Joshua 23:8 Meaning and Explanation
“But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In contrast to clinging to false gods, Joshua urges Israel to cleave to the Lord, as they have faithfully done so far.
What Does Joshua 23:8 Mean?
Against the warnings of the previous verse, Joshua sets one positive command: cleave unto the Lord your God. The word is intimate, the same used for the bond between a husband and wife. He commends the people, too, noting they have held fast to this day, calling them to continue what they have already begun.
To cleave is to hold on with the whole self, to refuse to let go. This is the heart of covenant faith, not a list of rules but a clinging love. The Lord does not ask for distant respect but for nearness, a soul that stays close. Such devotion is the believer's joy: to be joined to God and never loosed, kept by the One we hold.
Joshua 23:8 in the Original Language
dabaq (דָּבַק), 'cleave' -- to cling or hold fast, the same word for a man joined to his wife in Genesis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 23:8
What does Joshua 23:8 mean?
In contrast to clinging to false gods, Joshua urges Israel to cleave to the Lord, as they have faithfully done so far.