Joshua 8 31

Joshua 8:31 kjv

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 hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Joshua 8:31 nkjv

as Moses the servant of the LORD had 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 wielded an iron tool." And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Joshua 8:31 niv

as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses?an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the LORD burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.

Joshua 8:31 esv

just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, "an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool." And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings.

Joshua 8:31 nlt

He followed the commands that Moses the LORD's servant had written in the Book of Instruction: "Make me an altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools." Then on the altar they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 31 Meaning

Joshua 8:31 describes the immediate obedience of the Israelites under Joshua's leadership to a specific divine command concerning the construction of an altar and the offering of sacrifices. This act, performed on Mount Ebal (implied by the preceding verse), marked a foundational step in Israel's covenant renewal and re-establishment of worship after their entry into the Promised Land and the initial victory over Ai. The emphasis is on the meticulous fulfillment of God's written law as transmitted through Moses, particularly the command to build an altar of unhewn stones, symbolizing purity, divine initiative over human artifice, and a rejection of pagan practices, followed by the specific offerings.

Joshua 8 31 Context

Joshua 8:31 is set immediately after Israel's military victory over Ai, following their previous defeat due to Achan's sin and subsequent repentance. This victory signals God's restored favor and power. Joshua leads the entire nation (as described in Josh 8:33-35) to Mount Ebal, as commanded by Moses in Deuteronomy 27. The building of this specific altar and the offering of sacrifices serve as a profound act of covenant renewal and re-dedication to Yahweh before the continuation of the military campaign. It signifies that Israel's success is predicated not on military might alone, but on faithful obedience to God's word and maintaining proper worship and relationship with Him. The construction of the altar and the associated rituals prioritize the spiritual foundation of their life in the land over territorial conquest.

Joshua 8 31 Word analysis

• as Moses (כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר מֹשֶׁה֙ - ka'asher Mosheh):

  • "as" (כַּאֲשֶׁר ka'asher): Implies conformity, according to, just as. Emphasizes strict adherence to prior divine instruction. Highlights Joshua's role as a faithful executor of Moses's, and thus God's, commands.
  • "Moses" (מֹשֶׁה Mosheh): The primary human law-giver and prophet. His name here anchors the command's authority and origin.

• the servant of the LORD (עֶ֣בֶד יְהוָ֔ה - 'eved YHWH):

  • "servant" (עֶבֶד 'eved): A profound title for Moses, denoting deep intimacy, loyalty, and absolute submission to God's will. It elevates Moses's words to divinely authorized commands.
  • "of the LORD" (יְהוָה YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal relationship with Israel and His supreme authority. This emphasizes that the command is from the ultimate divine source.

• commanded (צִוָּה֙ - tzivvah):

  • Implies a divine imperative, a directive given with authority that demands obedience. Not merely a suggestion but a binding instruction.

• the children of Israel (אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל - et-bene Yisra'el):

  • Signifies the entire nation, emphasizing collective responsibility and obedience. The command was for the whole community.

• as it is written (כַּכָּתוּב֙ - kakkatuv):

  • "as" (כָּ ka): Again, signifies conformity.
  • "written" (כָּתוּב katuv): Points to the fixed, authoritative, and unchanging nature of God's revealed will in the Scriptures. Underscores the enduring power and necessity of adhering to the written word.

• in the book of the law of Moses (בְּסֵ֖פֶר תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֑ה - besefer torat Mosheh):

  • "book" (סֵפֶר sefer): A concrete, physical scroll or document, containing the divine instructions.
  • "law" (תּוֹרָה Torah): Instruction, teaching, guidance; specifically referring to the Pentateuch, God's revelation of His will and covenant requirements. This confirms the divine origin and canonical authority of Moses's writings.

• an altar of unhewn stones (מִזְבַּ֨ח אֲבָנִ֧ים שְׁלֵמ֛וֹת - mizbeach avanim shlemot):

  • "altar" (מִזְבַּח mizbeach): A place for sacrifice and worship.
  • "unhewn stones" (אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמֹת avanim shlemot literally "whole stones" or "perfect stones"): This is crucial. It means stones left in their natural state, untouched by human tools. This principle ensures the altar is God's work, not man's. It resists human adornment or defilement and serves as a polemic against pagan altars, often elaborately carved with cultic symbols or even defiled by child sacrifice. It teaches humility and dependence on God's perfect provision, rather than human craftsmanship.

• on which no man has wielded an iron tool (אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־הֵנִ֛יף עֲלֵיהֶ֥ם בַּרְזֶ֖ל - asher lo-henif alehem barzel):

  • "no man" (לֹא־אִישׁ - lo-ish, implied from the verb "wielded"): Emphasizes divine sanctity.
  • "wielded" (הֵנִ֥יף henif): To lift up, swing, or use forcefully.
  • "iron tool" (בַּרְזֶל barzel): Any metal instrument. The prohibition underlines the sacredness of the altar; human work or defiling metallic instruments must not "defile" the natural stone chosen by God. Iron was also used for weapons and warfare, further suggesting a purity requirement.

• and they offered on it burnt offerings (וַיַּעֲלוּ עָלָיו עֹל֖וֹת לַֽיהוָ֑ה - vayya'alu alav 'oloth la'YHWH):

  • "offered" (וַיַּעֲלוּ vayya'alu literally "caused to ascend"): Refers to the burnt offering, where the entire animal ascended in smoke to God, signifying complete devotion, atonement for sin, and consecration.
  • "burnt offerings" (עֹל֖וֹת 'oloth): Sacrifices completely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing full surrender and atonement.

• to the LORD (לַֽיהוָ֑ה la'YHWH):

  • Clarifies the sole recipient and purpose of the sacrifices—worship and dedication to the one true God, Yahweh.

• and sacrificed peace offerings (וַיִּזְבְּח֖וּ שְׁלָמִֽים - vayyizbechu shlamim):

  • "sacrificed" (וַיִּזְבְּח֖וּ vayyizbechu): To slaughter and offer.
  • "peace offerings" (שְׁלָמִֽים shlamim): Sacrifices expressing fellowship, thanksgiving, and reconciliation with God. Parts were offered to God, parts given to the priests, and parts returned to the offerer to eat in a communal meal before God, symbolizing communion and well-being (shalom).

Words-group analysis

• "as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded... as it is written in the book of the law of Moses": This repeated emphasis highlights a twofold authority: the oral command (transmitted by Moses) and the written record (the Law). It demonstrates Joshua's complete faithfulness and Israel's obedience to God's precise instructions as documented. It establishes the unshakeable authority and infallibility of the divine word. This also serves as an indirect polemic against any oral tradition that deviates from the written law or any claim to authority not rooted in divine command.
• "an altar of unhewn stones, on which no man has wielded an iron tool": This detailed instruction goes beyond simply building an altar; it dictates the nature of the altar. The "unhewn stones" rule ensured simplicity, purity, and that human skill or artifice would not contaminate divine worship. It contrasts sharply with the often elaborate and ritually impure altars of Canaanite paganism. The ban on iron tools also speaks to the sanctity of the place of worship; an implement of war or labor had no place in preparing for divine encounter. The altar, therefore, reflected God's self-revelation—simple, pure, unblemished, not subject to human manipulation or defilement.
• "they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings": The pairing of these two primary offerings reflects the two crucial aspects of Israel's renewed relationship with God. The burnt offering speaks to full dedication and atonement, acknowledging God's holiness and man's sinfulness, and the need for complete consecration. The peace offering symbolizes restored fellowship, thanksgiving, and communion, where both God and man shared in the sacrifice (figuratively and literally in the communal meal). This duality demonstrates both reconciliation and a celebration of covenant relationship, moving from propitiation to fellowship.

Joshua 8 31 Bonus section

The specific location of this altar and covenant renewal ceremony, Mount Ebal, is deeply symbolic. Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:11-26 commanded that the curses of the covenant be proclaimed from Mount Ebal and the blessings from Mount Gerizim. By performing the altar ceremony and then writing the Law on plastered stones (as per Deut 27:2-4 and Josh 8:32), Israel was solemnly affirming its acceptance of the covenant's terms, including the consequences of disobedience, and publicly re-dedicating itself to God's ways. The altar itself was not to be a monument to human skill or pride but a raw, natural testament to God's initiative in providing the means for atonement and communion. The simplicity also ensures that all are equal before God at the altar, regardless of wealth or status that might afford more elaborate structures. The event thus functions as a monumental "way-marker" in Israel's history, securing their spiritual identity rooted in the Law and faithful worship even amidst their ongoing journey into the land.

Joshua 8 31 Commentary

Joshua 8:31 is not merely a descriptive historical account but a profoundly theological statement on the foundational principles of Israel's relationship with God after entering the promised land. Following the critical lessons from the Achan incident (Josh 7), Israel understood the dire consequences of disobedience. Their subsequent meticulous adherence to Moses's commands regarding the altar on Mount Ebal signified their recommitment to the covenant. The command to use unhewn stones for the altar is paramount: it teaches that true worship comes from the heart, acknowledges God's self-sufficiency, and eschews human-made embellishments or attempts to "improve" on divine instruction. It was a potent theological statement against the human tendency to shape God to our desires, echoing Exodus 20:25, where God prohibits crafting a worship object with tools that might represent a crafted idol.

The offerings, both burnt offerings (symbolizing full atonement and dedication) and peace offerings (symbolizing fellowship and gratitude), encapsulate the complete cycle of a restored relationship: forgiveness followed by communion. This entire ritual was performed before further territorial conquest, strategically emphasizing that spiritual alignment and covenant faithfulness precede and underpin all national success and prosperity. Joshua's immediate obedience models the proper posture of faith for the entire nation, reinforcing the supremacy of God's Word in all aspects of life, from war to worship. This historical moment served as a profound object lesson for future generations on the authority of Scripture, the purity of worship, and the necessity of complete obedience to the divine will for national and individual flourishing.