Joshua 24:16 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

The people answered and said, 'We would never abandon the LORD to worship other gods!'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The people are making a strong declaration that they will never turn away from God to follow false gods.

📚 Historical Context

This response comes during Joshua's farewell address to the Israelites at Shechem, where he challenged them to choose whom they would serve. The people had witnessed God's faithfulness throughout their journey from Egypt and conquest of the Promised Land. Joshua was calling them to renew their covenant commitment to God alone, warning them against the temptation to worship the gods of the surrounding nations.

Explore Similar Verses

2 Chronicles 7:22

And people will answer, 'Because they abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they grabbed onto other gods, worshiped them, and served them—that's why he brought all this disaster on them.'

Jeremiah 22:9

Then they will answer, 'Because they abandoned their agreement with the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.'

1 Kings 9:9

And they will answer, 'Because they abandoned the LORD their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they grabbed hold of other gods and worshipped them and served them—that's why the LORD has brought all this disaster upon them.'

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