And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
Parallel translations
- WEB The people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake Yahweh, to serve other gods;
- BSB The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!
- NKJV So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods;
- NASB The people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we would abandon the Lord to serve other gods;
- NLT The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The people respond that they would never forsake Yahweh to serve other gods. It matters as Israel's profession of loyalty in response to Joshua's challenge.
Overview
The people firmly reject the thought of abandoning Yahweh for idols. Their words are sincere in the moment, though Joshua will soon test their resolve. The exchange reminds readers that genuine commitment must be more than verbal affirmation; it must be grounded in true knowledge of God's holiness and grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Heb 10:38–39Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
- 1 Sam 12:23Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
- Rom 6:2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
- Rom 3:6God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Joshua — the same name as Jesus, 'the LORD saves' — leads God's people into their inheritance, a shadow of the greater Joshua who brings us into the true rest and the promised land that remains.
How Joshua 24:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.