Joshua reminds them that their ancestor Abraham's father, Terah, and even Abraham himself, were idolaters. This isn't to shame them, but to powerfully underscore that their entire heritage and national identity were built not on any merit of their own, but entirely on God's sovereign choice and gracious initiative.
And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Gathered with all of Israel's tribes at Shechem, Joshua addresses the elders, judges, and officers, speaking directly to the people in God's name. He begins by reminding them of their ancestors who lived beyond the Euphrates River and served other gods, a point made to underscore that their heritage was not inherently superior, but chosen by God's grace. This historical preamble sets the stage for Joshua's recounting of God's faithful actions throughout Israel's history, leading up to their current possession of the promised land.
Did you know that the very foundation of Israel's lineage began in a land filled with idol worship? Joshua starts this pivotal speech by reminding them of their roots.
Joshua confronts the Israelites with a striking truth: their forefathers, including prominent figures like Terah (Abraham's father) and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and 'served other gods.' This isn't a minor detail; it's a foundational point for Joshua's message.
The Purpose of This Reminder
If their ancestors were idolaters, how did they become God's chosen people? Joshua points to a radical, humbling truth about God's initiative.
The critical takeaway from Joshua's opening is that God's choice of Israel was not based on any merit or special quality in their ancestors. They were, like everyone else, steeped in idolatry.
The Unmerited Call
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The proper name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and holiness. It is the personal name by which God desires to be known by His people.
abad · Hebrew Verb
The act of religious devotion, worship, or service rendered to a deity or master. In a biblical context, it frequently refers to the exclusive allegiance due to the one true God or the tragic error of giving that allegiance to idols.
elohim acherim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Objects, entities, or concepts that take the place of God in a person's life. In the Bible, they are strictly condemned as deceptive and powerless, representing a rebellion against the exclusive sovereignty of the Creator.
Kena'an · Hebrew Proper Noun
The specific territory promised by God to Abraham and his descendants as a perpetual possession. It serves as a sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
zera · Hebrew Noun
Literally 'seed,' referring to descendants, progeny, or heirs. In the covenantal context, it often points forward to the collective people of God and ultimately to Christ.
Joshua reminds the people that their ancestry began in a land of idol worship, emphasizing that their identity and blessings come solely from God's choice and faithfulness, not their lineage.
c. 2100 BC
Terah's family lives in Ur of the Chaldeans
Terah, Abraham's father, lived in Ur, a major Mesopotamian city. At this time, the region was a hub of diverse cultures and religions, and Terah's household, including Abraham and Nahor, served various gods.
c. 2090 BC— this verse
God calls Abraham from Ur
God called Abraham, Terah's son, to leave his homeland and family in Ur and journey to a land God would show him, marking the beginning of a special covenant relationship.
c. 1850-1450 BC
Jacob and his family move to Egypt
Jacob and his descendants settled in Egypt during a time of famine. This migration led to a period of growth for the Israelites but eventually resulted in their enslavement.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites were dramatically delivered from Egyptian bondage after centuries of oppression, marking a pivotal moment in their history.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, the Israelites, led by Joshua, began their military conquest of the Promised Land, driving out various Canaanite nations.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the land of Canaan
Following the conquest, the land was systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joshua's final address in Shechem occurs shortly after this division and consolidation.
This passage directly names Terah, Abraham's father, dwelling in Ur of the Chaldeans and serving other gods, setting the stage for God's call of Abraham from that very place. It highlights the idolatrous background from which God chose to begin His covenant people.
Nehemiah 9:7-8This prayer recounts God's choosing of Abraham and leading him from Ur, specifically mentioning that Abraham's ancestors served other gods. It mirrors Joshua's message by emphasizing God's sovereign choice and faithfulness despite the people's (and their ancestors') past in idolatry.
Isaiah 51:1-2This passage directly references Abraham as the 'father' who was 'alone' when God called him, echoing Joshua's reminder of Abraham's solitary call from a land of idolaters. It emphasizes God's foundational work in setting apart Abraham for His purposes.
Ezekiel 20:5-7Here, Ezekiel reminds Israel that their forefathers 'chose what I wanted not' and that God commanded them to 'throw away the detestable things they saw' even while living in Egypt. This parallels Joshua's reminder that their ancestors served other gods, underscoring a recurring theme of God's patient pursuit of His people despite their inclination toward idolatry.
wesleyJoshua 24:2: "And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods."
24:2 The people - To the elders, by whom it was to be imparted to all the rest, and to as many of the people as came thither. He spake to them in God's name, and as from him, in the language of a prophet, Thus saith the Lord. Jehovah, the great God, and the Go…
calvinJoshua 24:1-14: "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God."
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Congregavit itaque [194] Josue omnes tribus Israel in Sichem, vocavi…
Joshua reminds them that their ancestor Abraham's father, Terah, and even Abraham himself, were idolaters. This isn't to shame them, but to powerfully underscore that their entire heritage and national identity were built not on any merit of their own, but entirely on God's sovereign choice and gracious initiative.
Gathered with all of Israel's tribes at Shechem, Joshua addresses the elders, judges, and officers, speaking directly to the people in God's name. He begins by reminding them of their ancestors who lived beyond the Euphrates River and served other gods, a point made to underscore that their heritage was not inherently superior, but chosen by God's grace. This historical preamble sets the stage for Joshua's recounting of God's faithful actions throughout Israel's history, leading up to their current possession of the promised land.
Gathered with all of Israel's tribes at Shechem, Joshua addresses the elders, judges, and officers, speaking directly to the people in God's name. He begins by reminding them of their ancestors who lived beyond the Euphrates River and served other gods, a point made to underscore that their heritage was not inherently superior, but chosen by God's grace. This historical preamble sets the stage for Joshua's recounting of God's faithful actions throughout Israel's history, leading up to their current possession of the promised land.
"And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyo…" — Joshua reminds them that their ancestor Abraham's father, Terah, and even Abraham himself, were idolaters. This isn't to shame them, but to powerfully underscore that their entire heritage and nation…
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Last reviewed October 2026
