Joshua 23:12

Translations

Modern

For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them,

Traditional

Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

Literal

For if you at all turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations, these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you,

Latin

Quod si volueritis gentium harum, quæ inter vos habitant, erroribus adhærere, et cum eis miscere connubia, atque amicitias copulare:

Original

Hebrew

English

For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them,

Notes

Joshua 23:12

Joshua warned God's people not to marry their neighbors who worshiped many gods. Such close relationships could lead the Israelites to be unfaithful to God (Deuteronomy 7:3–4). However, people from Canaan who wanted to worship the Lord and join God's people were welcome (Joshua 6:25; Ruth 4:10). Race, language, and ethnic group did not affect God's rule against marrying non-Israelites. It was a matter of remaining loyal to the Lord (see 2 Corinthians 6:14–15).

Joshua 23:12–16

Apostasy (turning away from the true God) leads to destruction.

Because God is holy, Joshua could speak with confidence about God’s promises and about the good land God had given the people. God does not change in his holy character, even when his people change.

The rebellion of God’s people does not harm God’s holiness. However, rebellion does bring destruction on those who choose it.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Samson Purity and Identity

Related verses

Deuteronomy 7:3
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,
Ezekiel 18:24
But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.
Zephaniah 1:6
…and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”
2 Peter 2:18–22
With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
Ezra 9:11–12
…that You gave through Your servants the prophets, saying: ‘The land that you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the impurity of its peoples and the abominations with which they have filled it from end to end.
Ezra 9:1–2
After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.
Nehemiah 13:23–26
In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
Matthew 12:45
Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”
1 John 2:9
If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.
Isaiah 1:4
Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.
Genesis 34:3
And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly.
Psalm 125:5
But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.

Glossary

Foreigner Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of King Rest Tribe of Dan

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Provoke God to Leave Mean to Reap the Fruits of Them Company: Evil Fear of God: A Motive of Obedience Fellowship with the Wicked Marriage: The Jews: Forbidden to Contract with Idolaters Miscegenation: Joshua Miscegenation: Reasons for Prohibition Protection: Withdrawn from The: Backsliding The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Intermarry With The Jews: Prohibited From: Marry with Others

Joshua 23:12

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