Joshua 8 32

Joshua 8:32 kjv

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.

Joshua 8:32 nkjv

And there, in the presence of the children of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written.

Joshua 8:32 niv

There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses.

Joshua 8:32 esv

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.

Joshua 8:32 nlt

And as the Israelites watched, Joshua copied onto the stones of the altar the instructions Moses had given them.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 32 Meaning

Joshua 8:32 describes Joshua's direct obedience to God's command given through Moses (Deut 27:1-8). On Mount Ebal, in the sight of the entire nation, Joshua inscribed key stipulations or a summary of God's Law onto large plastered stones. This act symbolized Israel's public covenant renewal and commitment to live by God's instructions as they began their life in the Promised Land. It affirmed that their inheritance and future well-being were contingent upon their adherence to divine statutes, making the Law central to their national identity and destiny.

Joshua 8 32 Context

Joshua 8:32 is found within a pivotal section of the book of Joshua, immediately following Israel's second, victorious assault on Ai (Josh 8:1-29) and the execution of the King of Ai. This success came after the previous defeat due to Achan's sin and subsequent atonement, signifying Israel's restored right relationship with God. With Ai conquered and their faith re-established, Joshua leads the entire nation northward to the valleys between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, the location specifically commanded by Moses for a grand covenant renewal ceremony (Deut 27:1-10; 11:29-30). Verse 32 describes a key part of this ceremony: the public inscription of the Law, serving as a foundational act of obedience and reaffirming Israel's commitment to the covenant as they occupied the land. The verses following (Josh 8:33-35) detail the blessings and curses ceremony and the public reading of the entire Law, underscoring the collective participation and responsibility of the nation.

Joshua 8 32 Word analysis

• And there (וְשָׁם - vĕshām): "And" connects this act directly to the previous events and instructions. "There" points precisely to the designated place between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (previously mentioned in Josh 8:30 and commanded in Deut 27:1-8). This highlights Joshua's exact fulfillment of divine instruction regarding location.
• he wrote (וַיִּכְתֹּב - vayyikhtov): From the Hebrew verb "katab" (כָּתַב), meaning to write, inscribe, or record. The verb indicates Joshua himself performing the act, not just commissioning it. This personal involvement underscores his leadership and dedication to God's commands. The act of writing implies permanence and official record.
• on the stones (עַל־הָאֲבָנִים - ʿal-hāʾăbānîm): Referring to the large, typically unhewn, stones as commanded in Deut 27:2. These stones were to be plastered with lime before writing, which would allow the text to be visible and serve as a public monument. The use of durable stone signifies the unchanging, enduring nature of God's Law and covenant.
• a copy (מִשְׁנֵה - mishneh): This term means a "duplicate," "second," or "repetition." In this context, it refers not to a verbatim transcription of the entire Pentateuch (which would be impractical on stones) but rather a significant summary, perhaps the Ten Commandments, the core legal and moral stipulations, or the blessings and curses detailed in Deuteronomy. It represents the essential divine instruction relevant for the covenant renewal.
• of the law (תּוֹרַת - torat): From "Torah" (תּוֹרָה), meaning "instruction," "teaching," or "law." This is God's divine revelation and ethical directives for His people.
• of Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Moshe): Indicates that this instruction originated with God but was transmitted and formalized through Moses. Moses was the mediator of the old covenant Law, giving it divine authority.
• which he had written (אֲשֶׁר כָּתַב - ʾăsher kātav): This "he" refers to Joshua, connecting back to the initial "he wrote." It means that Joshua, as the scribe and executor, was making his own written copy of the law (as directed in Deut 27:8), not implying that Moses had pre-written something specifically for the stones here. This emphasizes Joshua’s meticulous adherence to God's command to him.
• in the presence (לִפְנֵי - lifnei): Literally "before the face of." This highlights the public and open nature of the act. Nothing was hidden; it was visible for all. This public display ensured witness, accountability, and a collective acknowledgment of the covenant.
• of the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - bĕney Yisrael): The entire nation, emphasizing the communal aspect of the covenant. It was not a private decree but a corporate commitment and a foundational moment for the whole community entering their promised inheritance.

• "And there he wrote on the stones": This phrase directly emphasizes the complete fulfillment of Moses' command in Deut 27:2-3 regarding both the specific location and the unique medium for the inscription. The plastered stones were a visual, physical testament.
• "a copy of the law of Moses": This signifies the content's divine authority (given through Moses) and its essential, summary nature, likely comprising the core tenets necessary for establishing their new life in Canaan under God's rule.
• "which he had written in the presence of the children of Israel": This phrase underlines Joshua's personal obedience and careful execution of the divine instructions. It also stresses the vital public nature of the ceremony, involving every Israelite as a witness to and participant in the covenant renewal.

Joshua 8 32 Bonus section

• Purpose of the Stones: The plastered stones were likely intended for a temporary, public display. Unlike the durable stone tablets of the Decalogue (Exod 31:18), plaster can eventually erode, suggesting the act of writing and the ceremony of reading (Josh 8:34-35) were of primary significance in establishing the covenant, rather than the permanent preservation of the physical text itself at this site. It marked a specific, formative moment.
• Polemical Statement: In a world where treaties and laws of various gods were inscribed on steles and monuments by pagan nations, Israel's public writing of Yahweh's Law was a powerful polemic. It declared Yahweh as the supreme and sole authority, distinct from the deities of Canaan, and affirmed that Israel's identity and governance derived exclusively from His revealed will, not from surrounding pagan practices.
• Pattern for Future Revivals: This event sets a precedent for later revivals in Israel's history (e.g., King Josiah in 2 Kgs 23, Ezra in Neh 8), where a return to and public declaration of God's written Law was foundational for national spiritual renewal and reform. It demonstrates the enduring power and necessity of the revealed Word.
• Significance for Leadership: Joshua's personal involvement in writing the Law models for all leaders the importance of deep personal engagement with God's Word and leading by example in obedience to divine instruction. It was not enough for him to command; he had to physically participate.

Joshua 8 32 Commentary

Joshua 8:32 encapsulates the profound truth that military victory and territorial conquest are meaningless without spiritual adherence to God's Word. By publicly inscribing the Law on plastered stones at Mount Ebal, Joshua demonstrated Israel's priority: establishing the covenant firmly in the heart of their land before continuing the conquest. This was more than a ceremonial act; it was a visible and tangible commitment to God's rule over their lives and their new territory. The Law, a divine gift given through Moses, served as Israel's constitution, distinguishing them from all other nations. This inscription ensured that the nation understood that their possession and flourishing in Canaan were fundamentally tied to their corporate obedience, rather than just military prowess or human strength. It set a foundational precedent for their relationship with God, reminding them that His word must always be central to their national and individual lives. This act foreshadows the future New Covenant where God promises to write His Law directly onto the hearts and minds of His people, a more internal and permanent inscription than any stone tablet.