Joshua 8:24-35
An Altar on Mount Ebal
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24When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai who had pursued them into the field and wilderness, and when every last one of them had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and put it to the sword as well.
25A total of twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai.
26Joshua did not draw back the hand that held his battle lance until he had devoted to destruction all who lived in Ai.
27Israel took for themselves only the cattle and plunder of that city, as the LORD had commanded Joshua.
28So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolation to this day.
29He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day.
30At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel,
31just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.
32And there in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua inscribed on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written.
33All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel.
34Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.
35There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
After killing the troops outside Ai, Israel returns to the city and kills its inhabitants. Twelve thousand men and women die. Joshua keeps his lance extended until the destruction is complete, while Israel takes the livestock and plunder as permitted. The king's body is hung on a tree, taken down at sunset, and buried beneath stones at the gate. Ai is burned and left in ruins.
Joshua then builds an altar to the LORD on Mount Ebal, using uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used. He is following the command given through Moses.
Israel offers burnt offerings and peace offerings. Joshua writes on the stones a copy of the law of Moses. The worship is joined to words. The people are not asked to rely on a religious atmosphere while ignoring the commands that define life with God.
Joshua reads every word of the law, including the blessings and the curses. Women, children, and foreigners living among Israel are present. The covenant instruction is public and communal, not limited to soldiers or rulers.
The scene places Scripture at the center of conquest and settlement. Israel's victories cannot be treated as the whole story. The people must hear what God requires, recognize the consequences of disobedience, and remember that belonging to the covenant brings both blessing and responsibility.
How We Know
Deuteronomy 27:1–8 commands Israel to write the law on stones and build an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal after crossing the Jordan. Joshua 8 describes those instructions being carried out, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, and a public copy of the law.
Questions
1 What kind of stones does Joshua use for the altar?
AnswerHe uses uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used, as Moses had commanded.
2 What does Joshua write on the stones?
AnswerHe writes a copy of the law of Moses so God's instruction remains publicly visible to the people.
3 Which offerings does Israel present?
AnswerIsrael presents burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD at the altar on Mount Ebal.
4 Who hears the reading of the law?
AnswerThe whole assembly hears the reading, including women, children, and the foreigners living among Israel as part of the covenant community.
What This Means for Us
Celebration and instruction belong together. A family should not talk about God's help only when something has gone well; it should also listen to what faithful living requires.
Make Scripture accessible to everyone in the household, including children and newcomers. Read it aloud, explain what is clear, and let its blessings and warnings correct the version of faith that only confirms us.
Prayer
God of the covenant, keep our worship connected to Your word. Give every person in our household a place to hear, understand, and respond to Your instruction with honest obedience. Amen.
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