Joshua 8:33

33 Then all the Israelites—foreigners and native-born alike—along with the elders, officers, and judges, were divided into two groups. One group stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between them stood the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the LORD ’s Covenant. This was all done according to the commands that Moses, the servant of the LORD, had previously given for blessing the people of Israel.

Joshua 8:33 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:33

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their
judges, stood on this side the ark, and on that side
Some on Ebal, and some on Gerizim:

before the priests and the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant
of the Lord;
it being brought out of the tabernacle on this occasion, and bottle by the priests and Levites:

as well the stranger, as he that was born among them;
that is, as well the proselytes as the native Israelites, both appeared and were in the same situation:

half of them over against Mount Gerizim;
that is, half of the tribes, and these were Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin:

and half of them over against Mount Ebal;
which were the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali; (See Gill on Deuteronomy 27:12) and (See Gill on Deuteronomy 27:13);

as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they
should bless the people of Israel,
as in ( Deuteronomy 27:12 ) .

Joshua 8:33 In-Context

31 He followed the commands that Moses the LORD ’s servant had written in the Book of Instruction: “Make me an altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools.” Then on the altar they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD .

32 And as the Israelites watched, Joshua copied onto the stones of the altar the instructions Moses had given them.

33 Then all the Israelites—foreigners and native-born alike—along with the elders, officers, and judges, were divided into two groups. One group stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between them stood the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the LORD ’s Covenant. This was all done according to the commands that Moses, the servant of the LORD, had previously given for blessing the people of Israel.

34 Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction.

35 Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.