Joshua 8:30-33 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 8:30-35

This religious solemnity of which we have here an account comes in somewhat surprisingly in the midst of the history of the wars of Canaan. After the taking of Jericho and Ai, we should have expected that the next news would be of their taking possession of the country, the pushing on of their victories in other cities, and the carrying of the war into the bowels of the nation, now that they had made themselves masters of these frontier towns. But here a scene opens of quite another nature;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:30

Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal. As was commanded, Deuteronomy 27:5 . The Samaritan Chronicle says, it was built in Mount Gerizim; but there is a difficulty arises, when this was done by Joshua; it should seem by inserting the account here, that it was done immediately after the destruction of Ai; and Mercator endeavours to prove that Ebal was near to Ai, but what he has said does not give satisfaction; for certain it is, that Ebal and Gerizim were near... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:31

As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses ,.... Deuteronomy 27:5 , an altar of whole stones, on which no man hath lift up any iron ; See Gill on Exodus 20:25 ; see Gill on Deuteronomy 27:5 , and; see Gill on Deuteronomy 27:6 , and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings ; by way of thanksgiving for the good land they were introduced into, and this was what... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:32

And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses ,.... Not upon the stones of which the altar was made, though some have so thought; but upon other stones erected in the form of a pillar, and plastered over, Deuteronomy 27:4 ; which copy of the law was not the whole book of Deuteronomy, as some, at least only an abstract of the laws in it; but rather the decalogue, as Abarbinel; or the blessings and curses later read, as Ben Gersom: which he wrote in the presence of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:33

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark, and on that side ,.... Some on Ebal, and some on Gerizim: before the priests and the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord ; it being brought out of the tabernacle on this occasion, and bottle by the priests and Levites: as well the stranger, as he that was born among them ; that is, as well the proselytes as the native Israelites, both appeared and were in the same... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:30

Then Joshua built an altar - This was done in obedience to the express command of God, Deuteronomy 27:4-8 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:32

A copy of the law of Moses - תורת משנה mishneh torath , the repetition of the law; that is, a copy of the blessings and curses, as commanded by Moses; not a copy of the Decalogue, as some imagine, nor of the book of Deuteronomy, as others think; much less of the whole Pentateuch; but merely of that part which contained the blessings and curses, and which was to be read on this solemn occasion. See the note on Deuteronomy 27:3 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:33

Half of them over against Mount Gerizim - See the arrangement of the whole of this business in the note and observations on Deuteronomy 27:26 ; (note). And see also the notes on Deuteronomy 28:1-68 (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:30

Verse 30 30.Then Joshua built an altar, etc God had been pleased that this should be the first extraordinary sacrifice offered to him in the land of Canaan, that thus the people might attest their gratitude, and the land begin to be consecrated in regular form. It was not possible for the people to do it before freely and on their own soil, till they had obtained possession of some vacant region. (77) Now, God had at the same time given them two commands — first, that they should erect an altar... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:32

Verse 32 32.And he wrote there upon the stones, etc A different rule is applicable to the stones here mentioned, on which God wished that a memorial of his Law should always appear, in order that, a kind of barrier might be interposed to protect the pure religion against the superstitions of Egypt. They were therefore covered with lime, that they might be more conspicuous, and the writing upon them more distinct. I willingly subscribe to the opinion of those who understand by the repeated Law a... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 8:30-35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:33

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:33

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:30

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:32

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