Joshua 8:31

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 8:31

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:30-35

The fruits of victory. "Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord.… And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses … And he read all the words of the law." There is always danger in the moment after victory. We remember how Hannibal lost, amid the enervating luxuries of Capua, the fruit of the battle of Cannae. The most seductive Capua to the people of God is spiritual pride, which seeks to take to itself the glory which belongs to God alone. Woe to those who sleep upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:30-35

The setting up the law. The provision for the due observance of God's law was one of the most remarkable features of the invasion of Canaan by Joshua. Twice was the command given in Deuteronomy by Moses ( Deuteronomy 11:29 , 36, and Deuteronomy 27:2-13 ), and the spot fixed on beforehand, no doubt because of its central position in Palestine. We have already observed, in the notes on Deuteronomy 5:1-33 ; on the scrupulous care to fulfil the provisions of the law with which the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:30-35

The altar on Ebal, and the reading and recording of the law. We come on this scene unexpectedly. War, with its stratagems, its carnage, its inversion of ancient order, was filling our mind. But suddenly, instead of the camp, there is the religious assembly; sacrifice instead of slaughter; instead of the destruction of heathen cities, the erection of monumental inscriptions of the law. The mustering of the whole people to learn and accept afresh God's great law. It was not a casual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:30-35

Sacrifice and law. This religious solemnity is a fulfilment of the command given by Moses in Deuteronomy 27:1-26 . It is expressive of the fidelity of Joshua to the sacred traditions of the past, and his loyalty to the Divine order and the Divine authority. The time is appropriate for such public homage to be paid to the God of Israel. It is the "right hand of the Lord" that has done so valiantly in the recent victories; to Him be all the glory. The land has been taken possession of in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 8:31

As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded (see Exodus 20:25 ; Deuteronomy 27:4 , Deuteronomy 27:5 ). Here, and in Joshua 8:33 , we find the writer making an extract from the Book of Deuteronomy. As has been before said, the natural explanation is that the Book of Joshua was written after the Book of Deuteronomy, and that the Book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses, or how could Joshua have carried out instructions which had never been given? The Elohist, Jehovist, and Denteronomist... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 8:30-35

The account of this solemnity is very brief. An acquaintance with Deuteronomy 27:0 is evidently presupposed; and the three several acts of which the solemnity consisted are only so far distinctly named as is necessary to show that the commands of Moses there given were fully carried out by Joshua.It is difficult to escape the conviction that these verses are here out of their proper and original place. The connection between Joshua 8:29, and Joshua 9:1, is natural and obvious; and in Joshua... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:1-35

Victory in central Canaan (8:1-9:27)Now that the Israelites had removed the cause of their defeat, God promised Joshua victory over Ai. He added that on this occasion the Israelites could keep the plunder for themselves (8:1-2).Even with God’s assurance of victory, Joshua planned the attack thoroughly. One company of soldiers was to draw the men of Ai out of the city to fight, then a second company would come out of hiding to attack Ai from the rear (3-9). The plan worked perfectly. When the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 8:31

Moses the servant of the LORD. See note on Deuteronomy 34:5 . children = sons. as = according as. Book of the Law. See note on Exodus 17:14 ; Exodus 24:4 ; and App-47 . So that Joshua had a copy of Deuteronomy. whole stones . Compare Exodus 20:25 .Deuteronomy 27:5 . read more

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