And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

JOSHUA 8:33KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 8:33 (KJV)

What does Joshua 8:33 mean?

Joshua 8:33 describes how all the people of Israel, including their leaders and even foreigners living among them, stood on either side of the ark of the covenant, facing Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, as the priests and Levites held the ark. This was done according to Moses’ earlier command, so the people could receive a blessing.

In this scene, Joshua is leading the Israelites after their victory at Ai. The people are gathered in a formal assembly, with half standing before Mount Gerizim and half before Mount Ebal, as instructed by Moses in Deuteronomy. The ark of the covenant, carried by the priests and Levites, is at the center, symbolizing God’s presence. This ceremony marks a moment of covenant renewal, where all—native Israelites and foreigners—are included in the blessing, showing the unity and seriousness of following God’s law.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 8:33

  • גֵּר (ger, “stranger”): This word refers to foreigners or non-Israelites living among the people. Including them in the ceremony highlights that the covenant’s blessings and responsibilities were not just for ethnic Israelites but for everyone present in the community.
  • בְּרִית (berit, “covenant”): This word means a solemn agreement or promise. The ark is called “the ark of the covenant of the LORD,” emphasizing that what is happening is tied to God’s binding promises with Israel.
  • בָּרַךְ (barak, “bless”): The command to “bless the people of Israel” uses this word, which often means to speak good or invoke favor. Here, it shows that the ceremony was not just a ritual but an act of seeking God’s favor for the whole nation.

Why Joshua 8:33 matters

  • Joshua 8:33 clarifies that both Israelites and non-Israelites were included in the covenant ceremony, showing the openness of God’s promises to all who joined the community.
  • The verse connects back to Moses’ instructions in Deuteronomy, showing that Joshua was careful to follow God’s law exactly, reinforcing the importance of obedience.
  • By placing the ark and the priests at the center, the verse highlights that God’s presence and covenant are the foundation of Israel’s life and unity, not just military victories or national identity.

Where else these words appear

“Gerizim” Hebrew H1630 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.
  • Deuteronomy 27:12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
  • Judges 9:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

“Ebal” Hebrew H5858 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 36:23 And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
  • Deuteronomy 27:4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
  • Joshua 8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

“born” Hebrew H249 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
  • Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
  • Numbers 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

“officers” Hebrew H7860 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
  • Joshua 24:1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.