Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now. New Living Translation Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now. English Standard Version but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day. Berean Standard Bible Instead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. King James Bible But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. New King James Version but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. New American Standard Bible But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. NASB 1995 “But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. NASB 1977 “But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. Legacy Standard Bible But you are to cling to Yahweh your God, as you have done to this day. Amplified Bible But you are to cling to the LORD your God, just as you have done to this day. Christian Standard Bible Instead, be loyal to the LORD your God, as you have been to this day. Holman Christian Standard Bible Instead, remain faithful to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” American Standard Version but cleave unto Jehovah your God, as ye have done unto this day. Contemporary English Version Be as faithful to the LORD as you have always been. English Revised Version but cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. GOD'S WORD® Translation But you must be loyal to the LORD your God, as you have been until now. Good News Translation Instead, be faithful to the LORD, as you have been till now. International Standard Version Instead, you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done today, NET Bible But you must be loyal to the LORD your God, as you have been to this very day. New Heart English Bible but hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. Webster's Bible Translation But cleave to the LORD your God, as ye have done to this day. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleInstead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. World English Bible but hold fast to Yahweh your God, as you have done to this day. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbut you cleave to your God YHWH, as you have done until this day. Young's Literal Translation but to Jehovah your God ye do cleave, as ye have done till this day. Smith's Literal Translation But ye shall cleave to Jehovah your God, as ye did even to this day. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut cleave ye unto the Lord your God: as you have done until this day. Catholic Public Domain Version Instead, cling to the Lord your God, just as you have done even to this day. New American Bible but you must hold fast to the LORD, your God, as you have done up to this day. New Revised Standard Version but hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut cleave to the LORD your God, as you have done even to this day. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But cling to LORD JEHOVAH your God, just as you have done until today OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917but cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day; Brenton Septuagint Translation But ye shall cleave to the Lord our God, as ye have done until this day. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Joshua's Charge to Leaders…7So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them. 8Instead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. 9The LORD has driven out great and powerful nations before you, and to this day no one can stand against you.… Cross References Deuteronomy 10:20 You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name. Deuteronomy 11:22 For if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him— Deuteronomy 13:4 You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him. 2 Kings 18:6 He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses. Psalm 63:8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 119:31 I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:14 Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 42:6 “I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, Isaiah 43:5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west. John 15:4-5 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:9-10 As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. / If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Treasury of Scripture But hold to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. or, For if ye will cleave, etc. Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. Deuteronomy 10:20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. Jump to Previous Cleave Cling Hold True.Jump to Next Cleave Cling Hold True.Joshua 23 1. Joshua's exhortation before his death3. by former benefits 5. by promises 11. and by threatenings Instead, you shall hold fast to the LORD your God This phrase emphasizes the importance of loyalty and commitment to God. The Hebrew word for "hold fast" implies a strong, unwavering attachment, similar to the bond in a marriage covenant. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where faithfulness is paramount. The call to hold fast contrasts with the temptation to follow other gods, a recurring issue for Israel (Exodus 34:14-16). This phrase also echoes the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which commands love and devotion to God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. as you have done to this day Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, who is delivering his farewell address to the Israelites, urging them to remain faithful to God. 2. Israelites The people of God who have settled in the Promised Land and are being reminded of their covenant with the LORD. 3. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which the Israelites have entered and are now dwelling in, fulfilling God's promise to their ancestors. 4. Covenant The solemn agreement between God and the Israelites, which includes blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. 5. LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and the relationship He has with His people. Teaching Points Faithfulness to GodJust as the Israelites were called to hold fast to the LORD, Christians today are called to remain faithful in their relationship with God, despite challenges and temptations. Covenant Relationship Understanding our relationship with God as a covenant helps us appreciate the seriousness and depth of our commitment to Him. Dependence on God Holding fast to God requires recognizing our dependence on Him for strength, guidance, and sustenance in our daily lives. Consistency in Faith The Israelites' past faithfulness serves as a model for us to consistently trust and obey God in all circumstances. Community Encouragement Encouraging one another in the faith is vital, as we are part of a community that supports each other in holding fast to the LORD. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 23:8?2. How can we "hold fast to the LORD" in our daily lives today? 3. What does Joshua 23:8 teach about loyalty to God amidst worldly influences? 4. How does Joshua 23:8 connect with Jesus' teachings on commitment in the Gospels? 5. In what ways can we strengthen our relationship with God as Joshua advises? 6. How can Joshua 23:8 inspire us to prioritize God in our decision-making? 7. How does Joshua 23:8 emphasize the importance of clinging to God in challenging times? 8. What historical context surrounds Joshua 23:8, and how does it impact its message? 9. How does Joshua 23:8 relate to the theme of faithfulness in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 23? 11. What does 'hold fast' mean in the Bible? 12. What does "hold fast" mean in the Bible? 13. If Joshua 23 emphasizes exclusive worship of Yahweh, why do historical records suggest continued syncretism and idolatry among the Israelites? 14. Why does Zechariah 6:8 mention God's spirit finding rest in the north country if He is believed to be present everywhere? What Does Joshua 23:8 Mean Instead- The word signals a sharp contrast with verse 7, where Israel is warned not to mingle with the remaining pagan nations or take oaths in the names of their gods. - Joshua is saying, “Choose the opposite path; reject compromise.” Similar calls to separation appear in 2 Corinthians 6:17 and Romans 12:2. - The verse reminds us that obedience often involves replacing a wrong allegiance with a right one. you shall hold fast - “Hold fast” pictures a firm, unwavering grip—like a vine clinging to a wall (Deuteronomy 10:20; 11:22). - It is an active, continuing choice, much like Jesus’ call to “abide” in John 15:4–5. - Practical outworking: • Stay in His Word daily (Psalm 119:31). • Guard your heart from competing loyalties (1 John 5:21). • Remain faithful in trials (James 1:12). to the LORD your God - The object of devotion is the covenant God who rescued Israel (Joshua 23:3). - “LORD” (YHWH) underscores His unchanging faithfulness; “your God” highlights personal relationship (Psalm 63:8). - Clinging to Him brings victory (Deuteronomy 4:4) and protection (James 4:8). as you have done - Joshua commends past faithfulness: they had followed the Lord through conquest (Joshua 24:31). - This affirmation shows that continued obedience is possible; past victories encourage present confidence (1 Samuel 7:12). - Remembering God’s past work fuels present commitment (Psalm 77:11–12). to this day - Faithfulness is not a one-time decision but a lifelong pursuit (Hebrews 3:14). - The phrase roots the command in real history and urges perseverance “until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). - It reminds believers that steady obedience today prepares us for tomorrow (Galatians 6:9). summary Joshua 23:8 calls God’s people to reject idolatrous entanglements and actively cling to the LORD with the same steadfast loyalty that has marked their past. The verse underscores a decisive, ongoing attachment to the covenant-keeping God, grounded in His faithfulness and sustained by daily obedience. Verse 8. - But cleave unto the Lord your God. Or, ye shall cleave unto Jehovah your God. The phrase denotes the intimate union between God and the soul (see above, and Genesis 2:24).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Instead,כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you shall hold fast תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ (tiḏ·bā·qū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit to the LORD בַּיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God, אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you have done עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם (‘ă·śî·ṯem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make to עַ֖ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while this הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that day. הַיּ֥וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day Links Joshua 23:8 NIVJoshua 23:8 NLT Joshua 23:8 ESV Joshua 23:8 NASB Joshua 23:8 KJV Joshua 23:8 BibleApps.com Joshua 23:8 Biblia Paralela Joshua 23:8 Chinese Bible Joshua 23:8 French Bible Joshua 23:8 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 23:8 But hold fast to Yahweh your God (Josh. Jos) |
    |