Joshua 8:34
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
Original Language Analysis
וְאַֽחֲרֵי
And afterward
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵי
And afterward
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵ֗ן
H3651
כֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
קָרָא֙
he read
H7121
קָרָא֙
he read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 13
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
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 #:
5 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַתּוֹרָֽה׃
of the law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָֽה׃
of the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
7 of 13
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
כְּכָל
H3605
כְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַכָּת֖וּב
according to all that is written
H3789
הַכָּת֖וּב
according to all that is written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
11 of 13
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Historical Context
The public reading of the law was required every seventh year at the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10-13). Joshua's immediate implementation upon entering the land established covenant faithfulness as the foundation for conquest. The ceremony at Shechem occurred between two mountains, creating a natural amphitheater where the entire assembly could hear—a remarkable feat before modern sound amplification.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God require public reading of both blessings and curses rather than emphasizing only the positive?
- How does the inclusion of 'women, little ones, and strangers' in the assembly challenge cultural hierarchies in God's kingdom?
- What does Joshua's immediate obedience to covenant renewal teach about prioritizing spiritual foundations before pursuing further victories?
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Analysis & Commentary
He read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings—Joshua fulfilled Moses' command (Deuteronomy 27:11-26, 31:9-13) to publicly proclaim the entire Torah at Shechem. The Hebrew word for 'blessings' (בְּרָכוֹת, berachot) and 'cursings' (קְלָלוֹת, qelalot) emphasized covenant conditionality: obedience brings life, disobedience brings death (Deuteronomy 28).
This comprehensive reading occurred before 'all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers' (v. 35), democratizing God's word across all social boundaries. Unlike pagan religions with esoteric priest-only knowledge, Israel's covenant was publicly accessible. The pattern anticipates Ezra's law-reading (Nehemiah 8) and finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who embodies both blessing (becoming a curse for us, Galatians 3:13) and the complete Word made flesh (John 1:14).