖ם your transgressions H6588
לְפִשְׁעֲכֶ֖ם your transgressions
Strong's: H6588
Word #: 19 of 20
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
וּלְחַטֹּֽאותֵיכֶֽם׃ nor your sins H2403
וּלְחַטֹּֽאותֵיכֶֽם׃ nor your sins
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 20 of 20
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

Analysis & 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection

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