Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 8:34
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
34. the blessings and cursings ] “The twelve curses are directed against idolatry (Deu 27:15), contempt of parents (Deu 27:16), removing a neighbour’s land-mark (Deu 27:17), inhumanity towards the blind, strangers, orphans, widows (Deu 27:18-19), incest and unnatural crimes (Deu 27:20-23), murder (Deu 27:24-25), and finally, in general against the transgression of the Law in any manner (Deu 27:26). Blessings are promised in the city and on the field (Deu 28:3), on all births (Deu 28:4), on the basket and on the kneading-trough (Deu 28:5), on going out and coming in (Deu 28:6), a blessing in particular on the arms of Israel in contest with their enemies (Deu 28:7), a blessing on their position among the nations (Deu 28:9-14). A people standing as the Israelites then did on the scale of morality needed stern discipline, and not only might be allured by promises but must be alarmed by threats.” Keil.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Afterward; after the altar was built, and the stones plastered and writ upon.
He read, i.e. he commanded the priests or Levites to read, Deu 27:14.
The blessings and cursings; which words come in not by way of explication, as if the words of the law were nothing else besides the blessings and curses; but by way of addition, to note that these were read over and above the words of the law.
He saith not, according to all that was written upon those stones, but in the book of the law, which shows the mistake of them that think the same things were both read and written upon these stones.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
34. afterward he read all the wordsof the lawcaused the priests or Levites to read it (De27:14). Persons are often said in Scripture to do that which theyonly command to be done.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And afterwards he read all the words of the law,…. Not the whole Pentateuch, nor the whole book of Deuteronomy, but either some parts of it, the decalogue, or whatsoever he had written on the stones, and as follows:
the blessings and cursings, according to all that was written in the book of the law; De 27:14;
[See comments on De 27:11].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
‘ And afterwards he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the assembly of the children of Israel, and the women and the little ones and the strangers who walked among them.’
Then was made the solemn reading of the Law. This was probably the basic book of Deuteronomy, but may have included more. Included were both blessing and cursings, for this was all in covenant form, a reciting of what YHWH had done for them, a declaration of His requirements and then the blessings for obedience and cursings for disobedience (Deu 27:15-26; Deuteronomy 28 all).
This full reading of the Law was something that was required of Israel every seven years (Deu 31:10-13), although parts would no doubt be read out at all covenant festivals. Compare Exo 24:7.
Thus having become first established in the land they solemnly renewed the covenant and incorporated within it all who had been willing to align themselves with them in the worship of YHWH. Then they returned to their camp at Gilgal (Jos 9:6). All this would have taken a number of days.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 34, 35. And afterward he read all the words of the law, &c. i.e. He caused to be read. Houbigant. We have only a word to add to the remarks already made, respecting all these ceremonies, in the notes on Deuteronomy; which is, that the manner in which the sacred historian expresses himself in these two verses, appears much to favour their opinion, who think that only the blessings and curses, which Moses had commanded to be pronounced, were written upon the monument on mount Ebal: Joshua read, or caused to be read, all that he had written; or, as the text has it, all the words of the law. Now it is very evident, that he read only the blessings and curses above-mentioned; and not all the book of Deuteronomy, or the whole law, as many critics would insinuate. Thus it is evident, that he had only to write a duplicate of these blessings and curses, as they were contained in the law of Moses.
Before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, &c. That is, without excepting women, children, or proselytes; because they ought all to know the law which they were bound to obey.
REFLECTIONS.The introduction of this solemn transaction in the midst of the wars, intimates the diligence and zeal of the people to observe the divine institutions. Note; When most surrounded with dangers, we have greatest cause to mind the one thing needful, the securing an interest in the favour of God.
1. They built an altar, and offered sacrifice thereon, on mount Ebal, where the curses were pronounced, intimating, (1.) Their dependance upon that atonement, without which the curses that were written in the law must quickly overtake them to their ruin. Note; Nothing but the blood of Jesus can save any soul from the curse of the law. (2.) Their gratitude for God’s mercy to them. They got not the land by their own sword; and the beasts they offered were the spoil He had given them. Note; [1.] We can only render to God of his own: all we possess is his. [2.] Yet God accepts the grateful offering; and they who acknowledge him in prayer and praise, shall find him prospering their ways with increasing blessings.
2. A solemn rehearsal was made of the blessings and curses, in the presence of all the people, great and small, half on mount Ebal, half on mount Gerizzim, with the ark, the priests, the Levites, the judges, and officers in the midst. After each sentence, they expressed their assent aloud, and their readiness to embrace that covenant under which they held possession of the land. Note; (1.) The word of God is given, not to be locked up from the common people, but to be heard and read of all men. (2.) The highest and the lowest are alike interested to hear and obey the divine command. In God’s sight, the prince and the beggar are on a level; the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (3.) All God’s commands, from the least to the greatest, are enjoined by the same authority: no sin so little, as not to be guarded by the awful sanction of the curse and wrath of God. (4.) Masters of families must see that all under their roof, who are able to understand, seriously attend the house of God, and hear his word read and preached. (5.) It is thus that we may hope to receive the fulness of the promise in glory, when by grace, through faith, we are obedient to the divine commands on earth.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
It is a most profitable thing to have the law often read, in order that, by viewing the universal condemnation of it, the precious delivery from it by the law-fulfilling, law-expiating, and sin-atoning merits, and blood of Jesus, might become more exceedingly precious. For certain it is, the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to leave it upon record, that by the law is the knowledge of sin, and it becomes a blessed schoolmaster to Christ. And I venture to think, that it is on this account, the Ten Commandments are placed over the altars of our churches, and read every Lord’s day, in order that true believers in Christ, may see and confess the justice of their condemnation, in the very moment they are looking up to that precious blood of Jesus, as represented at the table, being shed to wash away the sins of all his people. Rom 7:7 ; Gal 3:24 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
Ver. 34. And afterwards he read all the words, ] i.e., He caused them to be read by the Levites, Deu 27:14 and haply the sense to be given, as Neh 8:8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he read: Deu 31:10-12, Neh 8:2, Neh 8:3, Neh 9:3, Neh 13:1
blessings: Lev 26:1-46, Deu 27:14-26, Deu 28:1-68, Deu 29:20, Deu 29:21, Deu 30:15-20
Reciprocal: Deu 27:12 – upon mount Gerizim Deu 31:11 – shalt read Jos 8:31 – as it is
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 8:34-35. Afterward After the altar was built, and the stones plastered and written upon; he read That is, he commanded the priests or Levites to read, Deu 27:14. Blessings and cursings
Which words come in, not by way of explication, as if the words of the law were nothing else besides the blessings and curses; but by way of addition, to denote that these were read, over and above the words of the law. There was not a word which Joshua read not Therefore, he read not the blessings and curses only, as some think, but the whole law, as the manner was when all Israel, men and women, were assembled together. The strangers that were among them Who were proselytes, for no others can be supposed to have been with them at this time. Thus, after Joshua had gained these victories, and had had such manifest proofs that God was with the Israelites, and was fighting for them, he laboured the more earnestly to set before them the whole of their duty, and to engage them to walk therein, that they might in that way testify their thankfulness to God at the same time when he was fulfilling his promises to them. Reader, learn from his example thy duty to those whom God hath committed to thy care and government, and endeavour that thy own faith and confidence in the divine goodness, as well as theirs, may thus work by love!