And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua didn't just write down the covenant; he added it to the existing "Book of the Law of God," highlighting that this covenant wasn't a new set of rules but a renewal of their commitment to God's existing commands. The stone served as a tangible, silent witness, a physical reminder under the ancient oak that even inanimate objects would testify against their disloyalty.
And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh off their solemn covenant to obey God, Joshua solidifies their commitment by inscribing these words in the official Law and setting up a large stone as a permanent, visible reminder under a tree near the Lord's sanctuary. This monument stands as a witness to their promises, intended to hold them accountable even after Joshua and the older generation would pass away.
Joshua didn't just make a promise; he made it undeniable. What does it mean to have God's words written down, and then physically marked by a stone?
After the people of Israel pledged themselves to the LORD, Joshua took extraordinary steps to make this covenant memorable and binding.
Twofold Witness:
Joshua declared the stone 'heard all the words of the LORD.' How can an inanimate object 'hear,' and what does this reveal about God's covenant?
Joshua's statement that the stone 'heard' the words of the LORD is a powerful, symbolic declaration. It's not that the stone literally possesses hearing, but its presence is meant to eternally bear witness.
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A Monumental Reminder:
Understand the original words
torah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the Pentateuch or the Mosaic covenant stipulations; it signifies the authoritative, revealed will of God for His people's conduct and relationship with Him.
elah · Hebrew Noun
A large tree, often used as a landmark or a site for significant religious or judicial gatherings in the Ancient Near East, symbolizing longevity and stability.
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
A holy, set-apart place where God's presence dwells or where His people gather for authorized worship; it signifies the meeting place between the holy God and His people.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His faithfulness, holiness, and active presence in history and with His people.
This act of recording the covenant and setting up a memorial stone highlights how ancient peoples used tangible, visible reminders to solidify solemn promises and ensure remembrance across generations.
c. 1400 BC
The Conquest of Canaan
Following generations in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites in conquering and dividing the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
c. 1375 BC— this verse
The Covenant Renewal at Shechem
Joshua convenes all Israel at Shechem to make a solemn covenant, challenging them to choose between serving the LORD and the gods of their neighbors.
c. 1375 BC
Joshua Records the Covenant
Joshua records the terms of the covenant in the Book of the Law and erects a stone monument as a perpetual witness to Israel's commitment.
c. 1375 BC
Joshua's Farewell and Death
After the covenant ceremony, Joshua dismisses the people and soon after dies at the age of 110, having served as Israel's faithful leader.
c. 1375 BC - 1350 BC
Period of Loyalty to the LORD
Israel serves the LORD faithfully throughout Joshua's lifetime and the lives of the elders who remember his deeds and God's power.
This passage describes Moses placing the 'book of the law' in the ark, providing a direct link to Joshua's action of writing the covenant words into that same sacred record.
Genesis 35:4The mention of an oak near the sanctuary echoes Jacob's burial of idols under an oak near Shechem, suggesting a site with a long history of covenant and commitment, now being repurposed for remembering God's law.
Exodus 24:4This earlier covenant-making event also involved writing down God's words and setting up memorial stones, highlighting a consistent pattern in Israel's history of solidifying their commitment to God through tangible reminders.
1 Samuel 10:25Similar to Joshua, Samuel also recorded the terms of a covenant (the establishment of kingship) and laid it up before the Lord, showing a lineage of leadership preserving solemn agreements in writing.
Joshua 4:3Just as Joshua later had stones taken from the Jordan River to serve as a memorial of God's mighty acts, this stone monument serves as a witness to the covenant people made, emphasizing the use of physical markers to remember God's faithfulness and their promises.
calvinJoshua 24:25-33: "So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem."
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest you deny your God.
Dixitque Josue ad universum populum, En lapis iste erit nobis in testimonium: ipse enim audivit omnia verba Jehovae quae loquutus est nobiscum, eritqu…
bensonJoshua 24:26: "And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD."
Joshua 24:26 . Joshua wrote these words — Namely, this covenant, or agreement of the people with the Lord. In the book of the law of God — That is, in the volume which was kept in the ark, ( Deuteronomy 31:9 ; Deuteronomy 31:26 ,) whence it was taken and put into this book of Joshua; this he did for the perpetual remembrance…
Joshua didn't just write down the covenant; he added it to the existing "Book of the Law of God," highlighting that this covenant wasn't a new set of rules but a renewal of their commitment to God's existing commands. The stone served as a tangible, silent witness, a physical reminder under the ancient oak that even inanimate objects would testify against their disloyalty.
Fresh off their solemn covenant to obey God, Joshua solidifies their commitment by inscribing these words in the official Law and setting up a large stone as a permanent, visible reminder under a tree near the Lord's sanctuary. This monument stands as a witness to their promises, intended to hold them accountable even after Joshua and the older generation would pass away.
Fresh off their solemn covenant to obey God, Joshua solidifies their commitment by inscribing these words in the official Law and setting up a large stone as a permanent, visible reminder under a tree near the Lord's sanctuary. This monument stands as a witness to their promises, intended to hold them accountable even after Joshua and the older generation would pass away.
"And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the LORD." — Joshua didn't just write down the covenant; he added it to the existing "Book of the Law of God," highlighting that this covenant wasn't a new set of rules but a renewal of their commitment to God's…
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Last reviewed October 2026