Joshua 23:12 · King James Version
Joshua 23:12 in the Original Hebrew
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Joshua 23:12 in Other Translations
| KJV | 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: |
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| WEB | “But if you do at all go back, and hold fast to the remnant of these nations, even these who remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you; |
| ASV | Else if ye do at all go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you; |
| YLT | ‘But—if ye at all turn back and have cleaved to the remnant of these nations, these who are left with you, and intermarried with them, and gone in to them, and they to you, |
| WBT | Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave to the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and associate with them, and they with you: |
| DBY | For if ye in any wise go back, and cleave unto the residue of these nations, these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and come in unto them and they unto you: |
Commentary on Joshua 23:12
Expositions from classic Bible commentators.
John Gill · 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 their daughters to the sons of Canaanites, or admit the daughters of Canaanites to be married to their sons:
and go in unto them, and they to you; which is expressive of the consummation of marriage, and of the performance of the conjugal duty,
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Joshua 23:12
BY THREATENINGS IN CASE OF DISOBEDIENCE. (Jos 23:12)
Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations--As marriage connections with the idolatrous Canaanites would present many and strong temptations to transgress it, these were strictly prohibited (Exo 34:12-16; Deu 7:3). With his eye, as it were, upon those prohibitions, Joshua threatens them with the certain withdrawal of the divine aid in the further expulsion of the Canaanites (a threat founded Exo 23:33; Num 33:55; Deu 7:16).
Next: Joshua Chapter 24
Read Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's full commentary on Joshua 23 →
Cross References for Joshua 23:12
Related passages, ranked by how often readers connect them. Cross-reference data from openbible.info (CC-BY).
Questions about Joshua 23:12
What does Joshua 23:12 say?
Joshua 23:12 in the King James Version reads: “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:” Read it in the full context of Joshua 23, alongside the classic commentary on this page.
Where is Joshua 23:12 found in the Bible?
Joshua 23:12 is in the book of Joshua, chapter 23, verse 12, in the Old Testament.
What Bible translation is Joshua 23:12 shown in?
This is the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation. You can compare how other translations render Joshua 23:12 in the table on this page.
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.