SEV Biblia, Chapter 23:12
Porque si os apartaréis, y os allegaréis a lo que resta de aquellos gentiles que han quedado con vosotros, y si concertaréis con ellos matrimonios, y entrareis a ellas, y ellas a vosotros;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 23:12
Verse 12. 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. Else if ye do in any wise go back , etc.] 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, Ver. 13 . Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out [any] of these nations from before you , etc.] Or, “knowing ye shall know” f522 ; or “know ye”; this may be taken for granted, or the fullest proof, and clearest demonstration, and strongest assurance will be given of it, that in case of such bad conduct, and disobedience to the will of God, no more of the nations of the Canaanites will be driven out of the cities in which they are: but they shall be snares and traps unto you ; who by their bad examples would draw them both to idolatry and superstitious worship, and into all irreligion, profaneness, and immorality, as they did, ( <19A635> Psalm 106:35-39); and scourges in your sides ; who either, by ensnaring them, would get an advantage over them, and distress them in their persons, families, and estates; or would be the means of the Lord’s correcting and chastising them with the rod and stripes of men, for the iniquities these would draw them into; the allusion is to scourges and lashes laid on the sides of men, or to goads with which beasts are pushed on their sides and driven: and thorns in your eyes ; very troublesome and distressing; for even a mote in the eye is very afflicting: and much more a thorn; (see Gill on “ Numbers 33:55”). Jarchi interprets this word by camps surrounding them, as shields do the bodies of men, and which is approved of by Gussetius f523 : until ye perish from off this good land, which the Lord your God hath given you ; by sword, famine, pestilence, or captivity, which has been their case.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 11-16 - Would we cleave to the Lord, we must always stand upon our guard, for many a soul is lost through carelessness. Love the Lord your God, an you will not leave him. Has God been thus true to you? Be not you fals to him. He is faithful that has promised, Heb 10:23. The experience of every Christian witnesses the same truth. Conflicts may have bee severe and long, trials great and many; but at the last he wil acknowledge that goodness and mercy followed him all the days of his life. Joshua states the fatal consequences of going back; know for certainty it will be your ruin. The first step would be, friendshi with idolaters; the next would be, marrying with them; the end of tha would be, serving their gods. Thus the way of sin is down-hill, an those who have fellowship with sinners, cannot avoid having fellowshi with sin. He describes the destruction he warns them of. The goodnes of the heavenly Canaan, and the free and sure grant God has made of it will add to the misery of those who shall for ever be shut out from it Nothing will make them see how wretched they are, so much, as to se how happy they might have been. Let us watch and pray agains temptation. Let us trust in God's faithfulness, love, and power; let u plead his promises, and cleave to his commandments, then we shall be happy in life, in death, and for ever __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 אם 518 שׁוב 7725 תשׁובו 7725 ודבקתם 1692 ביתר 3499 הגוים 1471 האלה 428 הנשׁארים 7604 האלה 428 אתכם 854 והתחתנתם 2859 בהם ובאתם 935 בהם והם׃ 1992
