Jos 24:1-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Josh 24:1-27: 24:1-27 In both form and content, this statement of covenant resembled an ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaty. It begins with a preamble (24:2 ) and continues with a historical prologue relating the suzerain’s (God’s) gracious acts on behalf of the people (24:3-13 ), followed by a list of stipulations (24:14-15 ) and curses and blessings (24:19-20 ). It then notes where the text was to be deposited for periodic reading and renewal (implied, 24:26 ) and lists witnesses to the covenant (24:22 , 27 ). See also study note on Exod 20:1–23:33. Summary for Josh 24:1-13: 24:1-13 Joshua recounted God’s grace toward Israel. 24:1 Shechem was the location of the first affirmation of the covenant shortly after Israel had entered the land of Canaan (see 8:30-35 and corresponding study notes).

Summary for Josh 24:1-27: 24:1-27 ^a In both form and content, this statement of covenant resembled an ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaty. It begins with a preamble (24:2 ^b) and continues with a historical prologue relating the suzerain’s (God’s) gracious acts on behalf of the people (24:3-13 ^c), followed by a list of stipulations (24:14-15 ^d) and curses and blessings (24:19-20 ^e). It then notes where the text was to be deposited for periodic reading and renewal (implied, 24:26 ^f) and lists witnesses to the covenant (24:22 ^g, 27 ^h). See also study note on Exod 20:1–23:33.
Summary for Josh 24:1-13: 24:1-13 ⁱ Joshua recounted God’s grace toward Israel. 24:1 ^j Shechem was the location of the first affirmation of the covenant shortly after Israel had entered the land of Canaan (see 8:30-35 ^k and corresponding study notes).
24:2 ^l Terah: See Gen 11:27-32 ^m.
Summary for Josh 24:3-13: 24:3-13 ⁿ Israel’s faith was always the result of God’s initiative. Joshua’s repetition of God’s words I took ... I gave ... I sent ... I brought reminded the Israelites why they should continue to be loyal to God. 24:3 ^o Abraham lived at Haran in Mesopotamia beyond the Euphrates with his father Terah (Gen 11:31-32 ^p).

• led him into ... Canaan: See Gen 12:1-9 ^q.
24:4 ^r Jacob and Esau: See Gen 25:19-26 ^s.

• The mountains of Seir stood at the heart of Edom, the homeland of Esau’s descendants (Gen 36:8-9 ^t).
Summary for Josh 24:5-7: 24:5-7 ^u The Exodus, which culminated with the crossing of the Red Sea, was the climactic salvation event of ancient Israel’s history. A number of psalms, several of the later prophets, and several New Testament writers all celebrated this defining event.
24:6 ^v Red Sea: See study note on Exod 13:18.
24:7 ^w Even though the older Israelites present here had been children at the time of the Exodus, they had seen the events with their very own eyes.
24:8 ^x Amorites ... their land: See Num 21:21-35 ^y.
Summary for Josh 24:9-10: 24:9-10 ^z See Num 22–25 ^aa; 31:1-54 ^ab.
24:11 ^ac See study note on 3:10.
24:12 ^ad Israel’s successes were not because of their swords or bows or other military advantage; all were God’s doing.
24:13 ^ae The Israelites received wealth, including land ... towns and food, that they had not earned or created.