And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.

JOSHUA 24:26KJV
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Joshua 24:26 (KJV)

What does Joshua 24:26 mean?

Joshua 24:26 describes how Joshua wrote down the words he had just spoken in the book of the law of God and then set up a large stone under an oak tree near the sanctuary of the LORD as a physical reminder of the covenant the people had just affirmed. This verse shows Joshua making a permanent record and a visible sign to help the Israelites remember their commitment to God.

Joshua is speaking to the gathered Israelites at the end of his life, after leading them into the promised land. The setting is a covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem, where Joshua calls the people to serve the LORD alone. By writing in the book and setting up the stone, Joshua is making sure that both the words and the event itself are not forgotten by future generations.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 24:26

  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means a scroll or written document. Here, it refers to the official record of God's law, showing that Joshua’s words were added to the sacred writings.
  • "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means instruction or law. Joshua is not just recording history but adding to the body of God’s teaching for Israel.
  • "stone" (אֶבֶן, even): The use of a large stone as a witness or memorial was common in Israel’s history. This stone serves as a visible, lasting reminder of the people’s promise.
  • "sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash): This word means a holy place or sanctuary. The location near the sanctuary emphasizes the sacredness of the event and the seriousness of the covenant.

Why Joshua 24:26 matters

  • Joshua 24:26 clarifies that the covenant ceremony was not just spoken but also formally recorded, giving it lasting authority and accountability.
  • The verse highlights the importance of physical reminders (like the stone) in helping people remember and keep their commitments to God.
  • By connecting the event to the sanctuary of the LORD, Joshua 24:26 ties the people’s promise directly to their worship and relationship with God, showing that their faith was meant to be both remembered and lived out.

Where else these words appear

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.