Joshua 24:18
New International Version
And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.”

New Living Translation
It was the LORD who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the LORD, for he alone is our God.”

English Standard Version
And the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

Berean Standard Bible
And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!”

King James Bible
And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.

New King James Version
And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

New American Standard Bible
The LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

NASB 1995
“The LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

NASB 1977
“And the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve Yahweh, for He is our God.”

Amplified Bible
The LORD drove all the peoples out from before us, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD drove out before us all the peoples, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will worship the LORD, because he is our God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD drove out before us all the peoples, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will worship the LORD, because He is our God.”

American Standard Version
and Jehovah drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites that dwelt in the land: therefore we also will serve Jehovah; for he is our God.

Contemporary English Version
And when we fought the Amorites and the other nations that lived in this land, the LORD made them run away. Yes, we will worship and obey the LORD, because the LORD is our God.

English Revised Version
and the LORD drave out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore we also will serve the LORD; for he is our God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD forced out all the people ahead of us, including the Amorites who lived in this land. We, too, will serve the LORD, because he is our God."

Good News Translation
As we advanced into this land, the LORD drove out all the Amorites who lived here. So we also will serve the LORD; he is our God."

International Standard Version
The LORD expelled all the people before us, including the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore, we also will serve the LORD, since he is our God."

Majority Standard Bible
And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!?

NET Bible
The LORD drove out from before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. So we too will worship the LORD, for he is our God!"

New Heart English Bible
The LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD; for he is our God."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites who dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.

World English Bible
Yahweh drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve Yahweh; for he is our God.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and YHWH casts out the whole of the peoples, even the Amorite inhabiting the land, from our presence; we also serve YHWH, for He [is] our God.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Jehovah casteth out the whole of the peoples, even the Amorite inhabiting the land, from our presence; we also do serve Jehovah, for He is our God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will drive out all the peoples, and the Amorite dwelling in the land, from our face: also we will serve Jehovah, for he is our God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he hath cast out all the nations, the Amorrhite the inhabitant of the land into which we are come. Therefore we will serve the Lord, for he is our God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he cast out all the nations, the Amorite, the inhabitant of the land that we entered. And so, we will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

New American Bible
At our approach the LORD drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

New Revised Standard Version
and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD destroyed from before us all these peoples, the Amorites in whose land we dwell; the LORD destroyed them from before us; therefore we will serve the LORD; for he is the only God, and he is our God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH our God destroyed all of these nations and the Amorites where we dwell in their land. LORD JEHOVAH destroyed them in front of us, because of this, LORD JEHOVAH is he whom we serve, because he is God, he alone, and he is our God!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites that dwelt in the land; therefore we also will serve the LORD; for He is our God.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord cast out the Amorite, and all the nations that inhabited the land from before us: yea, we will serve the Lord, for he is our God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Choose Whom You will Serve
17For the LORD our God brought us and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and performed these great signs before our eyes. He also protected us throughout our journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!” 19But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:31-33
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. / You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Deuteronomy 7:1-2
When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Judges 2:7
And the people served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, who had seen all the great works that the LORD had done for Israel.

1 Samuel 12:10-11
Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

Psalm 44:2-3
With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out. / For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

Nehemiah 9:24-25
So their descendants went in and possessed the land; You subdued before them the Canaanites dwelling in the land. You delivered into their hands the kings and peoples of the land, to do with them as they wished. / They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Hebrews 11:30-31
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. / By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

Deuteronomy 4:38
to drive out before you nations greater and mightier than you, and to bring you into their land and give it to you for your inheritance, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 9:4-5
When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. / It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Psalm 78:55
He drove out nations before them and apportioned their inheritance; He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Judges 6:9
I delivered you out of the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors. I drove them out before you and gave you their land.

2 Samuel 7:23
And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.

Psalm 136:17-22
He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. / and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever. / Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelled in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.

will we also

Exodus 10:2
And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Psalm 116:16
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

Jump to Previous
Amorite Amorites Casteth Drave Drove Dwelt Including Inhabiting Nations Peoples Presence Servants Serve Whole
Jump to Next
Amorite Amorites Casteth Drave Drove Dwelt Including Inhabiting Nations Peoples Presence Servants Serve Whole
Joshua 24
1. Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem
2. A brief history of God's benefits from Terah
14. He renews the covenant between them and God
26. A stone the witness of the covenant
29. Joshua's age, death, and burial
32. Joseph's bones are buried
33. Eleazar dies














And the LORD drove out before us all the nations
This phrase highlights God's active role in the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites attribute their victories to divine intervention rather than their own military prowess. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). The driving out of nations is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing God's sovereignty and faithfulness. It also serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience leads to divine assistance.

including the Amorites who lived in the land
The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land before the Israelite conquest. Historically, the Amorites were known for their fortified cities and advanced culture. Their mention here underscores the significant challenge they posed to the Israelites. The defeat of the Amorites is a testament to God's power and the fulfillment of His promise to give Israel the land. This also connects to earlier biblical narratives, such as the defeat of Sihon and Og, Amorite kings, in Numbers 21:21-35, which demonstrated God's might and set the stage for the conquest of Canaan.

We too will serve the LORD
This declaration by the Israelites is a reaffirmation of their commitment to the covenant with God. It echoes the covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem, where Joshua challenges the people to choose whom they will serve (Joshua 24:14-15). The people's response indicates their recognition of God's past deeds and their desire to remain faithful. This commitment is crucial for maintaining their identity as God's chosen people and ensuring His continued favor and protection.

because He is our God!
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the Israelites and God. It reflects the covenantal bond established at Sinai, where God declared, "I will be your God, and you will be My people" (Exodus 6:7). The acknowledgment of God as "our God" signifies exclusive worship and allegiance, rejecting the gods of the surrounding nations. This personal and communal relationship with God is foundational to Israel's identity and mission. It also foreshadows the New Testament understanding of believers as God's people through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and led them into the Promised Land.

2. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, who is addressing the Israelites in this passage.

3. The Israelites
The people of God, who are being reminded of God's faithfulness and their covenant obligations.

4. The Amorites
One of the Canaanite nations that inhabited the Promised Land before the Israelites conquered it.

5. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God is faithful to His promises, as demonstrated by His actions in driving out the nations before Israel. We can trust Him to fulfill His promises in our lives.

Covenant Commitment
Just as the Israelites declared their intention to serve the LORD, we are called to renew our commitment to God, recognizing Him as our God and Savior.

Divine Empowerment
The victories of Israel were not by their own might but by God's power. We should rely on God's strength rather than our own abilities in our spiritual battles.

Avoiding Idolatry
The command to drive out the nations was to prevent idolatry. We must be vigilant in removing anything from our lives that competes with our devotion to God.

Historical Reflection
Reflecting on God's past deliverances can strengthen our faith and encourage us to remain faithful in the present.Verse 18. - Therefore will we also serve the Lord. There is an ambiguity in our version which does not exist in the Hebrew. There is no "therefore," which only serves to obscure the sense, and which is borrowed from the Vulgate. The LXX., which has ἀλλὰ καί, gives the true sense. After the enumeration of the great things God Jehovah has done for them, the Israelites break off, and, referring to the declaration of Joshua in ver. 15, "but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah," reply, "we too will serve Jehovah, for He is our God."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

drove out
וַיְגָ֨רֶשׁ (way·ḡā·reš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1644: To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce

before us
מִפָּנֵ֑ינוּ (mip·pā·nê·nū)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 6440: The face

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the nations,
הָעַמִּ֗ים (hā·‘am·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

including the Amorites
הָאֱמֹרִ֛י (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe

who lived
יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the land.
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

We
אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

too
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

will serve
נַעֲבֹ֣ד (na·‘ă·ḇōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

because
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is our God!”
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


Links
Joshua 24:18 NIV
Joshua 24:18 NLT
Joshua 24:18 ESV
Joshua 24:18 NASB
Joshua 24:18 KJV

Joshua 24:18 BibleApps.com
Joshua 24:18 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 24:18 Chinese Bible
Joshua 24:18 French Bible
Joshua 24:18 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 24:18 Yahweh drove out from before us all (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 24:17
Top of Page
Top of Page