Joshua 24
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:1-13 1Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 3Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. 4To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau, and to Esau I gave Mount Seir to possess it; but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt. 5Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt by what I did in its midst; and afterward I brought you out. 6I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea; and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7But when they cried out to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness for a long time. 8Then I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan, and they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land when I destroyed them before you. 9Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel, and he sent and summoned Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand. 11You crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho; and the citizens of Jericho fought against you, and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Girgashite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. Thus I gave them into your hand. 12Then I sent the hornet before you and it drove out the two kings of the Amorites from before you, but not by your sword or your bow. 13I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them; you are eating of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.'“
Jos 24:1 “Shechem” This was a sacred site for the patriarchs (cf. Gen 12:6-7 ; Gen 33:18-20 ; Gen 35:2-4 ). Also it is mentioned later in Deuteronomy 2:7 and Jos 8:30-35 . See NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1213-1216 or ABD, vol. 5, pp. 1174-1186. Shiloh became the dominate sacred site in the period of the Judges because of the presence of the tabernacle.
▣ There are several terms that describe leaders within Israel (cf. Jos 23:2 ). Their exact meaning is often speculation:
1. Elders, Jos 8:33 ; Jos 23:2 ; Jos 24:1 - BDB 278:2 . Heads, Jos 23:2 ; Jos 24:1 - BDB 910:3 . Judges, Jos 8:33 ; Jos 23:2 ; Jos 24:1 - BDB 1047:4 . Officers, Jos 8:33 ; Jos 23:2 ; Jos 24:1 - BDB 100:9 Jos 24:2 “Joshua said to all the people” He obviously spoke through the officers and the elders of Jos 24:2 because the number of people would be too great for him to speak to them all at once.
▣ “Thus says the LORD the God of Israel” This is the covenant title for deity. Notice the number of “I's” in Jos 24:1-13 . Joshua is speaking directly for YHWH (cf. Jos 24:3-4 (twice), 5 (four), 6, 7, 8 (three), 10 (twice); Jos 1:1 ; Jos 1:12-13 )!
▣ “ancient times” “'Olam” must be interpreted in light of its context. It is often translated “forever” or “eternal,” but this context shows its fluidity (semantic field). See Special Topic: Forever ('Olam) at Jos 4:7 .
▣ “the River” This refers to the Euphrates.
▣ “they served other gods” Ur and Haran were both centers of the worship of the Moon goddess. Terah's name (wandering, BDB 107:6 ) itself may reflect this worship. Abraham was obviously involved to some extent. God chose him in grace, not because of his theology or unusual merit. The rabbis say he was persecuted by his neighbors because he was against idolatry. The hero in this text (and all other texts) is YHWH, not the human beings. The choice of Abraham was an act of pure grace and redemptive purpose (cf. Gen 3:15 ; Act 2:23 ; Act 3:18 ; Act 4:28 ; Luk 22:22 ).
Jos 24:3-4 The VERB “gave” (BDB 67:8 , KB 73:3 , Qal IMPERFECT) occurs three times in these verses, emphasizing YHWH's power, control, and eternal purposes.
Jos 24:4 “Mount Seir” This refers to the land south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba, usually associated with Edom. YHWH gave this land to the descendants of Ishmael (cf. Gen 16:7-14 ; Gen 17:18 ; Gen 17:20 ).
Jos 24:5 Read Gen 15:12-21 . This was purposeful action on YHWH's part.
Jos 24:6 “chariots” See Special Topic: Chariots <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/chariots.html>.
Jos 24:7 “darkness” This cloud represented YHWH's presence, to one, darkness (Egyptians), to the other, light (Israelis, cf. Exo 14:19-20 ). This same word (BDB 6:6 ) is used of the ninth plague on Egypt (i.e., darkness, cf. Exo 10:22 ).
Jos 24:8 “the land of the Amorites” This refers to the land east of the Jordan River, which became the territory of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh (cf. Num 21:21 ff).
Jos 24:9 “Balah . . . Balaam” This false prophet's attempt to curse Israel (cf. Numbers 2:2 ) is alluded to several times (cf. Deu 23:4-5 ; Jos 13:22 ; here; Neh 13:2 ; Mic 6:5 ).
▣ “fought against Israel” The UBS Translators Handbook on Joshua makes the good point that “fought against Israel” seems to contradict Num 22:6 ; Num 22:11 ; Deu 2:9 ; Jdg 11:25 . Therefore, some commentators have suggested
1. “prepared to fight”
2. “stood up against”
3. “opposed”
4. “stood in your way”
The VERB (BDB 53:5 , KB 108:6 , Niphal IMPERFECT) seems to always mean “fight” (e.g., Jos 9:2 ; Jos 10:25 ; Jos 10:29 ; Jos 10:31 ; Jos 19:47 ; Jdg 1:5 ; Jdg 9:17 ; Jdg 11:8 ; Jdg 11:25 ).
Jos 24:10 The term translated “bless” is the Piel IMPERFECT and the Piel INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root (BDB 13:8 , KB 15:9 ), which is a way to express intensification.
Jos 24:11 “Amorite” This term may mean “highlanders.” It was a collective term for all the tribes of Canaan. See Special Topic: Pre-Israelite Inhabitants of Palestine <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/palestine_pre-israelite_inhabitants.html>.
▣ “Canaanite” This term may mean “lowlanders.” It was a collective term for all the tribes of Canaan.
See Special Topic: Pre-Israelite Inhabitants of Palestine <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/palestine_pre-israelite_inhabitants.html>.
Jos 24:12 “hornet” This is possibly a metaphor of divine activity causing fear because, although it is mentioned several times (cf. Exo 23:28 ; Deu 7:20 ), it is never listed as actually happening. The metaphor is also used in Deu 1:44 .
Jos 24:13 The Promised Land was an undeserved grace gift from YHWH for the purpose of establishing a people who would reflect His character and love to the nations. See Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/YHWHs_plan.html>.
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:14-15 14”Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Jos 24:14-15 This is a series of IMPERATIVES from Joshua to the tribes.
1. “fear,” BDB 43:1 , KB 43:2 , Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Lev 19:32 ; Lev 25:36 ; Lev 25:43 ; Deu 5:29 ; Deu 6:2 ; Deu 6:13 ; Deu 6:24 ; Deu 10:12 ; Deu 10:20 ; Deu 13:4 ; Deu 14:23 ; Deu 17:19 ; Jos 4:24 2. “serve,” BDB 71:2 , KB 77:3 , Qal IMPERATIVE; notice how often this VERB is used in Joshua 2:4 (cf. Jos 24:2 ; Jos 24:14 [twice],15[four],16,18,19,20,21,22,24,31)!
a. in sincerity (BDB 107:1 )
b. in truth (BDB 5:4 )
3. “put away” (lit. “turn aside”), BDB 69:3 , KB 74:7 , Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Gen 35:2 ; 1Sa 7:4 4. “choose,” BDB 10:3 , KB 11:9 , Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Jos 24:22 . Covenant faith involves a decision of human choice, as well as a divine choice! Covenant faith is more than family faith or national faith. It must be personal faith (cf. Joh 1:12 ; Joh 3:16 ; Rom 10:9-13 ).
NASB “in sincerity and truth”
NKJV “in sincerity and in truth”
NRSV “in sincerity and in faithfulness”
TEV “sincerely and faithfully”
NJB “truly and sincerely”
The JPSOA translation has “with undivided loyalty.” These terms focus on an inner attitude and outer lifestyle (cf. Deu 6:4-5 ). The term “truth” (BDB 5:4 ) is the OT root for faith, believe, trust, which is paralleled to the NT term (pistis, pistos, pisteuô). See Special Topic below.
SPECIAL TOPIC: Believe, Trust, Faith, and Faithfulness in the OT <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/believe_faith_trust_ot.html>
Jos 24:15 This is Joshua' affirmation of personal faith and family faith. He had served YHWH all his adult life and now at the end, he reaffirms his faith.
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:16-18 16The people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; 17for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed. 18The LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”
Jos 24:16-18 “The people answered” This is another of Israel's affirmations of faith. This is a covenant renewal ceremony, cf. Jos 24:26-27 (also see Jos 24:16-18 ; Jos 24:21 ; Jos 24:24 ).
Jos 24:17-18 These verses reiterate YHWH's faithfulness and redemptive acts toward Israel: (1) the exodus from Egypt; (2) the miracles of deliverance; (3) God's presence and care during the wilderness wandering period; and (4) the defeat of the Canaanites and the possession of the Promised Land (cf. Gen 15:16 ).
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:19-28 19Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. 20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” 21The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.” 22Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel. 24The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and we will obey His voice.” 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 26And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. 27Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.” 28Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his inheritance.
Jos 24:19 “You will not be able to serve the LORD” This follows the revelation to Moses in Deu 31:16-22 . Joshua seems to be emphasizing the difficulty in serving a holy God. The sacrificial system of Leviticus was a means for sinful people to approach a holy God and maintain fellowship (i.e., covenant). It is impossible in our own strength.
▣ “holy God” Both terms are PLURAL (i.e., PLURAL OF MAJESTY), which intensifies the concept. See Special Topic: Holy <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/holy.html>.
▣ “jealous God” This is a love word which implies a deep personal relationship (cf. Exo 20:5 ; Exo 34:14 ; Deu 4:24 ; Deu 5:9 ; Deu 6:15 ). He is spoken of as a “father” or even a “husband” (cf. Hosea 1-3). See Special Topic: God Described As Human (anthropomorphism) <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/god_described_as_human.html>.
▣ “He will not forgive your transgressions and sins” Covenant obedience is crucial. God is faithful, but the covenant is conditional. Sin has consequences! YHWH will not overlook rebellion (cf. Exo 23:21 ). This is the problem of the first covenant—fallen human inability to maintain fellowship with a holy God.
Jos 24:20 “if” The “if” shows the conditional nature of YHWH's covenant and promises to Israel (e.g., Deu 28:1-2 ; Deu 28:15 ). All of YHWH's blessings of Deuteronomy 2:7-28 , as well as His land promises, are conditioned on a faithful, obedient, believing Israel. This is true of the Old Testament and the eschaton!
Jos 24:22 “you are witnesses against yourselves” The covenant has rights and responsibilities. To say “yes” has definite privileges and consequences. Israel had affirmed their covenant relationship to YHWH in Jos 24:16-18 and again in Jos 24:24 .
Jos 24:23 “put away foreign gods which are in your midst” The VERB “put away” (BDB 69:3 , KB 74:7 ) is a Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Jos 24:14 ; Gen 35:2 ; 1Sa 7:4 ). The gods were already in their midst (i.e., the Canaanite gods). Amo 5:27 seems to confirm this possibility, but the second half of the verse implies attitudes, (“incline your hearts,” BDB 63:9 , KB 69:2 , Hiphil IMPERATIVE), not actual objects. This verse calls on Israel to “incline,” but 1Ki 8:58 calls on YHWH to cause His people to “incline” (cf. Pro 21:1 ; Psa 141:4 negated). The Hebrew can mean either.
Jos 24:26 “took a large stone” In Deu 16:21-21 this was prohibited. But, remember, the purpose of this stone is the key. This was a third covenant renewal service!
Jos 24:27 “it has heard” This is a personification of the stone which was common (cf. Hab 2:11 ; Eze 36:4 ; Eze 36:6 ). It is characteristic of Hittite treaties for natural objects to act as witnesses (rocks, trees, clouds, mountains). Joshua has used stones as memorials in the past (i.e., two piles in Joshua 4).
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:29-30 29It came about after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being one hundred and ten years old. 30And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of Mount Gaash.
Jos 24:29 “the servant of the LORD” This was used often of Moses, but only here of Joshua. See note at Jos 1:1 .
▣ “one hundred and ten” This is also the age of Joseph when he died (cf. Gen 50:26 ). This age may have been a symbol of a blessed life.
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:31 31Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had done for Israel.
Jos 24:31 This is a common theme in the OT. Those who experienced YHWH's power and deliverance remained faithful, but the next generation which only heard about it often went astray (e.g., the book of Judges).
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 24:32-33 32Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's sons. 33And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him at Gibeah of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country of Ephraim.
Jos 24:32 “bones of Joseph” This was Joseph's request (cf. Gen 50:24-26 ; Exo 13:19 ). He had been embalmed with great care in the tradition of the Egyptians.
▣ “which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor” (cf. Gen 33:19 ). Shechem was also in the land allotment of Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
NASB, NRSV “pieces of money”
NKJV, TEV,
NJB “pieces of silver”
The Hebrew is uncertain (BDB 90:3 , Gen 33:19 ; Job 42:1 ). It occurs three times in the OT. It seems to refer to an unknown weight functioning as money. The Septuagint translates the term as “lamb,” which may mean (1) shape of a lamb or (2) the value of a lamb (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 239).
Jos 24:33 “Eleazar” The High Priest during Joshua's day also died and was buried at Gibeah, not the city in the tribal allocation of Benjamin, but a place near Shiloh in the allocation of Ephraim.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. What is the difference between chapter 2:3 and 2:4 ?
2. Does the Bible teach against inter-racial marriage?
3. Is this chapter a literary unit written in Joshua's day or a later compilation?
4. Why does “I” appear so often in Jos 24:3-13 ?
5. Was Abraham a polytheist before God called him?
6. Why are Jos 24:14-15 so important in describing biblical faith?
7. Are Jos 24:29-33 a later addition?
