And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
Read it in contextJoshua Renews the Covenant
Start reading at Joshua 8:30 (Joshua 8:30 to Joshua 8:35).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.
8:30Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
8:31As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
8:32And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
8:33And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
8:34And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
8:35There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Joshua is the traditional principal author, and Joshua 24:26 credits him with writing covenant words. The closing record of his death and later events means the completed account includes a later contribution. Biblical references: Joshua 24:26; Joshua 24:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joshua 7:1–8:35): Joshua, Israel's leaders and warriors, and Achan's household are involved in the defeat, judgment, and renewed attack on Ai. The people later hear the law at the covenant ceremony. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel living in the land and later generations learning how the land was allotted and why covenant faithfulness mattered. No individual first recipient is known. Biblical references: Joshua 4:6; Joshua 4:21; Joshua 24:24. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Joshua Renews the Covenant. Read Joshua 8:30 through Joshua 8:35 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account follows Moses' death and proceeds through the entry, campaigns, allotments, and Joshua's final covenant addresses. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The people cross from east of Jordan into Canaan. Campaign locations, tribal boundaries, and cities are distinct settings within that broader movement. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Joshua Renews the Covenant (Joshua 8:30 to Joshua 8:35).
Start reading at Joshua 8:30. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews 4 distinguishes the rest associated with Joshua from the rest still discussed in its exhortation. In the KJV of Hebrews 4:8, the name Jesus refers in context to Joshua. See Joshua 1:1, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Take the repeated calls to faithfulness and obedience seriously. Historical warfare commands to Israel should not be converted into permission for a reader's private violence. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joshua 8
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joshua
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book.
Connection to the wholeThe campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.