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Joshua 23:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 23:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Else if ye do at all go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Else if ye do at all go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you;
Joshua 23:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9For Jehovah hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath stood before you unto this day.
10One man of you shall chase a thousand; for Jehovah your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he spake unto you.
11Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love Jehovah your God.
12Else if ye do at all go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you;
13know for a certainty that Jehovah your God will no more drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap unto you, and a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which Jehovah your God hath given you.
14And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which Jehovah your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, not one thing hath failed thereof.
15And it shall come to pass, that as all the good things are come upon you of which Jehovah your God spake unto you, so will Jehovah bring upon you all the evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which Jehovah your God hath given you.
← Joshua 23:11Joshua 23:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Else if ye do in any wise go back, etc.] From the Lord and his worship, from his word and ordinances: and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] those that remain among you; in cities not taken, or in several which the Philistines were in possession of, or lived among them as tributaries to them, if they should take to them, and be free and familiar with them, which may lead on to nearer connections in civil and religious matters: and shall make marriages with them; marry their daughters to the sons of Canaanites, or admit the daughters of Canaanites to be married to their sons: and go in unto them, and they to you; which is expressive of the consummation of marriage, and of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“BY THREATENINGS IN CASE OF DISOBEDIENCE. (Jos 23:12) Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations--As marriage connections with the idolatrous Canaanites would present many and strong temptations to transgress it, these were strictly prohibited (Exo 34:12-16; Deu 7:3). With his eye, as it were, upon those prohibitions, Joshua threatens them with the certain withdrawal of the divine aid in the further expulsion of the Canaanites (a threat founded Exo 23:33; Num 33:55; Deu 7:16). Next: Joshua Chapter 24”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Go back - From God, and from his worship and service. Joshua 23:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:12-16 Apostasy—turning away from the true God—is fatal. • Because God is holy, Joshua could speak with optimism regarding God’s promises and the good land into which God had brought them. God will not change his holy character even if his people change. The rebellion of God’s people cannot damage his holiness, but rebellion will destroy those who rebel. 23:12 Joshua warned God’s people not to intermarry with their polytheistic neighbors because such an intimate relationship would lead the Israelites astray (Deut 7:3-4). However, Canaanites who desired to worship the Lord and join God’s people were welcomed (Josh 6:25; Ruth 4:10). Race, language, and ethnicity had no bearing on God’s…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“go back: Psa 36:3, Psa 125:5; Isa 1:4; Eze 18:24; Zep 1:6; Mat 12:45; Joh 6:66; Heb 10:38, Heb 10:39; Pe2 2:18-22; Jo1 2:9 cleave: Gen 2:24, Gen 34:3; Sa1 18:1-3; Kg1 11:2; Rom 12:9 shall make: Exo 34:12-16; Deu 7:3; Kg1 11:4; Ezr 9:1, Ezr 9:2, Ezr 9:11, Ezr 9:12; Neh 13:23-26; Co2 6:14-17 Joshua 23:13”
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Related study paths

Read Joshua 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification