It is possible that people may have retained figurines of the various gods on account of their material value and Joshua is now calling them to throw these things away.1 Of interest is Joshua’s mentioning that Israel’s forefathers worshipped other gods in Egypt. This statement confirms what we read in Leviticus 17:7 which mentions goat idols to which Israel had sacrificed as well as Deuteronomy 32:16–17 where Moses had charged Israel with worshipping demons.2
14 “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.