Bible Commentaries
Joshua 24

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 24:1, Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem; Joshua 24:2, A brief history of God’s benefits, from Terah; Joshua 24:14, He renews the covenant between them and God; Joshua 24:26, A stone the witness of the covenant; Joshua 24:29, Joshua’s age, death, and burial; Joshua 24:32, Joseph’s bones are buried; Joshua 24:33, Eleazar dies.

Verse 1

Joshua: This must have been a different assembly from that mentioned in the preceding chapter, though probably held not long after the former.

Shechem: As it is immediately added, that "they presented themselves before God," which is supposed to mean at the tabernacle; some are of opinion that Joshua caused it to be conveyed from Shiloh to Shechem on this occasion, to give the greater solemnity to his last meeting with the people. The Vatican and Alexandrian copies of the Septuagint, however, read חכש, both here and in Joshua 24:25, which many suppose to have been the original reading. Dr. Shuckford supposes that the covenant was made at Shechem, and that the people went to Shiloh to confirm it. But the most probable opinion seems to be that of Dr. Kennicott, that when all the tribes were assembled as Shechem, Joshua called the chiefs to him on that mount, which had before been consecrated by the law, and by the altar which he had erected. Genesis 12:6, Genesis 33:18, Genesis 33:19, Genesis 35:4, Judges 9:1-3, 1 Kings 12:1

called: Joshua 23:2, Exodus 18:25, Exodus 18:26

presented: 1 Samuel 10:19, Acts 10:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:21 - God Genesis 49:24 - the shepherd Exodus 5:6 - officers Numbers 13:8 - Oshea Deuteronomy 31:14 - presented Joshua 8:33 - all Israel Joshua 17:7 - Shechem 1 Kings 8:1 - assembled 1 Chronicles 23:2 - he gathered 1 Chronicles 28:1 - assembled 2 Chronicles 10:1 - Shechem Psalms 60:6 - Shechem Psalms 108:7 - Shechem

Verse 2

Your fathers: Genesis 11:26, Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:1, Genesis 31:53, Deuteronomy 26:5, Isaiah 51:2, Ezekiel 16:3

served other gods: In the case of Abraham this was probably the case, till he was called to the knowledge of God, when above 70 years old. Joshua 24:15, Genesis 31:19, Genesis 31:30, Genesis 31:32, Genesis 31:53, Genesis 35:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:22 - Nahor Genesis 31:21 - passed Genesis 31:29 - the God Genesis 35:2 - strange Joshua 24:14 - put 1 Chronicles 1:27 - Abram Nehemiah 9:7 - choose Isaiah 29:22 - who redeemed Isaiah 41:9 - whom Ezekiel 16:4 - for Matthew 1:2 - Abraham Matthew 20:5 - and did Luke 3:34 - Thara Acts 7:2 - when Romans 4:2 - but Romans 4:5 - ungodly Galatians 4:8 - ye did

Verse 3

I took: Genesis 12:1-4, Nehemiah 9:7, Nehemiah 9:8, Acts 7:2, Acts 7:3

gave: Genesis 21:2, Genesis 21:3, Psalms 127:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:31 - they went Genesis 31:21 - passed Genesis 31:29 - the God 2 Chronicles 20:7 - gavest Isaiah 51:2 - unto Abraham Malachi 2:10 - all Matthew 1:2 - Abraham Matthew 20:5 - and did Hebrews 11:8 - Abraham James 2:21 - Abraham

Verse 4

unto Isaac: Genesis 25:24-26

unto Esau: Genesis 32:3, Genesis 36:8, Deuteronomy 2:5

Jacob: Genesis 46:1-7, Psalms 105:23, Acts 7:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:14 - that Genesis 27:39 - Behold Genesis 46:6 - into Egypt Exodus 5:6 - officers 2 Chronicles 20:23 - mount Seir Psalms 127:3 - children Ezekiel 35:2 - mount Matthew 1:2 - Isaac begat

Verse 5

sent: Exodus 3:10, Exodus 4:12, Exodus 4:13, Psalms 105:26

plagued: Exodus 7:1 - Exodus 12:51, Psalms 78:43-51, Psalms 105:27-36, Psalms 135:8, Psalms 135:9, Psalms 136:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:26 - That Aaron Numbers 33:1 - under the hand Deuteronomy 29:2 - Ye have seen all Joshua 24:17 - General

Verse 6

I brought: Exodus 12:37, Exodus 12:51, Micah 6:4

Egyptians: Exodus 14:1 - Exodus 15:27, Nehemiah 9:11, Psalms 77:15-20, Psalms 78:13, Psalms 136:13-15, Isaiah 63:12, Isaiah 63:13, Acts 7:36, Hebrews 11:29

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:9 - the Egyptians Deuteronomy 29:2 - Ye have seen all

Verse 7

And when: Exodus 14:10

he put: Exodus 14:20

brought: Exodus 14:27, Exodus 14:28

your eyes: Exodus 14:31, Deuteronomy 4:34, Deuteronomy 29:2

ye dwelt: Joshua 5:6, Numbers 14:33, Numbers 14:34, Nehemiah 9:12-21, Psalms 95:9, Psalms 95:10, Acts 13:17, Acts 13:18, Hebrews 3:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:23 - but all Job 19:8 - set Malachi 1:5 - your Hebrews 3:9 - and

Verse 8

Joshua 13:10, Numbers 21:21-35, Deuteronomy 2:32-37, Deuteronomy 3:1-7, Nehemiah 9:22, Psalms 135:10, Psalms 135:11, Psalms 136:17-22

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:23 - thee in Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Numbers 21:24 - Israel 2 Chronicles 33:9 - the heathen Psalms 105:44 - gave Amos 2:9 - I the

Verse 9

Numbers 22:5, Numbers 22:6-21, Deuteronomy 23:4, Deuteronomy 23:5, Judges 11:25, Micah 6:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:13 - and curse me Numbers 24:10 - I called Nehemiah 13:2 - hired Balaam Revelation 2:14 - Balaam

Verse 10

Numbers 22:11, Numbers 22:12, Numbers 22:18-20, Numbers 22:35, Numbers 23:3-12, Numbers 23:15-26, Numbers 24:5-10, Isaiah 54:17

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:10 - I called Judges 11:25 - Balak Nehemiah 13:2 - hired Balaam Micah 6:5 - Balak

Verse 11

And ye: Joshua 3:14-17, Joshua 4:10-12, Joshua 4:23, Psalms 114:3, Psalms 114:5

the men: Joshua 6:1-27, Joshua 10:1 - Joshua 11:23, Nehemiah 9:24, Nehemiah 9:25, Psalms 78:54, Psalms 78:55, Psalms 105:44, Acts 7:45, Acts 13:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 13:5 - shall bring Exodus 23:28 - hornets Exodus 33:2 - the Canaanite Joshua 9:1 - Hittite Joshua 11:21 - Joshua destroyed 1 Chronicles 16:17 - an everlasting 1 Chronicles 17:21 - by driving

Verse 12

I sent: Exodus 23:28, Deuteronomy 7:20

not: Psalms 44:3-6

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:21 - Joshua destroyed 2 Kings 6:22 - thy sword 1 Chronicles 17:21 - by driving Psalms 44:2 - how thou didst afflict Psalms 80:9 - preparedst Isaiah 7:18 - fly

Verse 13

And I: Joshua 21:45

cities: Joshua 11:13, Deuteronomy 6:10-12, Deuteronomy 8:7, Proverbs 13:22

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 20:7 - gavest Psalms 105:44 - gave

Verse 14

fear: Deuteronomy 10:12, 1 Samuel 12:24, Job 1:1, Job 28:28, Psalms 111:10, Psalms 130:4, Hosea 3:5, Acts 9:31

serve: Joshua 24:23, Genesis 17:1, Genesis 20:5, Genesis 20:6, Deuteronomy 18:13, 2 Kings 20:3, Psalms 119:1, Psalms 119:80, Luke 8:15, John 4:23, John 4:24, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Ephesians 6:24, Philippians 1:10

put: From this exhortation of Joshua, we not only learn that the Israelites still retained some relics of idolatry, but to what gods they were attached.

1. Those whom their fathers worshipped on the other side of the food, or the river Euphrates, i.e., the gods of the Chaldeans, fire, light, the sun, etc.

2. Those of the Egyptians, Apis, Anubis, serpents, vegetables, etc.

3. Those of the Amorites, Moabites, Canaanites, etc., Baal-peor, Astarte, etc.

How astonishing is it, that after all that God had done for them, and all the miracles they had seen, there should still be found among them both idols and idolaters! Joshua 24:2, Joshua 24:23, Genesis 35:2, Exodus 20:3, Exodus 20:4, Leviticus 17:7, Ezra 9:11, Ezekiel 20:18, Amos 5:25, Amos 5:26

in Egypt: Ezekiel 20:7, Ezekiel 20:8, Ezekiel 23:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:20 - his fear Exodus 23:25 - And ye Joshua 5:9 - I rolled away Joshua 22:5 - serve Joshua 24:15 - whether the gods 1 Samuel 7:3 - put away 1 Samuel 12:14 - If ye will 2 Kings 17:41 - these nations Jeremiah 4:1 - put away Ezekiel 16:3 - Thy birth Ezekiel 16:26 - with the Matthew 4:10 - Thou shalt 1 Corinthians 5:8 - but 2 Corinthians 6:16 - what 2 Corinthians 8:8 - prove Ephesians 6:5 - in

Verse 15

choose: Ruth 1:15, Ruth 1:16, 1 Kings 18:21, Ezekiel 20:39, John 6:67

whether the gods: Joshua 24:14

or the gods: Exodus 23:24, Exodus 23:32, Exodus 23:33, Exodus 34:15, Deuteronomy 13:7, Deuteronomy 29:18, Judges 6:10

as for me: Genesis 18:19, Psalms 101:2, Psalms 119:106, Psalms 119:111, Psalms 119:112, John 6:68, Acts 11:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:2 - unto his Exodus 10:9 - We will go Exodus 16:4 - prove them Exodus 23:25 - And ye Leviticus 14:42 - General Deuteronomy 1:7 - the mount Deuteronomy 30:19 - choose life Joshua 5:1 - all the kings Joshua 22:5 - serve Joshua 24:2 - served other gods Ruth 1:8 - Go Ruth 2:4 - And they 1 Samuel 1:21 - General 2 Samuel 6:20 - bless 2 Samuel 15:8 - I will serve 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Amorite 1 Chronicles 16:43 - to bless 1 Chronicles 21:10 - choose 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded 2 Chronicles 30:8 - serve Ezra 5:11 - We are Esther 4:16 - I also Psalms 5:7 - But Psalms 17:15 - As Psalms 73:2 - But Psalms 105:7 - the Lord Psalms 119:8 - I will Psalms 119:30 - chosen Psalms 119:57 - I have Psalms 119:115 - for I will Psalms 119:173 - for Isaiah 43:9 - that they may Isaiah 56:4 - choose Malachi 3:18 - between him Matthew 6:24 - serve Matthew 12:30 - that is Matthew 27:17 - Whom Luke 10:42 - chosen Luke 16:13 - servant Acts 10:2 - with Acts 18:8 - believed Acts 21:5 - with Romans 6:16 - to whom Galatians 4:8 - ye did Ephesians 6:4 - but 1 Timothy 3:4 - ruleth Revelation 3:15 - thou

Verse 16

1 Samuel 12:23, Romans 3:6, Romans 6:2, Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 10:39

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:29 - God forbid 1 Samuel 20:2 - God forbid 1 Kings 21:3 - The Lord Jeremiah 2:20 - and thou saidst

Verse 17

Joshua 24:5-14, Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11, Deuteronomy 32:12, Isaiah 46:4, Isaiah 63:7-14, Amos 2:9, Amos 2:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:14 - that Exodus 13:3 - out of the Jeremiah 34:13 - in the

Verse 18

will we also: Exodus 10:2, Exodus 15:2, Psalms 116:16, Micah 4:2, Zechariah 8:23, Luke 1:73-75

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:3 - General Ruth 1:16 - thy God Psalms 119:57 - I have

Verse 19

Ye cannot: Joshua 24:23, Ruth 1:15, Matthew 6:24, Luke 14:25-33

holy: Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 19:2, 1 Samuel 6:20, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9, Isaiah 5:16, Isaiah 6:3-5, Isaiah 30:11, Isaiah 30:15, Habakkuk 1:13

a jealous: Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14, 1 Corinthians 10:20-22

he will not: Exodus 23:21, Exodus 34:7, 1 Samuel 3:14, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Isaiah 27:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 25:11 - that I Psalms 99:3 - for it Isaiah 2:9 - therefore Ezekiel 8:3 - provoketh Nahum 1:2 - General Luke 9:58 - Jesus Luke 14:28 - counteth 1 Corinthians 10:22 - we provoke

Verse 20

he will turn: Joshua 23:12-15, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Ezra 8:22, Isaiah 1:28, Isaiah 63:10, Isaiah 65:11, Isaiah 65:12, Jeremiah 17:13, Ezekiel 18:24, Acts 7:42, Hebrews 10:26, Hebrews 10:27, Hebrews 10:38

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:2 - strange 1 Samuel 12:14 - If ye will 1 Samuel 12:15 - But if ye 1 Samuel 12:25 - But if 2 Chronicles 28:6 - because Jeremiah 1:16 - who have Jeremiah 25:6 - General Matthew 6:24 - serve

Verse 21

Nay: Exodus 19:8, Exodus 20:19, Exodus 24:3, Exodus 24:7, Deuteronomy 5:27, Deuteronomy 5:28, Deuteronomy 26:17, Isaiah 44:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:25 - a statute Exodus 23:25 - And ye Judges 2:20 - transgressed 2 Chronicles 23:16 - that they should Psalms 119:57 - I have

Verse 22

Ye are witnesses: Ye have been sufficiently apprised of the difficulties in your way - of God's holiness, and the nature of his service - your own weakness, inconstancy, and insufficiency - your need of the Divine help, and the hope of assistance held out in the law - and the awful consequences of apostasy, and now ye make your choice. Remember then that ye are witnesses against yourselves; and your own conscience will be witness, judge, and executioner. Deuteronomy 26:17, Job 15:6, Luke 19:22

ye have: Psalms 119:11, Psalms 119:173, Luke 10:42

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:3 - All the words Matthew 23:31 - witnesses Luke 11:48 - ye bear

Verse 23

put away: Joshua 24:14, Genesis 35:2-4, Exodus 20:23, Judges 10:15, Judges 10:16, 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Samuel 7:4, Hosea 14:2, Hosea 14:3, Hosea 14:8, 1 Corinthians 10:19-21, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

incline: Proverbs 2:2, Hebrews 12:28, Hebrews 12:29

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:19 - Ye cannot 1 Kings 18:21 - if the Lord Job 31:28 - for Psalms 119:112 - inclined

Verse 24

Deuteronomy 5:28, Deuteronomy 5:29

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:5 - if ye Exodus 19:8 - General Exodus 23:25 - And ye Judges 2:17 - which their 1 Kings 18:21 - if the Lord 2 Kings 23:3 - And all Psalms 119:57 - I have 2 Peter 1:15 - I will

Verse 25

made: Exodus 15:25, Exodus 24:3, Exodus 24:7, Exodus 24:8, Deuteronomy 5:2, Deuteronomy 5:3, Deuteronomy 29:1, Deuteronomy 29:10-15, 2 Kings 11:17, 2 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 15:15, 2 Chronicles 23:16, 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 34:29-32, Nehemiah 9:38, Nehemiah 10:28, Nehemiah 10:29

in Shechem: Joshua 24:1, Joshua 24:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:44 - a witness Genesis 35:4 - the oak Deuteronomy 29:12 - thou shouldest 2 Kings 11:4 - made a covenant 2 Kings 23:3 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 34:31 - made a covenant Isaiah 24:5 - changed

Verse 26

Joshua: Exodus 24:4, Deuteronomy 31:24-26

took: Judges 9:6

set it: Joshua 4:3-9, Joshua 4:20-24, Genesis 28:18-22

under: Genesis 35:4, Genesis 35:8, Judges 9:6

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:10 - built Joshua 24:25 - in Shechem 1 Samuel 7:12 - took a stone Isaiah 19:20 - for a

Verse 27

A curious coincidence of circumstances is related by Livy, the Roman historian: he writes that "when three ambassadors were sent from Rome to complain of the perfidious conduct of the Aqui, the General informed them, that they might deliver their message to an oak which shaded his tent." On this one of the ambassadors turning away, said, "This venerable oak, and all the gods, shall know that you have violated the peace; they shall now hear our complaints; and may they also soon be witnesses, when we revenge with our arms the violation of divine and human rights." It is worthy of remark that Joshua merely set up a pillar under an oak - the one, perhaps, to protect the other; while the General directed the ambassadors to address the oak, perhaps with an idolatrous feeling that they were addressing one of the gods, who would aid his cause; while the Roman ambassadors caught the feeling, and really invoked the aid of the oak and the gods. Joshua 22:27, Joshua 22:28, Joshua 22:34, Genesis 31:44-52, Deuteronomy 4:26, Deuteronomy 30:19, Deuteronomy 31:19, Deuteronomy 31:21, Deuteronomy 31:26, 1 Samuel 7:12

it hath: Deuteronomy 32:1, Isaiah 1:2, Habakkuk 2:11, Luke 19:40

deny: Job 31:23, Proverbs 30:9, Matthew 10:33, 2 Timothy 2:12, 2 Timothy 2:13, Titus 1:16, Revelation 3:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:30 - a witness Genesis 28:18 - set it Genesis 31:48 - This heap Genesis 49:33 - had made Exodus 24:4 - twelve pillars Joshua 4:3 - twelve stones Joshua 22:10 - built Job 31:28 - for Isaiah 19:20 - for a James 5:3 - a witness

Verse 28

Judges 2:6

Verse 29

after these: Deuteronomy 34:5, Judges 2:8, Psalms 115:17, 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8, Revelation 14:13

an hundred: Genesis 50:22, Genesis 50:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:9 - have not Joshua 13:1 - Joshua Judges 1:1 - Now Judges 8:32 - died in Job 42:16 - an

Verse 30

Timnathserah: Joshua 19:50, Judges 2:9

Gaash: 2 Samuel 23:30

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 11:29 - General Judges 1:1 - Now Judges 2:8 - Joshua Judges 8:32 - died in Judges 18:13 - mount Ephraim Judges 19:1 - mount

Verse 31

served: Deuteronomy 31:29, Judges 2:7, 2 Chronicles 24:2, 2 Chronicles 24:17, 2 Chronicles 24:18, Acts 20:29, Philippians 2:12

overlived Joshua: Heb. prolonged their days after Joshua, which had. Deuteronomy 11:2, Deuteronomy 11:7, Deuteronomy 31:13

Reciprocal: Judges 2:17 - which their Judges 2:19 - when the Judges 8:33 - as soon 2 Chronicles 34:33 - all his days Jeremiah 2:21 - wholly

Verse 32

bones: Genesis 50:25, Exodus 13:19, Acts 7:16, Hebrews 11:22

buried: Genesis 33:19, Genesis 48:22

pieces of silver: or, lambs

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:6 - Sichem Joshua 17:7 - Shechem 2 Samuel 23:1 - the last 1 Kings 12:1 - Shechem Psalms 60:6 - Shechem Jeremiah 41:5 - Shechem John 4:5 - the parcel

Verse 33

Eleazar: Joshua 14:1, Exodus 6:23, Exodus 6:25, Numbers 3:32, Numbers 20:26-28

died: Job 30:23, Psalms 49:10, Isaiah 57:1, Isaiah 57:2, Zechariah 1:5, Acts 13:36, Hebrews 7:24, Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 9:27

Phinehas: Judges 20:28

Reciprocal: Joshua 21:4 - the children Judges 18:13 - mount Ephraim Judges 19:1 - mount 1 Chronicles 6:4 - Phinehas Ezra 7:5 - Eleazar