He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua doesn't just tell them to stop worshipping idols; he commands them to remove the "strange gods." This implies not just a change of heart, but an immediate, tangible act of purging anything that represents false worship from their lives, making way for an undivided devotion to God.
He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the people have solemnly vowed to serve the Lord alone, Joshua urges them to take a crucial practical step: to immediately discard any foreign gods they possess, whether brought from Egypt or acquired in Canaan. This command to outwardly remove idols is coupled with an inward plea to wholeheartedly commit themselves to the God of Israel, reinforcing the covenant they just renewed.
Joshua doesn't just want a promise; he demands action. What 'foreign gods' are cluttering up your life?
Joshua's command to 'put away the foreign gods that are among you' is a powerful call to immediate, outward action. This isn't just about private thoughts; it's about tangible things and practices that draw your heart away from God.
What are 'Foreign Gods'?
Joshua emphasizes that this 'putting away' must be done because these things have a way of lingering, subtly influencing and ultimately corrupting our devotion.
Making a choice for God isn't a one-time event; it's a continuous, active 'inclining' of your inner self.
The phrase 'incline your heart to the LORD' is more than just a passive wish; it's a volitional act. It speaks of a deep, intentional turning of one's affections, desires, and will towards God.
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What Does it Mean to 'Incline Your Heart'?
Joshua understood that the outward act of removing idols was essential, but the true victory lay in the internal disposition of the heart. This deliberate inclining is what allows for genuine, enduring worship.
Understand the original words
elohim nekar · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Deities belonging to other nations or peoples, which stand in direct opposition to the exclusive worship of the one true God; these are considered idols and worthless substitutes for the Creator.
natah · Hebrew Verb
To bend, turn, or stretch out; in a metaphorical sense, it refers to directing one's inner disposition, desire, and volition toward God.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
The seat of the intellect, will, emotions, and moral decision-making; it represents the core of a person's being where true devotion to God originates.
This command from Joshua comes at a pivotal moment where the Israelites have just reaffirmed their covenant with God after conquering Canaan. The presence of 'strange gods' signifies that despite their promises, ingrained habits and the lingering influence of surrounding cultures meant idolatry was still a tangible temptation, requiring an active purging from their midst.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This period brought them into close contact with the polytheistic cultures of the region.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Joshua's Farewell Address
Joshua gathers the Israelites to renew their covenant with the Lord. He recounts God's faithfulness and challenges them to choose whom they will serve, confronting their persistent pull towards idolatry.
c. 1390 BC
Covenant Renewal
The people pledge their loyalty to the LORD, but Joshua, sensing their lingering inclinations, commands them to remove any foreign gods they possess and commit wholeheartedly to Israel's God.
c. 1390 BC
Establishment of a Stone Memorial
A great stone was set up as a witness to the covenant, serving as a tangible reminder of the people's commitment and God's faithfulness.
c. 1375 BC
Death of Joshua
Joshua, the revered leader who had guided Israel through the conquest and covenant renewal, passes away, leaving the nation to navigate their commitment to God.
c. 1375 BC - 1076 BC
Period of the Judges
Following Joshua's death, Israel experiences cycles of faithfulness, apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, highlighting the ongoing struggle with idolatry and the need for divine intervention.
This passage emphasizes the absolute devotion required of God's people, paralleling Joshua's command to 'incline your heart to the LORD' by stating that you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
1 Samuel 7:3Similar to Joshua's directive to 'put away the foreign gods,' Samuel instructed the Israelites to prepare their hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone, showing a consistent theme of exclusive devotion to God throughout Israel's history.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching that no one can serve two masters directly echoes the core message of Joshua 24:23, highlighting the impossibility and spiritual danger of trying to divide one's allegiance between God and other 'gods' or desires.
1 Kings 18:21Elijah's challenging question to the people of Israel, 'How long will you go limping between two opinions?', powerfully illustrates the dilemma faced by those who, like the Israelites under Joshua, possess 'foreign gods' alongside their commitment to the LORD.
wesleyJoshua 24:23: "Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel."
24:23 Strange gods - Those idols which you either brought out of Egypt, or have taken in Canaan, which some of you keep contrary to God's command, whether for the preciousness of the matter, or rather for some secret inclination to superstition and idolatry.
calvinJoshua 24:15-24: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
- And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amori…
Joshua doesn't just tell them to stop worshipping idols; he commands them to remove the "strange gods." This implies not just a change of heart, but an immediate, tangible act of purging anything that represents false worship from their lives, making way for an undivided devotion to God.
After the people have solemnly vowed to serve the Lord alone, Joshua urges them to take a crucial practical step: to immediately discard any foreign gods they possess, whether brought from Egypt or acquired in Canaan. This command to outwardly remove idols is coupled with an inward plea to wholeheartedly commit themselves to the God of Israel, reinforcing the covenant they just renewed.
After the people have solemnly vowed to serve the Lord alone, Joshua urges them to take a crucial practical step: to immediately discard any foreign gods they possess, whether brought from Egypt or acquired in Canaan. This command to outwardly remove idols is coupled with an inward plea to wholeheartedly commit themselves to the God of Israel, reinforcing the covenant they just renewed.
"He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.”" — Joshua doesn't just tell them to stop worshipping idols; he commands them to remove the "strange gods." This implies not just a change of heart, but an immediate, tangible act of purging anything t…
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Last reviewed October 2026