Shechem, situated between those mountains, Ebal and Gerizim, which had already been the scene of a solemn rehearsal of the covenant soon after the first entry of the people into the promised land Joshua 8:30, was a fitting scene for the solemn renewal on the part of the people of that covenant with... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FLOOD - Better “On the other side of the river,” i. e. the Euphrates. See the marginal reference. THEY SERVED OTHER GODS - Possibly the “images,” or teraphim, which we find their ancestor Laban calling “his gods” (see the marginal reference); and of which it would seem that the... [ Continue Reading ]
CHOOSE - Service of God in sincerity and truth can only result from a free and willing allegiance of the heart. This accordingly is what Joshua invites, as Moses had done before him (Deuteronomy 30:15 ff).... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE A COVENANT WITH THE PEOPLE - i. e. he solemnly ratified and renewed the covenant of Sinai, as Moses had done before him Deuteronomy 29:1. As no new or different covenant was made, no sacrifices were necessary.... [ Continue Reading ]
Consult the marginal references. THAT WAS BY THE SANCTUARY OF THE LORD - i. e. the spot where Abraham and Jacob had sacrificed and worshipped, and which might well be regarded by their posterity as a holy place or sanctuary. Perhaps the very altar of Abraham and Jacob was still remaining.... [ Continue Reading ]
(Eleazar’s burial-place is placed by Conder not at Tibneh but in the village of ‘Awertah.)... [ Continue Reading ]