Joshua 24:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֧ף

H622

gathered

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ

H3091

And Joshua

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שִׁבְטֵ֥י

H7626

all the tribes

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

שְׁכֶ֑מָה

H7927

to Shechem

shekem, a place in palestine

וַיִּקְרָא֩

H7121

and called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְזִקְנֵ֨י

H2205

for the elders

old

#10

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#11

וּלְרָאשָׁ֗יו

H7218

and for their heads

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#12

וּלְשֹֽׁפְטָיו֙

H8199

and for their judges

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

#13

וּלְשֹׁ֣טְרָ֔יו

H7860

and for their officers

properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate

#14

וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ

H3320

and they presented

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

#15

לִפְנֵ֥י

H6440

themselves before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#16

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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