33. Eleazar the son of Aaron died, and they buried him in . . . mount Ephraim—The sepulchre is at the modern village Awertah, which, according to Jewish travellers, contains the graves also of Ithamar, the brother of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar [VAN DE VELDE]. read more
D. The death and burial of Joshua and Eleazar 24:29-33These final verses record the end of Joshua’s life and ministry that terminated an important and successful era in Israel’s history. Israel’s success continued as long as the elders who had served Israel contemporaneously with Joshua lived (Joshua 24:31).Joshua died shortly after the renewal of the covenant just described (Joshua 24:1-28). He was 110 years old (Joshua 24:29), the same age as Joseph when he died (Genesis 50:26). Joshua... read more
Joshua’s Second and Final FarewellThis discourse (Joshua 24:1-15), with Israel’s response (Joshua 24:16-24), and consequent renewal of the Covenant (Joshua 24:25-28), occupies the bulk of the chapter. The book is then brought to a conclusion in three short paragraphs, recording (a) the death and burial of Joshua (Joshua 24:29-31), (b) the burial of Joseph’s bones (Joshua 24:32), and (c) the death of Eleazar (Joshua 24:33).1-15. This last address of Joshua, which is admitted by critics to be of... read more
(33) And Eleazar the son of Aaron died.—“Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun,” were the Moses and Aaron of this period. It is fitting that the Book of Joshua should close with the death of Eleazar, who was Joshua’s appointed counsellor; for when Joshua was given as a shepherd to Israel, in answer to the prayer of Moses, Eleazar was also given to Joshua for a counsellor (Numbers 27:21). At Eleazar’s word he was to go out and come in, “both he and all the children of Israel with him,... read more
The Eternal Choice Joshua 24:15 Joshua here calls Israel to decide between Jehovah's service and the service of other gods, such as their fathers served in Mesopotamia, or such as the neighbouring Amorites served. They were no longer to give a half-hearted service, but to choose whom they would serve wholly. The call did not imply neutrality, or that they were not bound to serve Jehovah; but it was meant to arouse the indifferent, and those who thought they could combine Jehovah's service with... read more
CHAPTER XXXII.JOSHUA’S LAST APPEAL.Joshua 24:1-33.IT was at Shechem that Joshua’s last meeting with the people took place. The Septuagint makes it Shiloh in one verse (Joshua 24:1), but Shechem in another (Joshua 24:25); but there is no sufficient reason for rejecting the common reading. Joshua might feel that a meeting which was not connected with the ordinary business of the sanctuary, but which was more for a personal purpose, a solemn leave-taking on his part from the people, might be held... read more
3. The Epilogue CHAPTER 24:29-33 1. Joshua’s death and burial (24:29-31) 2. The bones of Joseph buried (24:32) 3. Eleazar’s death (24:33) Moses, the instrument through whom the law was given, was buried by the Lord, no doubt a hint that some day the Lord would put away the law, with its curse, as we learn in the New Testament. Joshua was buried by the people in his own inheritance; he died ten years younger than Moses, that is 110 years old. Joseph had reached the same age, having died... read more
JOSHUA'S SUMMARY OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY (vs.1-13) For the second time, as Joshua neared the end of his life, he called Israel together, primarily the elders, heads, judges and officers (v.1), but including "all the people" (v.2). He then faithfully summarized Israel's history, from her fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob until the then present time. There is a striking similarity between this and the first part of Stephen's address in Acts 7:1-60. Abraham had dwelt with his father Terah on the... read more
COVENANT RENEWED , JOSHUA ’S END THE GATHERING AT SHILOH (Joshua 23:0 ) “A long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel,” refers to a period elapsing after the distribution of the land. We do not know how long it was, but Joshua is old and his departure is near (Joshua 23:1 ). This is a gathering of the leaders presumably at Shiloh, where the central place of worship was (Joshua 23:2 ). It is an occasion to exhort the people to faithfulness in their obligations to God, the... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 24:33
Ver. 33. And Eleazar—died— This event, probably, happened soon after the death of Joshua. The Samaritan Chronicle says, that Eleazar called together the elders and heads of the people before his death; and that after having exhorted them to piety, he stripped himself of his vestments, and put them upon Phinehas, his son and successor. We have no proof of this circumstance, but it is very probable. And they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son— A little hillock, or, according... read more