Joshua 24:1-8

1 Yehoshua gathered all the tribes of Yisra'el to Shekhem, and called for the Zakenim of Yisra'el, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

2 Yehoshua said to all the people, Thus says the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terach, the father of Avraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

3 I took your father Avraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Kana`an, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Yitzchak.

4 I gave to Yitzchak Ya`akov and Esav: and I gave to Esav Mount Se`ir, to possess it: and Ya`akov and his children went down into Mitzrayim.

5 I sent Moshe and Aharon, and I plagued Mitzrayim, according to that which I did in the midst of it: and afterward I brought you out.

6 I brought your fathers out of Mitzrayim: and you came to the sea; and the Mitzrim pursued after your fathers with chariots and with horsemen to the Sea of Suf.

7 When they cried out to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Mitzrim, and brought the sea on them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Mitzrayim: and you lived in the wilderness many days.

8 I brought you into the land of the Amori, that lived beyond the Yarden: and they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand, and you possessed their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

Joshua 24:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 24

This chapter gives us an account of another summons of the tribes of Israel by Joshua, who obeyed it, and presented themselves before the Lord at Shechem, Jos 24:1; when Joshua in the name of the Lord rehearsed to them the many great and good things the Lord had done for them, from the time of their ancestor Abraham to that day, Jos 24:2-13; and then exhorted them to fear and serve the Lord, and reject idols, Jos 24:14; and put them upon making their choice, whether they would serve the true God, or the gods of the Canaanites; and they choosing the former, he advised them to abide by their choice, Jos 24:15-24; and made a covenant with them to that purpose, and then dismissed them, Jos 24:25-28; and the chapter is concluded with an account of the death and burial of Joshua and Eleazar, and of the interment of the bones of Joseph, Jos 24:29-33.