Joshua Chapter 24 · Verse 1
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֧ף
gathered
H622
וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֧ף
gathered
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
1 of 16
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
all the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
all the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
5 of 16
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּקְרָא֩
and called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָא֩
and called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּלְרָאשָׁ֗יו
and for their heads
H7218
וּלְרָאשָׁ֗יו
and for their heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
11 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וּלְשֹֽׁפְטָיו֙
and for their judges
H8199
וּלְשֹֽׁפְטָיו֙
and for their judges
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
12 of 16
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וּלְשֹׁ֣טְרָ֔יו
and for their officers
H7860
וּלְשֹׁ֣טְרָ֔יו
and for their officers
Strong's:
H7860
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ
and they presented
H3320
וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ
and they presented
Strong's:
H3320
Word #:
14 of 16
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
Cross References
Joshua 23:2And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:1 Samuel 10:19And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
Historical Context
This assembly occurred near the end of Joshua's life (c. 1390-1380 BC), approximately seven years after the conquest began. Shechem lay in the hill country of Ephraim, between Mount Gerizal and Mount Ebal, where Israel had earlier renewed covenant obedience (Joshua 8:30-35). The city's central location made it accessible to all tribes. This farewell address parallels Moses's final speeches in Deuteronomy, establishing a pattern of covenant renewal at generational transitions.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Joshua choose Shechem rather than Shiloh (where the tabernacle stood) for this covenant renewal?
- What does 'presenting themselves before God' reveal about covenant making versus mere human agreements?
- How do farewell addresses by dying leaders (Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Paul) function to anchor future generations in covenant faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אָסַף אֶת־כָּל־שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁכֶמָה)—this assembly at Shechem (שְׁכֶם) carries profound covenant significance. Shechem was where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7), where Jacob buried foreign gods (Genesis 35:4), and now becomes the site of covenant renewal. The verb asaf (אָסַף, to gather/assemble) indicates a formal, sacred assembly.
They presented themselves before God (וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים)—the reflexive verb yityatzvu (to station oneself, present oneself) appears in contexts of formal covenant making. This was not merely a political gathering but a theophanic encounter. The leadership structure—elders (זְקֵנִים), heads (רָאשִׁים), judges (שֹׁפְטִים), and officers (שֹׁטְרִים)—represents the complete governmental structure, ensuring every tribe participates in covenant renewal. Joshua, like Moses before him (Deuteronomy 31), calls Israel to recommitment before his death.