Joshua 8:32
And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook that Joshua didn't just write a copy of the law, but a "repetition" of it, likely inscribing key parts—perhaps the Ten Commandments or the blessings and curses—onto plastered stones. This wasn't just for Israel's memory, but served as a public, enduring testament for anyone encountering them.
Following the conquest of Ai and the subsequent commands from Moses, Joshua led the people to Mount Ebal. There, they built an altar of unhewn stones and offered sacrifices, fulfilling ancient directives. Immediately after these acts of worship and in plain sight of all Israel, Joshua inscribed a copy of the Law onto plastered stones, ensuring its public visibility and solemn commitment.
Imagine a brand new nation, just stepping into their promised home. How do they remember God's commands as they settle in?
Joshua's act of writing the Law on stones wasn't just a symbolic gesture; it was a practical way to make God's Word visible and accessible.
Did Joshua write the entire Bible on these stones? What exactly did this 'copy of the law' entail?
The phrase 'a copy of the law of Moses' doesn't necessarily mean every single word of the Pentateuch was inscribed. Scholars suggest it referred to the most crucial parts:
Understand the original words
torah · Hebrew Noun
The divine instruction or teaching given by God to His people. It acts as the blueprint for life, revealing His character and the requirements for living in a holy relationship with Him.
c. 1400 BC
Moses Receives the Law
God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws on Mount Sinai, forming the covenant with Israel.
c. 1400 BC
Moses Writes the Law
Moses records God's laws in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), as commanded by God.
c. 1400 BC
Command to Write Law on Stones
God instructs Moses that after entering the Promised Land, the Law should be written on stones on Mount Ebal.
c. 1400 BC
Blessings and Curses Proclaimed
Moses commands that blessings and cursings be proclaimed from Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal respectively, tied to obedience to the Law.
c. 1375 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Led by Joshua after Moses' death, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of Canaan.
This passage directly commands the erection of altar stones and the inscribing of the Law onto plastered stones, providing the foundational context for Joshua's action in chapter 8.
Deuteronomy 31:10-13Moses commanded that the Law be read publicly every seven years, a practice that Joshua is fulfilling here, demonstrating the ongoing importance of the written Law for the people.
Psalm 119:105This psalm beautifully illustrates the concept of God's Word as a lamp and light, a profound truth embodied by Joshua literally writing the Law onto stones for all to see.
Nehemiah 8:1-3This later passage shows Ezra reading the Law to the people, echoing Joshua's public display and reading of the Law, highlighting its continuous significance throughout Israel's history.
calvinJoshua 8:30-35: "Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,"
As 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 has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
Quemadmodum praeceperat Moses servus Jehovae filiis Israel: sicut scriptum est in libro legis Mosis, altare ex lapidibus integris,…
cambridgeJoshua 8:32: "And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel."
32 . a copy of the law ] “Short declaracioun of the lawe of Moyses,” Wyclif. This has been variously interpreted as meaning ( a ) the whole Law; ( b ) the Decalogue; ( c ) the Book of Deuteronomy; ( d ) the “commandments” proper, the “statutes” and “rights” contained in the Pentateuch, “six hundred and thirteen in number, according to the Jewish reckoning, not…
It's easy to overlook that Joshua didn't just write a copy of the law, but a "repetition" of it, likely inscribing key parts—perhaps the Ten Commandments or the blessings and curses—onto plastered stones. This wasn't just for Israel's memory, but served as a public, enduring testament for anyone encountering them.
Following the conquest of Ai and the subsequent commands from Moses, Joshua led the people to Mount Ebal. There, they built an altar of unhewn stones and offered sacrifices, fulfilling ancient directives. Immediately after these acts of worship and in plain sight of all Israel, Joshua inscribed a copy of the Law onto plastered stones, ensuring its public visibility and solemn commitment.
Following the conquest of Ai and the subsequent commands from Moses, Joshua led the people to Mount Ebal. There, they built an altar of unhewn stones and offered sacrifices, fulfilling ancient directives. Immediately after these acts of worship and in plain sight of all Israel, Joshua inscribed a copy of the Law onto plastered stones, ensuring its public visibility and solemn commitment.
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Why was writing the Law so important, and why did it have to be done 'in the presence of the people of Israel'?
This act was more than just obedience; it was a public declaration of faith and commitment for the entire nation.
c. 1375 BC
Conquest of Ai and Altar Building
After the victory at Ai, Joshua obeys God's command to build an altar of unhewn stones on Mount Ebal and offers sacrifices.
c. 1375 BC— this verse
Joshua Writes Law on Stones
Joshua inscribes a copy of the Law of Moses onto plastered stones on Mount Ebal in the presence of all Israel, fulfilling an ancient command.
"And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written." — It's easy to overlook that Joshua didn't just write a copy of the law, but a "repetition" of it, likely inscribing key parts—perhaps the Ten Commandments or the blessings and curses—onto plastered…
