Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God.This phrase indicates that Joshua, as the leader of Israel, took on the responsibility of documenting the covenant renewal and the people's commitment to serve the LORD. The "Book of the Law of God" refers to the sacred writings that included the laws given to Moses. This act of recording signifies the importance of preserving God's commands and the people's promises for future generations. It reflects the continuity of divine revelation and the importance of written records in maintaining the covenant relationship. This practice of documentation is seen throughout the Pentateuch and highlights the role of Scripture in guiding the community of faith.
Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak
The setting up of a large stone serves as a physical and enduring witness to the covenant made between God and Israel. Stones were often used in ancient times as memorials or witnesses to significant events (Genesis 28:18, 31:45-48). The oak tree mentioned here may have been a significant landmark or a place of gathering, adding to the solemnity of the occasion. The use of natural elements like stones and trees in covenant ceremonies underscores the permanence and seriousness of the commitments made.
that was near the sanctuary of the LORD.
The reference to the "sanctuary of the LORD" indicates the proximity to a sacred space, likely the tabernacle, which was the center of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This location emphasizes the religious and spiritual significance of the covenant renewal. The sanctuary served as a constant reminder of God's holiness and the need for the Israelites to remain faithful to Him. The choice of this location for setting up the stone highlights the connection between the covenant and worship, as well as the centrality of God's presence in the life of the community.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. In this passage, he is reaffirming the covenant between God and Israel.
2.
The Book of the Law of GodThis refers to the written record of God's laws and commands, which Joshua added to, ensuring the covenant was documented for future generations.
3.
The Large StoneA physical memorial set up by Joshua to serve as a witness to the covenant renewal, symbolizing the permanence and seriousness of the commitment made by the Israelites.
4.
The OakA significant landmark near the sanctuary of the LORD, serving as a location for the covenant renewal ceremony.
5.
The Sanctuary of the LORDThe sacred place where the Israelites worshiped God, emphasizing the solemnity and sacredness of the covenant renewal.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Covenant RenewalJust as Joshua led the Israelites in renewing their covenant with God, believers today should regularly renew their commitment to God, reflecting on His faithfulness and their dedication.
The Role of Memorials in FaithPhysical reminders, like the stone set by Joshua, can help believers remember God's past faithfulness and their commitments to Him. Consider creating personal memorials to mark significant spiritual milestones.
The Significance of Written RecordsJoshua's recording of the covenant highlights the importance of documenting God's work and commands. Believers should value and engage with Scripture as a living record of God's covenant with His people.
The Sacredness of Worship SpacesThe setting of the covenant renewal near the sanctuary underscores the importance of sacred spaces in worship and commitment. Believers should honor and utilize their places of worship as centers for spiritual renewal.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Joshua 24:26?
2.How does Joshua 24:26 emphasize the importance of recording God's covenant with Israel?
3.What role does the "Book of the Law" play in Joshua 24:26?
4.How can we apply Joshua's example of covenant renewal in our daily lives?
5.How does Joshua 24:26 connect with Deuteronomy's emphasis on remembering God's laws?
6.Why is it crucial to document spiritual commitments, as seen in Joshua 24:26?
7.Why did Joshua write these words in the Book of the Law of God?
8.What significance does the stone under the oak hold in Joshua 24:26?
9.How does Joshua 24:26 relate to covenant renewal in Israelite history?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 24?
11.Does the aftermath in Joshua 7 (especially verse 26) align with known historical or cultural records of that era?
12.What is the Deuteronomistic History?
13.What is the Book of Joshua's date of writing?
14.Who is the author of the Book of Joshua?What Does Joshua 24:26 Mean
Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God• Joshua, Moses’ successor, doesn’t rely on oral tradition alone; he “recorded these things” so the covenant renewal at Shechem would be permanently preserved, much as Moses had written God’s words inExodus 17:14 andDeuteronomy 31:9, 24–26.
• Calling the scroll “the Book of the Law of God” roots Joshua’s narrative inside the inspired Scriptures and affirms its equal authority with the Pentateuch (cf.2 Timothy 3:16).
• The act reminds Israel that obedience is tethered to a written, unchanging revelation, echoing the charge inJoshua 1:8 to “meditate on it day and night.”
• By updating the Book, Joshua shows that God’s redemptive story is ongoing and that every generation is accountable to know and obey what has been written (Romans 15:4).
Then he took a large stone• Tangible memorials were a common biblical way to reinforce spiritual commitments; earlier examples include Jacob’s pillar at Bethel (Genesis 28:18) and the twelve stones from the Jordan (Joshua 4:7).
• A “large” stone underscores permanence and visibility; it could not be casually ignored.
• The stone functions as a silent witness to the vows just made (cf.1 Samuel 7:12, where Samuel raises the Ebenezer stone). Its unchanging presence would remind future generations that their ancestors pledged wholehearted loyalty to the LORD (Joshua 24:22).
• Physical reminders help safeguard against forgetfulness and drift, a principle echoed in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:24–26).
Set it up there under the oak that was near the sanctuary of the LORD• Shechem’s oak had historical resonance—Abram built an altar there when God first promised the land (Genesis 12:6–7), and Jacob buried foreign idols under an oak at Shechem (Genesis 35:4).
• Placing the stone “near the sanctuary of the LORD” links the people’s oath to the very presence of God; the tabernacle was apparently stationed at Shechem for this covenant ceremony (compareDeuteronomy 12:5).
• Oaks are long-lived; combining a durable tree with a sturdy stone underscores that God’s covenant and Israel’s responsibility endure.
• The location situates their promise within worship, not mere civic duty; every future visit to that sanctuary would confront Israel with the stone’s silent testimony (Joshua 24:27).
summaryJoshua 24:26 shows Israel’s covenant renewal being sealed in two complementary ways: by written Scripture and by a visible stone witness. Recording the event in “the Book of the Law of God” affirms the authority and permanence of God’s Word, while erecting the stone beneath the historic oak near the sanctuary embeds their promise in the landscape of worship. Together these acts declare that obedience to the LORD must be remembered, recorded, and lived out before His enduring presence.
(26)
And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God.--Primarily "these words" appear to refer to the transaction just recorded. But it must be observed that this is also the second signature among the sacred writers of the Old Testament. The first is that of Moses, in
Deuteronomy 31:9 : "Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests," &c. The next signature after Joshua's is that of Samuel (
1Samuel 10:25): "Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in the [not a] book, and laid it up before the Lord." We have here a clue to the authorship of the Old Testament, and to the view of the writers who succeeded Moses in what they did. They did not look upon themselves as writers of distinct books, but as authorised to add their part to the book already written, to write what was assigned to them "in the book of the law of God." The
unityof Holy Scripture is thus seen to have been an essential feature of the Bible from the very first.
Verse 26. -
And Joshua wrote these words. Or, these
things, since the word (see note on Joshua 22:24; 23:15) has often this signification. Joshua no doubt recorded, not the whole history of his campaigns and the rest of the contents of what is now called the Book of Joshua, but the public ratification of the Mosaic covenant which had now been made. This he added to his copy of the book of the law, as a memorial to later times. The covenant had been ratified with solemn ceremonies at its first promulgation (
Exodus 24:3-8). At the end of Moses' ministry he once more reaffirmed its provisions, reminding them of the curses pronounced on all who should disobey its provisions, and adding, as an additional memorial of the occasion, the sublime song contained in
Deuteronomy 32. (see
Deuteronomy 21:19, 22). Joshua was present on this occasion, and the dying lawgiver charged him to undertake the conquest of the premised land, and to maintain the observance of the law among the people of God. Hitherto, however, God's promise had not been fulfilled. It seems only natural that when Israel had obtained peaceful possession of the land sworn unto their fathers, and before they were left to His unseen guidance, they should once more be publicly reminded of the conditions on which they enjoyed the inheritance. It may be remarked that, although Joshua's addendum to the book of the law has not come down to us, yet that it covers the principle of such additions, and explains how, at the death of Moses, a brief account of his death and burial should be appended by authority to the volume containing the law itself. The last chapter of Deuteronomy is, in fact, the official seal set upon the authenticity of the narrative, as the words added here were the official record of the law of Moses, having been adopted as the code of jurisprudence in the land.
And took a great stone (see notes on Joshua 4:2, 9). An oak. Perhaps
the terebinth. So the LXX. (see note on ver. 1). The tree, no doubt, under which Jacob had hid the teraphim of his household. This was clearly one of the reasons for which the place was chosen.
By the sanctuary. Keil denies that
בְּ ever means
near. It is difficult to understand how he can do this with so many passages against him (see
Joshua 5:13;
1 Samuel 29:1;
Ezekiel 10:15). He wishes to avoid the idea of the sanctuary being at Shechem.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091:Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelitesrecordedוַיִּכְתֹּ֤ב(way·yiḵ·tōḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789:To grave, to writetheseהָאֵ֔לֶּה(hā·’êl·leh)Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosethingsהַדְּבָרִ֣ים(had·də·ḇā·rîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causein the Bookבְּסֵ֖פֶר(bə·sê·p̄er)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612:A missive, document, writing, bookof the Lawתּוֹרַ֣ת(tō·w·raṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, lawof God.אֱלֹהִ֑ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeThen he tookוַיִּקַּח֙(way·yiq·qaḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takea largeגְּדוֹלָ֔ה(gə·ḏō·w·lāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentstoneאֶ֣בֶן(’e·ḇen)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68:A stoneand set it upוַיְקִימֶ֣הָ(way·qî·me·hā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standthereשָּׁ֔ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherunderתַּ֚חַת(ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofthe oakהָֽאַלָּ֔ה(hā·’al·lāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 427:An oak, other strong treethat [was]אֲשֶׁ֖ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatnear the sanctuaryבְּמִקְדַּ֥שׁ(bə·miq·daš)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4720:A consecrated thing, place, a palace, sanctuary, asylumof the LORD.יְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
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OT History: Joshua 24:26 Joshua wrote these words in the book (Josh. Jos) 
