Joshua Chapter 24 · Verse 27
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֗ם
unto all the people
H5971
הָעָ֗ם
unto all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
תִּֽהְיֶה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִ֣יא
H1931
הִ֣יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 27
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה
unto us for it hath heard
H8085
שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה
unto us for it hath heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
14 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 27
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 #:
16 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֖ר
which he spake
H1696
דִּבֶּ֖ר
which he spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
20 of 27
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עִמָּ֑נוּ
H5973
עִמָּ֑נוּ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
21 of 27
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
22 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
פֶּֽן
H6435
פֶּֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
Cross References
Luke 19:40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.Joshua 22:34And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.Matthew 10:33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.Deuteronomy 31:26Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.Isaiah 1:2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.Job 31:23For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.Proverbs 30:9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.Deuteronomy 31:21And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.Deuteronomy 32:1Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.1 Samuel 7:12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
Historical Context
Personifying witness-stones was common in ancient Near Eastern treaties. Hittite and Assyrian treaties invoked gods and natural elements as witnesses. Israel adapts this: not pagan gods but the true God, with creation as His witness stand. The stone stood for centuries, possibly until the Assyrian conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- What created things 'testify' to God's reality and your covenant obligations?
- How do physical reminders of past commitments help prevent future compromise?
Analysis & Commentary
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us—Joshua personifies the stone: it hath heard (shamea, שָׁמְעָה). Though inanimate, the stone 'testifies' by its presence. It shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God—the monument prevents covenant amnesia.
Creation bears witness to God (Psalm 19:1-4, Romans 1:20). Even stones can 'cry out' (Luke 19:40). Joshua's logic: if a stone remembers, how much more should living people? This witness stands lest ye deny (pen tekachashun, פֶּן תְּכַחֲשׁוּן, 'lest you deceive/lie to') God—apostasy equals lying to the One who saved you.