Old Testament
Joshua 23:16
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
if you break the covenant of the LORD your God that he commanded you to keep, and go off to serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and you will quickly be destroyed from this good land he gave you."
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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.
What Joshua 23:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Joshua warns the Israelites about the serious consequences of breaking their covenant with God. He emphasizes that if they turn away from God to worship other deities, they will provoke God's anger. This anger will lead to their destruction and loss of the land that God has graciously given them. The covenant represents a sacred agreement between God and His people, and breaking it is seen as a betrayal. Joshua's message serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and loyalty to God. The Israelites are urged to remain steadfast in their commitment to worship the one true God, as straying from this path will result in dire consequences. This warning highlights the relationship between obedience to God and the blessings that come from Him, as well as the dangers of idolatry and disobedience.
How to apply Joshua 23:16 to your life
This verse encourages us to remain faithful to our commitments to God. It serves as a reminder to avoid distractions and temptations that lead us away from our faith. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we can experience His blessings and guidance in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
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Illustrated scene from Joshua's story: Joshua's Farewell (Joshua 23:1–16)
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Joshua
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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Keep studying Joshua 23:16
Related Bible verses
At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 23:16 teach about breaking God's covenant?
Joshua 23:16 warns that breaking the covenant with God leads to serious consequences. It emphasizes that turning away from God to worship other gods provokes His anger, resulting in destruction and loss of the blessings He has provided. This highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God's commands and the dangers of idolatry.
How can we apply Joshua 23:16 in our daily lives?
We can apply Joshua 23:16 by committing ourselves to our relationship with God and avoiding distractions that lead us away from Him. This means prioritizing our faith, engaging in prayer, and resisting temptations that may draw us into idolatry or disobedience. By doing so, we can experience God's blessings and guidance.
What are the consequences mentioned in Joshua 23:16?
The consequences mentioned in Joshua 23:16 include provoking God's anger and facing destruction from the good land He has given. This serves as a stark reminder that disobedience and turning to other gods can lead to severe repercussions, emphasizing the need for faithfulness and loyalty to God.
What does the term 'covenant' mean in Joshua 23:16?
In Joshua 23:16, 'covenant' refers to the sacred agreement between God and His people, where they commit to follow His laws and worship Him alone. Breaking this covenant signifies betrayal and disobedience, which can lead to God's anger and loss of His blessings.
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