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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 24:19 But Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/24-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/06_Jos_24_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 24:19 - Choose Whom You will Serve" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Joshua said to the people, You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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/24-19.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/24-19.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/24.htm">Chapter 24</a> > Verse 19</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="/ad19.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/24-18.htm" title="Joshua 24:18">◄</a> Joshua 24:19 <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm" title="Joshua 24:20">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/joshua/24.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/24.htm">New International Version</a> Joshua said to the people, &#8220You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. <a href="/nlt/joshua/24.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Joshua warned the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. <a href="/esv/joshua/24.htm">English Standard Version</a> But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. <a href="/bsb/joshua/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. <a href="/kjv/joshua/24.htm">King James Bible</a> And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/24.htm">New King James Version</a> But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. <a href="/nasb_/joshua/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your wrongdoing or your sins. <a href="/nasb/joshua/24.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Joshua said to the people, &#8220You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. <a href="/nasb77/joshua/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. <a href="/lsb/joshua/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve Yahweh, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. <a href="/amp/joshua/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD [if you serve any other gods], for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His]. He will not forgive your transgression [of His law] or your sins. <a href="/csb/joshua/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But Joshua told the people, “You will not be able to worship the LORD, because he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions and sins. <a href="/hcsb/joshua/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Joshua told the people, &#8220You will not be able to worship Yahweh, because He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not remove your transgressions and sins. <a href="/asv/joshua/24.htm">American Standard Version</a> And 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. <a href="/cev/joshua/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Joshua said: The LORD is fearsome; he is the one true God, and I don't think you are able to worship and obey him in the ways he demands. You would have to be completely faithful, and if you sin or rebel, he won't let you get away with it. <a href="/erv/joshua/24.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD; for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins. <a href="/gwt/joshua/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But Joshua answered the people, "Since the LORD is a holy God, you can't possibly serve him. He is a God who does not tolerate rivals. He will not forgive your rebellious acts and sins. <a href="/gnt/joshua/24.htm">Good News Translation</a> Joshua said to the people, "But you may not be able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God and will not forgive your sins. He will tolerate no rivals, <a href="/isv/joshua/24.htm">International Standard Version</a> So Joshua told the people, "You will not be able to serve the LORD, because he is a God of Holiness. He is a jealous God, and he will forgive neither your transgressions nor your sins. <a href="/msb/joshua/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Joshua said to the people, ?You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. <a href="/net/joshua/24.htm">NET Bible</a> Joshua warned the people, "You will not keep worshiping the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God who will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. <a href="/nheb/joshua/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Joshua said to the people, "You can't serve the LORD; for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins. <a href="/wbt/joshua/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Joshua said to the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. <a href="/web/joshua/24.htm">World English Bible</a> Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Joshua says to the people, “You are not able to serve YHWH, for He [is] a most holy God; He [is] a zealous God; He does not bear with your transgression and with your sins. <a href="/ylt/joshua/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Joshua saith unto the people, 'Ye are not able to serve Jehovah, for a God most holy He is; a zealous God He is; He doth not bear with your transgression and with your sins. <a href="/slt/joshua/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Joshua will say to the people, Ye will not be able to serve Jehovah, for a holy God is he: a jealous God is he; he will not take away your transgressions and your sins.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Josue said to the people: You will not be able to serve the Lord: for he is a holy God, and mighty and jealous, and will not forgive your wickedness and sins. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Joshua said to the people: “You will not be able to serve the Lord. For he is a holy and powerful God, and he is jealous, and he will not ignore your wickedness and sins. <a href="/nabre/joshua/24.htm">New American Bible</a> Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God; he is a passionate God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Joshua said to the people, Behold, but it may be you cannot serve the LORD faithfully; for he is a holy God and a zealous God; he may not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Yeshua said to the people: “See, but how, when you are unable to serve LORD JEHOVAH, because God is holy and God is zealous, but he does not forgive your debts and your sins?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Joshua said unto the people: 'Ye cannot serve the LORD; for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression nor your sins. <a href="/sep/joshua/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Joshua said to the people, Indeed ye will not be able to serve the Lord, for God is holy; and he being jealous will not forgive your sins and your transgressions. <a href="/parallel/joshua/24-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=6465" 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/24.htm">Choose Whom You will Serve</a> …18And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!” 19<a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">But Joshua</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“You are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: ṯū·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">able</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: la·‘ă·ḇōḏ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">to serve</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/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.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/6918.htm" title="6918: qə·ḏō·šîm (Adj-mp) -- Sacred, holy. Or qadosh; from qadash; sacred; God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.">is a holy</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">God;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/7072.htm" title="7072: qan·nō·w (Adj-ms) -- Jealous. For qanna'; jealous or angry.">is a jealous</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl- (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">God;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">He will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">forgive</a> <a href="/hebrew/6588.htm" title="6588: lə·p̄iš·‘ă·ḵem (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2mp) -- Transgression. From pasha'; a revolt.">your rebellion</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ū·lə·ḥaṭ·ṭō·w·ṯê·ḵem (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">or your sins.</a> 20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you and consume you, even after He has been good to you.”…<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/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/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-15</a> And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. ... <a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">1 Samuel 12:10-12</a> Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely. / But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14-18</a> But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. / They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. ... <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Nehemiah 9:26-30</a> But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. / So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. / But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. ... <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Psalm 78:56-59</a> But they tested and disobeyed God Most High, for they did not keep His decrees. / They turned back and were faithless like their fathers, twisted like a faulty bow. / They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols. ... <a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">Isaiah 63:10</a> But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. <a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm">Jeremiah 2:19</a> Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. <a href="/ezekiel/20-39.htm">Ezekiel 20:39</a> And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols. <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-2</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. <a href="/amos/3-2.htm">Amos 3:2</a> “Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. <a href="/matthew/12-30.htm">Matthew 12:30</a> He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. <a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a> No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” <a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a> Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.Ye cannot<a href="/joshua/24-23.htm">Joshua 24:23</a> Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.<a href="/ruth/1-15.htm">Ruth 1:15</a> And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.<a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.holy<a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Leviticus 10:3</a> Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.<a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a> Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.<a href="/1_samuel/6-20.htm">1 Samuel 6:20</a> And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?a jealous<a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5</a> Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;<a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14</a> For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:<a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-22</a> But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils… he will not<a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Exodus 23:21</a> Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.<a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Exodus 34:7</a> Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.<a href="/1_samuel/3-14.htm">1 Samuel 3:14</a> And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/23-10.htm">Able</a> <a href="/joshua/6-12.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/joshua/22-22.htm">Disobedience</a> <a href="/joshua/6-19.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/joshua/7-9.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Jealous</a> <a href="/joshua/24-2.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/11-20.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/joshua/22-22.htm">Rebellion</a> <a href="/joshua/24-18.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/joshua/24-18.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/joshua/22-22.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-21.htm">Transgressions</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Wrongdoing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Zealous</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Able</a> <a href="/judges/10-16.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">Disobedience</a> <a href="/joshua/24-26.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/judges/4-9.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-9.htm">Jealous</a> <a href="/joshua/24-21.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/judges/1-8.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Rebellion</a> <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-50.htm">Transgressions</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-28.htm">Wrongdoing</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-22.htm">Zealous</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 24</div>1. <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem</a> 2. <a href="/joshua/24-2.htm">A brief history of God's benefits from Terah</a> 14. <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">He renews the covenant between them and God</a> 26. <a href="/joshua/24-26.htm">A stone the witness of the covenant</a> 29. <a href="/joshua/24-29.htm">Joshua's age, death, and burial</a> 32. <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joseph's bones are buried</a> 33. <a href="/joshua/24-33.htm">Eleazar dies</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'; 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This moment occurs at Shechem, a significant location for covenant renewal. Joshua's leadership is characterized by his commitment to God's commands and his role in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. His words here are part of his farewell address, emphasizing the importance of serving God faithfully.“You are not able to serve the LORD, Joshua challenges the Israelites' ability to serve God, highlighting the seriousness and difficulty of true devotion. This statement underscores human limitations and the need for divine assistance. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' past failures and the tendency to fall into idolatry, as seen throughout their history.for He is a holy God; The holiness of God is a central theme in the Bible, signifying His purity, separateness, and moral perfection. God's holiness demands reverence and obedience, setting a standard that is beyond human reach without divine help. This attribute of God is foundational to understanding His nature and the requirements for His people.He is a jealous God; God's jealousy is not like human jealousy; it is a righteous and protective zeal for His people and His covenant. This reflects God's desire for exclusive devotion and His intolerance of idolatry. The concept of divine jealousy is rooted in the covenant relationship, where God is portrayed as a husband to Israel, expecting faithfulness.He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. This statement emphasizes the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God. It serves as a warning that persistent disobedience and idolatry will lead to judgment. However, it also points to the need for repentance and the provision of atonement, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness through His sacrifice. This phrase highlights the conditional nature of God's forgiveness, contingent upon genuine repentance and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a> The leader of Israel after Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. In this chapter, he is addressing the Israelites at Shechem, urging them to serve the LORD faithfully. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who have settled in the Promised Land and are being reminded of their covenant with God. 3. <a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a> A significant location in Israel's history, where Joshua gathered the tribes to renew their covenant with God. It is a place of decision and commitment. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, described here as holy and jealous, emphasizing His distinct nature and exclusive claim to worship. 5. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_renewal.htm">Covenant Renewal</a> The event where Joshua calls the Israelites to reaffirm their commitment to serve the LORD alone, warning them of the consequences of unfaithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_holiness_of_god.htm">The Holiness of God</a> God's holiness sets Him apart and demands reverence and obedience. Understanding His holiness should lead us to a deeper commitment to live according to His standards. <a href="/topical/t/the_jealousy_of_god.htm">The Jealousy of God</a> God's jealousy is not like human jealousy; it is a righteous desire for His people to remain faithful. This should remind us of the importance of exclusive devotion to God. <a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a> Joshua's warning about transgressions highlights the gravity of sin and the need for repentance. We must take sin seriously and seek God's forgiveness through Christ. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a> Just as the Israelites were called to renew their covenant, we are called to examine our commitment to God regularly. Are we serving Him wholeheartedly? <a href="/topical/t/the_challenge_of_serving_god.htm">The Challenge of Serving God</a> Joshua's statement that the people are not able to serve the LORD on their own points to the need for divine help. We rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to live faithfully.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 24</a> <a href="/q/what_decision_guidance_is_in_the_bible.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer for decision making?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'let_your_yes_be_yes'_mean.htm">What does 'We will serve the Lord' mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_joshua_24_14-15_reconcile_idolatry.htm">Joshua 24:14-15 - How does this pledge to exclusively serve the Lord reconcile with the later biblical narratives showing continued idolatry in Israel?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_caleb_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Caleb in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) And Joshua said . . . Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is . . . jealous . . .--Jehovah will not consent to be served as one God among many: the very thing which Israel was doing at the moment, which they meant to do, and did do, with rare intervals, down to the Babylonish captivity, when the evil spirit of (literal) idolatry was expelled for evermore. Israel always maintained the worship of Jehovah (except in very evil times) as the national Deity, but did not abstain from the recognition and partial worship of other national deities of whom they were afraid, and whom they thought it necessary to propitiate. Therefore Joshua's argument is perfectly intelligible, and was entirely necessary for those times.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord. Calvin thinks that Joshua said this to rouse the sluggish heart of the people to some sense of their duty. But this is quite contrary to the fact, for the heart of the people, as we have seen (ch. 22.), was not sluggish. As little can we accept the explanation of Michaelis, who paraphrases, "Ye will not be able, from merely human resolutions, to serve God." Joshua was stating nothing but a plain fact, which his own higher conception of the law had taught him, that the law was too "holy, just, and good" for it to be possible that Israel should keep it. He had forebodings of coming failure, when he looked on one side at the law with its stern morality and rigorous provisions, and the undisciplined, untamed people that he saw around him. True and faithful to the last, he set before them the law in all its majesty and fulness, the nature of its requirements, and the unsuspected dangers that lay in their weak and wayward hearts. No doubt he had a dim presentiment of the truth, to teach which, to St. Paul, required a miracle and three years' wrestling in Arabia, that by the deeds of the law "shall no flesh be justified in God's sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (<a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a>). As yet the Spirit of God had barely begun to unveil the figure of the Deliverer who was to declare at once God's righteousness and His forgiveness. Yet none the less did Joshua do his duty, and strove to brace up the Israelites to theirs, not by disguising the nature of the undertaking to which they were pledging themselves, but by causing them to be penetrated with a sense of its awfulness and of the solemn responsibilities which it entailed. St. Augustine thinks that Joshua detected in the Israelites already the signs of that self righteousness which St. Paul (<a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a>) blames, and that he wished to make them conscious of it. But this is hardly borne out by the narrative. He is a holy God. The pluralis excellentiae is used here in the case of the adjective as well as the substantive. This is to enhance the idea of the holiness which is an essential attribute of God. He is a Jealous God. The meaning is that God will not permit others to share the affections or rights which are His due alone. The word, which, as its root, "to be red," shows, was first applied to human affections, is yet transferred to God, since we can but approximate to His attributes by ideas derived from human relations. Not that God stoops to the meanness and unreasonableness of human jealousy. His vindication of His rights is no other than reasonable in Him. "His glory" He not only "will not," but cannot "give to another." And therefore, as a jealous man does, yet without his infirmity, God refuses to allow another to share in what is due to Himself alone. The word, as well as the existence of the Mosaic covenant, has no doubt led the prophets to use, as they do on innumerable occasions, the figure of a husband and wife (<a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Jeremiah 2:2</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Ezekiel 23:25</a>; <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Hosea 2:2, 13, 16</a> (margin), Hosea 2:19, 20) in describing the relations of God to His Church, and approximate to His attitude towards His people by the illustration of an injured husband towards a faithless wife (see also <a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/6-15.htm">Deuteronomy 6:15</a>). He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins (see <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Exodus 23:21</a>). There were many words used for "forgive" in Scripture: נשׁא כפר and סלה (see Pearson's learned note in his 'Treatise on the Creed,' Art. 10). The one here used signifies to remove or to bear the burden of guilt, corresponding to the word αἴρω in the New Testament. The word here translated" transgressions" is not the same as in <a href="/joshua/7-15.htm">Joshua 7:15</a>, and the cognate word to the one rendered "transgressed" in <a href="/joshua/7-11.htm">Joshua 7:11</a>, is here rendered "sins." It signifies a "breach of covenant," while the word translated" sins" is the equivalent of the Greek ἀματία. <a href="/commentaries/joshua/24-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But Joshua יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the people, הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock “You are not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no able תֽוּכְלוּ֙ (ṯū·ḵə·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> To be able, have power to serve לַעֲבֹ֣ד (la·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (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 for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction He ה֑וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a holy קְדֹשִׁ֖ים (qə·ḏō·šîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6918.htm">Strong's 6918: </a> Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary God; אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative He ה֔וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a jealous קַנּ֣וֹא (qan·nō·w) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7072.htm">Strong's 7072: </a> Jealous, angry God; אֵֽל־ (’êl-) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty He will not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no forgive יִשָּׂ֥א (yiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take your rebellion לְפִשְׁעֲכֶ֖ם (lə·p̄iš·‘ă·ḵem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6588.htm">Strong's 6588: </a> Transgression or your sins. וּלְחַטֹּאותֵיכֶֽם׃ (ū·lə·ḥaṭ·ṭō·w·ṯê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/24-19.htm">OT History: Joshua 24:19 Joshua said to the people You can't (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/24-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 24:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 24:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/24-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 24:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 24:20" /></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>