BibleWord.ai› Bible› Joshua› Chapter 24› Verse 20

Joshua 24:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 24:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If ye forsake Jehovah, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If ye forsake Jehovah, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
Joshua 24:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17for Jehovah our God, he it is that brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and that did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed;
18and Jehovah drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites that dwelt in the land: therefore we also will serve Jehovah; for he is our God.
19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins.
20If ye forsake Jehovah, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve Jehovah.
22And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you Jehovah, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
23Now therefore put away, [said he], the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto Jehovah, the God of Israel.
← Joshua 24:19Joshua 24:21 →
← Full Chapter 24 Joshua Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If you forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, etc.] Joshua knew the proneness of this people to idolatry, and therefore expresses his jealousy of them, that they would not be able to continue in the service of God, and would be apt to be carried away after idols; and therefore, to make them the more cautious and watchful, he represents to them the danger they were in, and what would befall them should they forsake the Lord they now promised to serve, and follow after other gods, which their fathers worshipped before they were called out of their estate of Heathenism, or which the Canaanites, or Egyptians worshipped, whose examples they were too ready to imitate: then he will turn and do…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Will turn - That is, he will alter his course and the manner of his dealing with you, and will be as severe as ever he was kind and gracious. He will repent of his former kindnesses, and his goodness abused will be turned into fury. Joshua 24:21”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he will turn: Jos 23:12-15; Ch1 28:9; Ch2 15:2; Ezr 8:22; Isa 1:28, Isa 63:10, Isa 65:11, Isa 65:12; Jer 17:13; Eze 18:24; Act 7:42; Heb 10:26, Heb 10:27, Heb 10:38 Joshua 24:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Joshua 24 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification