Bible Strands
Joshua 8:31
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua 8:31 follows the immediate construction of an altar on Mount Ebal and records the fulfillment of a prior directive given to the Israelites. The narrative shifts to the completion of the structure and the execution of prescribed sacrifices.
The words — The Hebrew צִוָּה (tzi.Vah) translates as "he had commanded," grounding the altar's construction in authoritative instruction. The designation עֶֽבֶד־יְהוָה ('e.ved-Yah.weh) identifies Moses as "the servant of Yahweh," marking his role as the transmitter of the law.
The thread — The text explicitly ties the altar's design to the "Book of the Law of Moses" and the specification of uncut stones worked without iron. This aligns with the instructions in Deuteronomy 27:5-6 and mirrors the sacrificial categories noted in Exodus 20:24.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to note that worship acts here are bound to written Mosaic regulation rather than personal or national preference. It demands attention to how exact compliance with divine text dictates the form and function of Israelite sacrifice.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 27:5 Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.
- Exodus 20:24 You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.
- Exodus 18:12 Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.
- Exodus 24:5 Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD.
- Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
- Joshua 8:34 Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.
- 1 Kings 18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.”
- 2 Kings 14:6 Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”
- 2 Kings 22:8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
- 2 Chronicles 25:4 Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”