📖 Joshua — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Joshua 23:1 And it came to pass a long time after that Rthe LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and Tstricken in age.
Joshua 23:2 And Joshua called for Rall Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
Joshua 23:3 RAnd ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.
Joshua 23:4 RBehold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea Twestward.
Joshua 23:5 And the LORD your God, Rhe shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.
Joshua 23:6 Be ye therefore Rvery courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
Joshua 23:7 RThat ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
Joshua 23:8 RTBut cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
Joshua 23:9 RTFor the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
Joshua 23:10 ROne man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
Joshua 23:11 RTake good heed therefore unto Tyourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
Joshua 23:12 Else if ye do in any wise Rgo 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:
Joshua 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God Rwill 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.
Joshua 23:14 And, behold, this day RI am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
Joshua 23:15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; Rso shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
Joshua 23:16 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; Rthen 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 23:1–5 — Joshua recalls the LORD's help
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
In old age Joshua gathers Israel's leaders and recalls the LORD's victories. He connects the allotted inheritance and remaining possession with God's help.
Key Truth: Israel's inheritance is attributed to the LORD's faithful action.
Check What You Remember
1. Was Joshua young or old when giving this address? (Joshua 23:1)
Find it in Joshua 23:1 (KJV).
2. Who had fought for Israel? (Joshua 23:3)
Find it in Joshua 23:3 (KJV).
3. Who would drive out the remaining nations? (Joshua 23:5)
Find it in Joshua 23:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 23:6–11 — Hold fast to the LORD
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Joshua calls for courage in keeping the law and warns against worshiping the remaining nations' gods. Israel must cleave to and love the LORD.
Key Truth: Faithfulness requires both keeping God's word and refusing rival worship.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose written law were they to keep? (Joshua 23:6)
Find it in Joshua 23:6 (KJV).
2. To whom should Israel cleave? (Joshua 23:8)
Find it in Joshua 23:8 (KJV).
3. What attitude toward the LORD were they urged to guard carefully? (Joshua 23:11)
Find it in Joshua 23:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 23:12–16 — The consequence of turning away
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Joshua warns that joining the remaining nations and breaking covenant loyalty will bring harm. He contrasts the fulfillment of God's good promises with the reality of the covenant warnings.
Key Truth: The LORD's faithfulness includes the seriousness of his warnings.
Check What You Remember
1. How many of the LORD's good promises had failed? (Joshua 23:14)
Find it in Joshua 23:14 (KJV).
2. What would serving other gods transgress? (Joshua 23:16)
Find it in Joshua 23:16 (KJV).
3. What response from the LORD is named if Israel serves other gods? (Joshua 23:16)
Find it in Joshua 23:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Deuteronomy 7:4 — Compare the warning that ties with the nations could turn Israel toward other gods.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which truth from this chapter do you want to remember? What question or related Scripture would you like to explore next? You can keep these thoughts in your private Notes below.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What does Joshua identify as the reason for Israel’s victories?
2. What form of courage does Joshua now emphasize?
3. How does Joshua explain one man chasing a thousand?
4. What reversal is warned if Israel cleaves to the remaining nations?
5. How does Joshua connect fulfilled good promises with the covenant warning?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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