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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 23:11-16

Here, I. Joshua directs them what to do, that they might persevere in religion, Josh. 23:11. Would we cleave to the Lord, and not forsake him, 1. We must always stand upon our guard, for many a precious soul is lost and ruined through carelessness: ?Take heed therefore, take good heed to yourselves, to your souls (so the word is), that the inward man be kept clean from the pollutions of sin, and closely employed in the service of God.? God has given us precious souls with this charge, ?Take... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:12

Else if ye do in any wise go back ,.... From the Lord and his worship, from his word and ordinances: and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even those that remain among you ; in cities not taken, or in several which the Philistines were in possession of, or lived among them as tributaries to them, if they should take to them, and be free and familiar with them, which may lead on to nearer connections in civil and religious matters: and shall make marriages with them ; marry... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you ,.... Or, "knowing ye shall know" F18 ידוע תדעו "sciendo scietis", Montanus; "sciendo scitote", Pagninus, Vatablus. ; or "know ye"; this may be taken for granted, or the fullest proof, and clearest demonstration, and strongest assurance will be given of it, that in case of such bad conduct, and disobedience to the will of God, no more of the nations of the Canaanites will be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:14

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth ,.... That is, about to die; not that precise day, but in a short time, of which the daily increasing infirmities of old age gave him notice. Death is a journey from this world to another, a man's going to his long home, a path trodden by all men, and but once F20 "----Sed omnes una manet nox, Et calcanda semel via lethi". --Horat. Carmin. l. 1. Ode 28. ; a way in which all men without exception must and do walk, and even the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:15

Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things are come upon you which the Lord hath promised you ,.... Of which there was full proof, and it could not be denied: so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things ; calamities and distresses, by his sore judgments of famine, sword, pestilence, evil beasts, and captivity, in case of disobedience to his commands: until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you ; for as he is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:16

When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God , which he commanded you ,.... The law, so called, and the several precepts of it, particularly those which relate to the faith and worship of the one only true God; see Exodus 24:7 ; and have gone and served other gods, and have bowed down yourselves unto them ; been guilty of idolatry, of having and worshipping other gods, which are no gods, with or besides the God of Israel, see Joshua 23:7 , then shall the anger... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 23:12

Else if ye do - go back - The soldier who draws back when going to meet the enemy, forfeits his life. These were the Lord's soldiers, and if they drew back they drew back unto perdition, their lives being forfeited by their infidelity. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 23:13

They shall be snares - לפח lephach , a net or gin, set by the artful fowler to catch heedless birds. And traps - מוקש mokesh , any snare, toil, or trap, placed on the ground to catch the unwary traveler or wild beast by the foot. Scourges in your sides , and thorns in your eyes - Nothing can be conceived more vexatious and distressing than a continual goad in the side, or thorn in the eye. They will drive you into obedience to their false gods, and put... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 23:14

The way of all the earth - I am about to die; I am going into the grave. Not one thing hath failed , etc. - God had so remarkably and literally fulfilled his promises, that not one of his enemies could state that even the smallest of them had not had its most literal accomplishment: this all Israel could testify. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 23:15

So shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things - His faithfulness in fulfilling his promises is a proof that he will as faithfully accomplish his threatenings, for the veracity of God is equally pledged for both. read more

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