And there in the presence of the IsraelitesThis phrase emphasizes the public nature of the event. The Israelites were gathered to witness the inscribing of the law, highlighting the communal aspect of their covenant with God. This public act ensured transparency and accountability, reinforcing the collective responsibility of the people to uphold the law. It mirrors the earlier covenant renewal ceremonies, such as the one at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24), where the law was given in the presence of the entire nation.
Joshua inscribed on the stones
The act of inscribing the law on stones signifies permanence and durability, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's commandments. This practice of writing on stones was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures for important decrees and treaties. The use of stones also connects to the earlier command inDeuteronomy 27:2-3, where Moses instructed the Israelites to set up large stones and coat them with plaster to write the law upon entering the Promised Land.
a copy of the law of Moses
This refers to the Torah, particularly the commandments and statutes given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The law served as the foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with God, guiding their moral, social, and religious life. By inscribing a copy, Joshua was reaffirming the centrality of the law in the life of the nation. This act also prefigures the New Covenant, where the law is written on the hearts of believers (Jeremiah 31:33).
which he had written
This phrase indicates that Joshua was following the instructions given by Moses, who had written down the law as commanded by God (Deuteronomy 31:9). It underscores the continuity of leadership and the faithfulness of Joshua in adhering to the divine mandate. The written law served as a tangible reminder of God's will and a standard against which the Israelites could measure their obedience.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, acting in obedience to God's commands.
2.
IsraelitesThe people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are witnessing the renewal of the covenant through the inscribing of the law.
3.
StonesLarge stones set up as a monument where Joshua inscribed the law. These stones served as a physical reminder of God's covenant and commandments.
4.
Law of MosesRefers to the commandments and instructions given by God to Moses, which form the basis of the covenant between God and Israel.
5.
Mount EbalThe location where this event takes place, significant for its role in the covenant renewal ceremony.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's CommandsJoshua's actions demonstrate the importance of following God's instructions precisely. Believers are called to obey God's Word in their lives.
The Importance of God's WordThe inscribing of the law signifies the centrality of Scripture in the life of God's people. Christians should prioritize reading and meditating on the Bible.
Covenant RenewalJust as Israel renewed their covenant with God, believers are encouraged to regularly renew their commitment to God through prayer and reflection.
Public WitnessThe public nature of this event highlights the importance of living out one's faith openly. Christians are called to be witnesses to God's truth in their communities.
Remembrance and MemorialsThe stones serve as a memorial to God's faithfulness and commands. Believers can establish personal reminders of God's work in their lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Joshua 8:32?
2.How does Joshua 8:32 emphasize the importance of obeying God's law today?
3.Why was it significant for Joshua to write the law on stones?
4.How can we ensure God's Word is central in our community like Joshua 8:32?
5.What connections exist between Joshua 8:32 and Deuteronomy's emphasis on God's commandments?
6.How can we practically "write" God's laws in our hearts and lives?
7.What is the significance of Joshua 8:32 in the context of Israel's covenant with God?
8.How does Joshua 8:32 demonstrate the importance of written law in ancient Israelite society?
9.Why did Joshua write a copy of the law on stones in Joshua 8:32?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8?
11.What is the significance of Mount Ebal?
12.Does the command in Deuteronomy 27:8 to write the Law “very clearly” imply a significant difference from earlier recordings of the Law?
13.Why does Deuteronomy 27:4 specify Mount Ebal for the altar instead of Mount Gerizim, and is there any historical or textual contradiction behind this location?
14.How does Joshua's altar-building on Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35) align with other historical records of Canaanite territory?What Does Joshua 8:32 Mean
And there• The setting is Mount Ebal, exactly where the Lord had directed inDeuteronomy 27:4–8.
• The precise location underlines God’s faithfulness to fulfill His word geographically as well as spiritually (Genesis 12:7).
• By stopping right “there,” Joshua shows immediate obedience, echoing how Abraham built an altar the moment God confirmed the promise (Genesis 12:8).
in the presence of the Israelites• Nothing happens in secret. The entire nation watches, reinforcing communal accountability (Exodus 19:7–8).
• This public act echoes Moses reading the covenant aloud before all the people (Exodus 24:3–4).
• Visibility stamps the moment into national memory, as later generations will be called to remember (Psalm 78:5–7).
Joshua inscribed on the stones• Writing on stones signals permanence; God’s words are not fluid but fixed (Isaiah 40:8).
• Joshua’s personal action models servant leadership—he does not delegate the sacred task (Deuteronomy 31:9).
• Stone inscriptions anticipate the new covenant promise that God’s law will be written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), yet here the literal stones testify first.
a copy of the law of Moses• “Law” (torah) means instruction; Joshua reproduces the covenant terms so every tribe can reference them (Deuteronomy 17:18–19).
• Copying underscores accuracy—no edits, no innovations. God’s revealed word is sufficient (Proverbs 30:5–6).
• The duplication also anticipates future kings who must write their own copy, rooting rulers under God’s authority (Deuteronomy 17:18).
which he had written• The phrase ties back to Moses’ original authorship (Deuteronomy 31:24) and affirms continuity: Joshua transmits what Moses received, nothing less, nothing more (Joshua 1:7–8).
• It shows Scripture’s self-authenticating chain—Moses writes, Joshua rewrites, later scribes preserve, and the message remains intact (2 Kings 22:8–13).
• Personal handwriting links leader and law, mirroring how the Lord Himself wrote the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18).
summaryJoshua 8:32 pictures a leader halting the forward march of conquest to engrave God’s word on enduring stone, publicly, accurately, and completely. The scene affirms that victory, identity, and future blessing all hinge on faithful obedience to the unaltered law God gave through Moses.
Verse 32. -
And he wrote there upon the stones;i.e., upon the plaster, as we read in
Deuteronomy 27:2, 4. "The wall destined to receive the picture," and it was just the same with inscriptions - was covered with a coating of lime and gypsum plaster. The outline was then sketched with red chalk, and afterwards corrected and filled in with black (Keurick's 'Egypt,' 1, p. 271). Thomson ('Land and the Book,' Io. 471) says that he has seen writings in plaster which could not have been less than two thousand years old. This passage shows that our author had
Deuteronomy 28:2, 3 in his mind. The stones of the altar, which alone have been mentioned, are clearly not meant here, but the erection of plastered stone on which the law was to be written.
A copy of the law of Moses, "Deuteronomium legis," Vulgate. So also LXX. Not the whole law, nor yet the Book of Deuteronomy, for time would not permit,but the decalogue, as the word
מִשְׁנֶה duplicate, from whence the word Mishna comes, signifies. It is to be observed that the word is definite, the copy, not a copy, of the law. This (
Deuteronomy 5:22) was what was written on the two tables of stone, which (
Exodus 24:12, 31:18) God gave to Moses. Yet it is possible that, as some commentaters suggest, and as ver. 34 may be held to imply, what is meant is the curses and blessings mentioned in
Deuteronomy 27, and 28. The formal setting up of this memorial was intended to remind the Israelites, by a perpetual standing witness, of the conditions on which they held the land of Canaan. And it is to be observed that the moral, rather than the positive, precepts of the law were thus solemnly enjoined on them, since neglect of the moral law of God is the invariable source of national degradation and decay.
Which he wrote. Namely, Joshua.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And thereשָׁ֖ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherin the presenceלִפְנֵ֖י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the Israelites,בְּנֵ֥י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A son[Joshua] inscribedוַיִּכְתָּב־(way·yiḵ·tāḇ-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789:To grave, to writeonעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe stonesהָאֲבָנִ֑ים(hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm)Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 68:A stonea copyמִשְׁנֵה֙(miš·nêh)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4932:A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a secondof the Lawתּוֹרַ֣ת(tō·w·raṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, lawof Moses,מֹשֶׁ֔ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiverwhichאֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thathe had written.כָּתַ֔ב(kā·ṯaḇ)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789:To grave, to write
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OT History: Joshua 8:32 He wrote there on the stones (Josh. Jos)