Joshua 8:33

Authorized King James Version

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְכָל

H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

And all Israel

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

וּזְקֵנָ֡יו

H2205

and their elders

old

וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֣ים׀

H7860

and officers

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

וְשֹֽׁפְטָ֡יו

H8199

and 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

עֹֽמְדִ֣ים

H5975

stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מִזֶּ֣ה׀

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּמִזֶּ֣ה׀

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲר֣וֹן

H727

on this side the ark

a box

#10

נֶגֶד֩

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

#11

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֨ים

H3548

and on that side before the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#12

הַלְוִיִּ֜ם

H3881

the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

#13

נֹֽשְׂאֵ֣י׀

H5375

which bare

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#14

אֲר֣וֹן

H727

on this side the ark

a box

#15

בְּרִית

H1285

of the covenant

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

#16

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#17

כַּגֵּר֙

H1616

as well the stranger

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

#18

כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔ח

H249

as he that was born

a spontaneous growth, i.e., native (tree or persons)

#19

וְהַֽחֶצְי֖וֹ

H2677

among them half

the half or middle

#20

אֶל

H413

of them over

near, with or among; often in general, to

#21

מ֣וּל

H4136

against

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite

#22

הַר

H2022

mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#23

גְּרִזִ֔ים

H1630

Gerizim

gerizim, a mountain of palestine

#24

וְהַֽחֶצְי֖וֹ

H2677

among them half

the half or middle

#25

אֶל

H413

of them over

near, with or among; often in general, to

#26

מ֣וּל

H4136

against

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite

#27

הַר

H2022

mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#28

עֵיבָ֑ל

H5858

Ebal

ebal, a mountain of palestine

#29

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#30

צִוָּ֜ה

H6680

had commanded

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

#31

מֹשֶׁ֣ה

H4872

as Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

#32

עֶֽבֶד

H5650

the servant

a servant

#33

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#34

לְבָרֵ֛ךְ

H1288

that they should bless

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

#35

אֶת

H853

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

#36

הָעָ֥ם

H5971

the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#37

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

And all Israel

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

#38

בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָֽה׃

H7223

before

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of covenant, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology of covenant and God's relational commitment?
What practical applications emerge from understanding covenant as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
How does the covenant theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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