Joshua 24:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָעָ֗ם
unto the people
H5971
הָעָ֗ם
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עֵדִֽים׃
We are witnesses
H5707
עֵדִֽים׃
We are witnesses
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
5 of 17
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּחַרְתֶּ֥ם
against yourselves that ye have chosen
H977
בְּחַרְתֶּ֥ם
against yourselves that ye have chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֖ה
you the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
you the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽעֲבֹ֣ד
to serve
H5647
לַֽעֲבֹ֣ד
to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
14 of 17
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אוֹת֑וֹ
H853
אוֹת֑וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Psalms 119:173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.Psalms 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.Job 15:6Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.Luke 10:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do your public professions of faith—baptism, membership vows, testimonies, prayers—serve as 'witnesses' that will either confirm genuine discipleship or expose hypocrisy?
- 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?
- 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?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.