Bible Strands
Joshua 23:2
he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua speaks to the entire nation of Israel, specifically naming its elders, leaders, judges, and officers, at the end of his life after the land has been secured.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּקְרָא (va/yik.ra') translates literally as "he summoned" or "called," establishing a formal assembly. The phrase לְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל (le/khol.yis.ra.el) designates the whole community, explicitly listing its four governing classes.
The thread — This procedure of convening the full leadership council for national instruction appears in Joshua 24:1, Deuteronomy 31:28, and 1 Chronicles 28:1.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that covenant instruction must be delivered directly to the established authorities who bear responsibility for the people.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
Cross-references
- Joshua 24:1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.
- Deuteronomy 31:28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
- 1 Chronicles 28:1 Now David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials and mighty men—every mighty man of valor.
- Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.