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Joshua 23:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 23:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
Joshua 23:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3and ye have seen all that Jehovah your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for Jehovah your God, he it is that hath fought for you.
4Behold, I have allotted unto you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun.
5And Jehovah your God, he will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as Jehovah your God spake unto you.
6Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
7that ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow down yourselves unto them;
8but cleave unto Jehovah your God, as ye have done unto this day.
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.
← Joshua 23:5Joshua 23:7 →
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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
“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, etc.] To observe which required spiritual strength, fortitude of mind, a holy courage, a firm and fixed resolution, and particularly to destroy the Canaanites required in that book, and to abstain from all communion and fellowship with them: that ye turn not aside therefrom, [to] the right hand or the left; (see Gill on “<060107>Joshua 1:7”).”
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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
“Very courageous - For it will require great courage and resolution to execute all the commands of Moses, and particularly, that of expelling and destroying the residue of the Canaanites. The right hand or the left - That is, in one kind or other, by adding to the law, or diminishing from it. Joshua 23:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:6 Since before crossing the Jordan River to take the land of Canaan, Joshua’s guiding principle had been to be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote and not deviate. Now he passed on these instructions to the leaders who would succeed him in leading Israel.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“very: Jos 1:7-9; Jer 9:3; Co1 16:13; Eph 6:10-19; Heb 12:4; Rev 21:8 that ye: Deu 5:32, Deu 12:32, Deu 17:20, Deu 28:14; Pro 4:26, Pro 4:27 Joshua 23:7”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification