Joshua 24:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joshua calls the people to remove the foreign gods among them and to turn their hearts wholly to the LORD.
What Does Joshua 24:23 Mean?
Joshua moves from promise to practice. Put away the foreign gods still among you, he says, and incline your heart to the LORD. Words of devotion must now become the actual removal of rivals and a turning of the heart.
A pledge to serve God means nothing if old idols remain tucked away. Joshua asks for both the outward act and the inward leaning of the heart. Genuine faith clears the house of competing loves and bends the whole self toward the Lord, who alone deserves it.
Joshua 24:23 in the Original Language
natah (נָטָה), 'incline' -- to bend or stretch toward, picturing the heart leaning wholly in God's direction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 24:23
What does Joshua 24:23 mean?
Joshua calls the people to remove the foreign gods among them and to turn their hearts wholly to the LORD.