Bible Strands
Joshua 8:35
There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua reads the complete law before the entire assembly of Israel, including women, children, and resident foreigners, immediately following the conquest of Ai.
The words — The Hebrew phrase לֹא־הָיָה דָבָר (lo' hayah daVar) literally renders "there was not a word," marking Joshua’s total compliance with Moses’ prior commands.
The thread — This public recitation fulfills the mandate in Deuteronomy 31:12 and parallels Ezra’s later reading in Nehemiah 8:2 and Jeremiah’s courtyard proclamation in Jeremiah 26:2.
Why it lands — The text records that Joshua omitted nothing Moses commanded, requiring readers to examine whether they transmit or follow the full written instruction rather than selective portions.
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
There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 31:12 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.
- Nehemiah 8:2 On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.
- Jeremiah 26:2 “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word.
- Deuteronomy 29:11 your children and wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water—
- Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.
- Joel 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
- Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Acts 21:5 But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
- Exodus 12:38 And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.
- Deuteronomy 4:2 You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.