Joshua 8:31
As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
Original Language Analysis
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כַּכָּתוּב֙
as it is written
H3789
כַּכָּתוּב֙
as it is written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
9 of 26
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בְּסֵ֙פֶר֙
in the book
H5612
בְּסֵ֙פֶר֙
in the book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
תּוֹרַ֣ת
of the law
H8451
תּוֹרַ֣ת
of the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
11 of 26
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
שְׁלֵמ֔וֹת
of whole
H8003
שְׁלֵמ֔וֹת
of whole
Strong's:
H8003
Word #:
15 of 26
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֵנִ֥יף
over which no man hath lift up
H5130
הֵנִ֥יף
over which no man hath lift up
Strong's:
H5130
Word #:
18 of 26
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
any iron
H1270
בַּרְזֶ֑ל
any iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
20 of 26
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ
and they offered
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ
and they offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
21 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָלָ֤יו
H5921
עָלָ֤יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֹלוֹת֙
thereon burnt offerings
H5930
עֹלוֹת֙
thereon burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
23 of 26
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim flanked the city of Shechem, the geographical heart of Canaan where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7). Moses commanded this covenant ceremony before his death (Deuteronomy 27), and Joshua faithfully executed it immediately after conquering Ai. Archaeological excavations on Mount Ebal have uncovered an altar structure from this period.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the prohibition against using iron tools on God's altar challenge our tendency to improve God's plan with human methods?
- What does the sequence of worship before law-reading teach about the foundation of biblical obedience?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill the symbolism of the unhewn stone altar as the undefiled mediator between God and humanity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
An altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron (מִזְבֵּחַ אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת, mizbeach avanim shlemot)—the requirement for unhewn stones (Exodus 20:25, Deuteronomy 27:5-6) preserved the altar's purity from human craftsmanship. Iron tools symbolized human warfare and violence, forbidden from touching what mediated peace with God. The altar at Mount Ebal fulfilled the Mosaic command for covenant renewal upon entering Canaan.
Burnt offerings (עֹלוֹת, olot) and peace offerings (שְׁלָמִים, shelamim) together represented complete consecration to God and fellowship communion. This worship preceded the reading of the law (v. 34), establishing that Israel's obedience flowed from covenant relationship, not mere legalism. The uncut stones pointed forward to Christ, the 'stone which the builders rejected' (Psalm 118:22), whose unbroken body secured eternal peace.