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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 23:16 If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/23-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/06_Jos_23_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 23:16 - Joshua's Charge to Leaders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/23-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/23-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/23-15.htm" title="Joshua 23:15">◄</a> Joshua 23:16 <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm" title="Joshua 24:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/joshua/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/joshua/23.htm">New International Version</a> If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD&#8217s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/joshua/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> If you break the covenant of the LORD your God by worshiping and serving other gods, his anger will burn against you, and you will quickly vanish from the good land he has given you.” <a href="/esv/joshua/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.” <a href="/bsb/joshua/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.” <a href="/kjv/joshua/23.htm">King James Bible</a> When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/23.htm">New King James Version</a> When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.” <a href="/nasb_/joshua/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and you go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.” <a href="/nasb/joshua/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/joshua/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.” <a href="/lsb/joshua/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> When you trespass against the covenant of Yahweh your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of Yahweh will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.” <a href="/amp/joshua/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When you transgress (violate) the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you [to follow], and you go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.” <a href="/csb/joshua/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If you break the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow in worship to them, the LORD’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly disappear from this good land he has given you.” <a href="/hcsb/joshua/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If you break the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and worship other gods, and bow down to them, the LORD&#8217s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly disappear from this good land He has given you.&#8221 <a href="/asv/joshua/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> When ye transgress the covenant of Jehovah your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them; then will the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. <a href="/erv/joshua/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> When ye transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. <a href="/gwt/joshua/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When you ignore the conditions placed on you by the LORD your God and follow other gods, serve them and bow down to them, the LORD will be angry with you. Then you will quickly disappear from the good land he has given you." <a href="/gnt/joshua/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> If you do not keep the covenant which the LORD your God commanded you to keep and if you serve and worship other gods, then in his anger he will punish you, and soon none of you will be left in this good land that he has given you." <a href="/isv/joshua/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> When you break the covenant of the LORD your God that he commanded you to obey by going to serve other gods and worship them, then the anger of the LORD will blaze against you, and you will perish quickly from this good land that he gave you." <a href="/msb/joshua/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.” <a href="/net/joshua/23.htm">NET Bible</a> If you violate the covenantal laws of the LORD your God which he commanded you to keep, and follow, worship, and bow down to other gods, the LORD will be very angry with you and you will disappear quickly from the good land which he gave to you." <a href="/nheb/joshua/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> when you disobey the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you." <a href="/wbt/joshua/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given to you. <a href="/web/joshua/23.htm">World English Bible</a> when you disobey the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them. Then Yahweh’s anger will be kindled against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> in your transgressing the covenant of your God YHWH which He commanded you, and you have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them, then the anger of YHWH has burned against you, and you have perished quickly from off the good land which He has given to you.” <a href="/ylt/joshua/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> in your transgressing the covenant of Jehovah your God which He commanded you, and ye have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them, then hath the anger of Jehovah burned against you, and ye have perished hastily from off the good land which He hath given to you.' <a href="/slt/joshua/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In your passing by the covenant of Jehovah your God, which he commanded you, and ye went and served other gods and worshipped to them; and the anger of Jehovah kindled against you, and ye perished quickly from off the good land which he gave to you.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served strange gods, and adored them : then shall the indignation of the Lord rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you shall be taken away from this excellent land, which he hath delivered to you. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> when you will have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he has formed with you, and will have served strange gods, and will have adored them. And then the fury of the Lord will rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you will be taken away from this excellent land, which he has delivered to you.” <a href="/nabre/joshua/23.htm">New American Bible</a> If you transgress the covenant of the LORD, your God, which he enjoined on you, to go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the anger of the LORD will flare up against you and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.” <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he enjoined on you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land that he has given to you.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> If you should transgress against the covenant of the LORD your God and against the commandments which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and worship them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given you. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> If you violate the covenant of LORD JEHOVAH your God and the commandments which you have been commanded, and you will go and you will serve other gods and you will worship them, the anger of LORD JEHOVAH your God shall be hot against you, and you shall be destroyed quickly from the good land that he has given to you <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> When ye transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which He hath given unto you.' <a href="/sep/joshua/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> when ye transgress the covenant of the Lord our God, which he has charged us, and go and serve other gods, and bow down to them. <a href="/parallel/joshua/23-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=6216" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joshua/23.htm">Joshua's Charge to Leaders</a> …15But just as every good thing the LORD your God promised you has come to pass, likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened, until He has destroyed you from this good land He has given you. 16<a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: bə·‘ā·ḇə·rə·ḵem (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 2mp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">If you transgress</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rîṯ (N-fsc) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">the covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">which</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">He commanded you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wa·hă·laḵ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and go</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">and serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’ă·ḥê·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">other</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">and bow down</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- ">to them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap̄- (N-msc) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">then the anger</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: wə·ḥā·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">will burn</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">against you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4120.htm" title="4120: mə·hê·rāh (Adv) -- Haste, speed. Feminine of maher; properly, a hurry; hence promptly.">and you will quickly</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: wa·’ă·ḇaḏ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">perish</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">this good</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯan (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">He has given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">you.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15</a> If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: <a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16-18</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. / On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods. <a href="/judges/2-20.htm">Judges 2:20-21</a> So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice, / I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. <a href="/1_kings/9-6.htm">1 Kings 9:6-9</a> But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ... <a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-23</a> All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/7-19.htm">2 Chronicles 7:19-22</a> But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ... <a href="/jeremiah/11-10.htm">Jeremiah 11:10-11</a> They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers. / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring upon them a disaster that they cannot escape. They will cry out to Me, but I will not listen to them. <a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Jeremiah 31:32</a> It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-3</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. / Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. <a href="/hosea/8-1.htm">Hosea 8:1</a> Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law. <a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18-21</a> The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ... <a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Romans 11:22</a> Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">1 Corinthians 10:6-11</a> These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. / Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” / We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ... <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a> Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. <a href="/hebrews/2-1.htm">Hebrews 2:1-3</a> We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. / For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, / how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.then shall<a href="/2_kings/24-20.htm">2 Kings 24:20</a> For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.perish<a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Joshua 23:13</a> Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/joshua/23-7.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/joshua/5-14.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/joshua/22-5.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/9-16.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-28.htm">Disobey</a> <a href="/joshua/7-1.htm">Kindled</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/joshua/10-6.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/joshua/23-7.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-20.htm">Served</a> <a href="/numbers/14-41.htm">Transgress</a> <a href="/joshua/7-15.htm">Transgressed</a> <a href="/joshua/23-7.htm">Worship</a> <a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/joshua/24-12.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/judges/2-20.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/joshua/24-25.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-24.htm">Disobey</a> <a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Kindled</a> <a href="/judges/5-31.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/judges/2-17.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/joshua/24-2.htm">Served</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-24.htm">Transgress</a> <a href="/judges/2-20.htm">Transgressed</a> <a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Worship</a> <a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 23</div>1. <a href="/joshua/23-1.htm">Joshua's exhortation before his death</a> 3. <a href="/joshua/23-3.htm">by former benefits</a> 5. <a href="/joshua/23-5.htm">by promises</a> 11. <a href="/joshua/23-11.htm">and by threatenings</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/joshua/23.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God This phrase serves as a solemn warning from Joshua to the Israelites. The word "transgress" comes from the Hebrew root "עָבַר" (avar), meaning to pass over or go beyond. It implies a deliberate act of disobedience or rebellion against the established agreement. The "covenant of the LORD your God" refers to the sacred agreement between God and Israel, established at Sinai and renewed in the Promised Land. This covenant was not merely a contract but a binding relationship, with God as the sovereign and Israel as His chosen people. Historically, the covenant included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, emphasizing the seriousness of maintaining faithfulness to God.which He commanded you This phrase underscores the divine origin and authority of the covenant. The commandments were not human inventions but were given by God Himself. The Hebrew word for "commanded" is "צִוָּה" (tsavah), which conveys the idea of giving orders or instructions. This highlights the expectation of obedience from the Israelites, as these commands were not optional suggestions but divine mandates. The historical context shows that the Israelites were repeatedly reminded of God's commands through the Law given to Moses, which served as a guide for righteous living and maintaining their relationship with God.and go and serve other gods The phrase "go and serve" indicates a willful departure from worshiping the true God to engaging in idolatry. The Hebrew word for "serve" is "עָבַד" (avad), which means to work or worship. This implies not just a passive acknowledgment but active devotion and service. The historical context of ancient Israel was rife with the temptation to worship the gods of surrounding nations, which often led to syncretism and spiritual adultery. The call to serve "other gods" was a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibited the worship of any deity other than Yahweh.and bow down to them "Bowing down" is an act of worship and submission, derived from the Hebrew word "שָׁחָה" (shachah), meaning to prostrate oneself. This physical act symbolized the heart's allegiance and reverence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bowing down to idols was a common practice, representing loyalty and devotion to a deity. For the Israelites, this act was particularly egregious because it signified a rejection of their unique relationship with Yahweh, who had delivered them from Egypt and given them the land of Canaan.then the anger of the LORD will burn against you This phrase conveys the intensity of God's response to Israel's unfaithfulness. The "anger of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often depicted as a consuming fire. The Hebrew word for "anger" is "אַף" (aph), which can also mean nostril or face, suggesting the flaring of nostrils in anger. This anthropomorphic expression communicates God's righteous indignation against sin. Historically, God's anger was not arbitrary but a just response to covenant violations, reflecting His holiness and the seriousness of sin.and you will quickly perish from the good land The warning of perishing "quickly" underscores the immediacy and certainty of the consequences of disobedience. The Hebrew word for "perish" is "אָבַד" (avad), meaning to be lost or destroyed. The "good land" refers to the Promised Land, a gift from God to the Israelites, described as a land flowing with milk and honey. This land was not only a physical inheritance but also a symbol of God's blessing and faithfulness. Historically, the loss of the land would mean exile and dispersion, a reality that Israel would face due to their repeated unfaithfulness.He has given you This final phrase emphasizes the gracious nature of God's gift. The land was not earned by Israel's merit but was given by God's sovereign choice and promise. The Hebrew word for "given" is "נָתַן" (natan), which means to give or bestow. This highlights the unmerited favor and generosity of God towards His people. The historical context reminds us that the land was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, serving as a tangible reminder of His covenant faithfulness. The warning serves as a call to remember and honor the divine gift by living in obedience to God's commands.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) The resemblance between this verse and an exhortation in Deuteronomy should be noticed, <a href="/context/joshua/11-16.htm" title="So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;">Joshua 11:16-17</a>, "Take heed to yourselves, lest . . . ye turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; and then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you . . . and ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Transgressed. The English is the precise equivalent of the Hebrew, which signifies to "pass over," with the idea of going beyond bounds which had previously been prescribed in the covenant between God and His people. Other gods. See ver. 7. Here again we have the usual repetition for the sake of emphasis. Ye shall perish quickly. A verbally accurate quotation of <a href="/deuteronomy/11-17.htm">Deuteronomy 11:17</a>. The original is even more emphatic - with haste. <a href="/commentaries/joshua/23-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>If you transgress בְּ֠עָבְרְכֶם (bə·‘ā·ḇə·rə·ḵem) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on the covenant בְּרִ֨ית (bə·rîṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> A covenant of the LORD יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God, אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֮ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative which אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that He commanded you, צִוָּ֣ה (ṣiw·wāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order and go וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם (wa·hă·laḵ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk and serve וַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave other אֲחֵרִ֔ים (’ă·ḥê·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> Hinder, next, other gods אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and bow down to them, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם (wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate the LORD’s יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel anger אַף־ (’ap̄-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire will burn against you, וְחָרָ֤ה (wə·ḥā·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy and you will quickly מְהֵרָ֔ה (mə·hê·rāh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4120.htm">Strong's 4120: </a> A hurry, promptly perish וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֣ם (wa·’ă·ḇaḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> To wander away, lose oneself, to perish from מֵעַל֙ (mê·‘al) Preposition-m <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against this good הַטּוֹבָ֔ה (haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good land הָאָ֣רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land He has given נָתַ֥ן (nā·ṯan) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set you.? לָכֶֽם׃ (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/23-16.htm">OT History: Joshua 23:16 When you disobey the covenant of Yahweh (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/23-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 23:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 23:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/24-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 24:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 24:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>