Joshua 24:2

Translations

Modern

And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods.

Traditional

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

Literal

And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says YHWH, God of Israel: ‘On the other side of the River dwelt Your fathers of old—Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor—and they served other gods.

Latin

…et ad populum sic locutus est: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israël: Trans fluvium habitaverunt patres vestri ab initio, Thare pater Abraham et Nachor: servieruntque diis alienis.

Original

Hebrew

English

And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods.

Notes

Joshua 24:2

Terah: See Genesis 11:27–32.

Joshua 24:1–13

Joshua reminded the people of the many ways God had shown grace to Israel throughout their history.

Joshua 24:1–27

In both its form and its content, this covenant statement is similar to an ancient Near Eastern suzerain–vassal treaty (a treaty between a powerful ruler and a weaker people). The suzerain protects them and provides benefits, and in return, the weaker people (the vassal) owe loyalty and obedience.

The covenant begins with a preamble, which identifies the speaker (24:2). It then includes a historical prologue. This section recounts the suzerain’s gracious acts, describing what God had done for the people in the past (24:3–13).

Next, the covenant lists the stipulations, or required obligations, that the people must follow (24:14–15). It also warns of curses and promises blessings, depending on whether the people obey or disobey (24:19–20).

Finally, the passage notes where the covenant text was recorded so it could be read again in the future (implied in 24:26). It also names witnesses who confirmed the covenant agreement (24:22, 27). See also study note on Exodus 20:1–23:33.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Joshua God’s Covenants Shechem The Broken Covenant

Related verses

Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Ezekiel 16:3
…and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.
Genesis 31:30
Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?”
Deuteronomy 26:5
…and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous.
Genesis 31:19
Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols.
Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.
Genesis 31:32
If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.
Genesis 35:4
So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.
Genesis 31:53
May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
Genesis 11:26–12:1
When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Nahor: Son of Serug; father of Terah, Abraham's father Terah: Abraham's father who settled in Haran

Places

Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land

Glossary

Amorites Covenant Idols, Idolatry Joshua, Book of King Monotheism Nachor Nahor (Person) Rest Shechem (Place) Tribe of Dan

Topics

Abraham: Ancestors of, Idolatrous Babylon: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Haran: Also Called Charran: Idolatry In Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People Nahor: Brother of Abraham Polytheism: General Scriptures Concerning Shechem: Joshua Assembled the Tribes of Israel At Terah was an Idolater The Euphrates: Called: The Flood Time: Epochs of Before the Flood

Joshua 24:2

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