Else if ye do in any wise go 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:
But if you turn away from God and cling to the remaining nations that are still living among you, and if you marry their people and become closely connected with them,
Joshua is warning the Israelites that if they abandon their faith and become closely connected with the pagan nations around them, there will be serious consequences.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites had recently completed their conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership after the death of Moses. As Joshua addressed the people in his farewell speech, he warned them against forming alliances or intermarrying with the remaining Canaanite nations, fearing that such ties would lead to idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. This reflects the broader biblical theme of Israel's need to remain separate from pagan influences to uphold their covenant with God.
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