Joshua 24:27 And Joshua said to all the people, "You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God."

◄ Joshua 24:27 ►

New International Version
“See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.”

New Living Translation
Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”

English Standard Version
And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.”

King James Bible
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

New King James Version
And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. It shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, because it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; so it shall be a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.”

NASB 1995
Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.”

NASB 1977
And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of Yahweh which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God.”

Amplified Bible
Joshua then said to all the people, “Look, this stone shall serve as a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; so it shall be a witness against you, so that [afterward] you do not deny your God.”

Christian Standard Bible
And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone—it will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD said to us, and it will be a witness against you, so that you will not deny your God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone—it will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD said to us, and it will be a witness against you, so that you will not deny your God.”

American Standard Version
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of Jehovah which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God.

Contemporary English Version
and told the people, "Look at this stone. It has heard everything that the LORD has said to us. Our God can call this stone as a witness if we ever reject him."

English Revised Version
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joshua told all the people, "This stone will stand as a witness for us. It has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It will stand as a witness for you. You cannot deceive your God."

Good News Translation
He said to all the people, "This stone will be our witness. It has heard all the words that the LORD has spoken to us. So it will be a witness against you, to keep you from rebelling against your God."

International Standard Version
and then told all of the people, "Look! This stone will testify for us, because it has heard everything that the LORD has spoken to us. So it will stand as a witness against you in the event that you deny your God."

Majority Standard Bible
And Joshua said to all the people, ?You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.?

NET Bible
Joshua said to all the people, "Look, this stone will be a witness against you, for it has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness against you if you deny your God."

New Heart English Bible
Joshua said to all the people, "Look, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us, it shall be therefore a witness to you, lest ye deny your God.

World English Bible
Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all Yahweh’s words which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Joshua says to all the people, “Behold, this stone is for a witness against us, for it has heard all the sayings of YHWH which He has spoken with us, and it has been for a witness against you, lest you lie against your God.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Joshua saith unto all the people, 'Lo, this stone is against us for a witness, for it hath heard all the sayings of Jehovah which He hath spoken with us, and it hath been against you for a witness, lest ye lie against your God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua will say to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be to us for a testimony, for it heard all the sayings of Jehovah which he spake with us: and it was to you for a testimony lest ye shall lie to your God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to all the people: Behold this stone shall be a testimony unto you, that it hath heard all the words of the Lord, which he hath spoken to you: lest perhaps hereafter you will deny it, and lie to the Lord your God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to all the people, “Lo, this stone shall be to you as a testimony, which has heard all the words of the Lord that he has spoken to you, lest perhaps, afterward, you might choose to deny it, and to lie to the Lord your God.”

New American Bible
And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.”

New Revised Standard Version
Joshua said to all the people, “See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Joshua said to all the people. Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us; it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deal treacherously with the LORD your God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yeshua said to all the people: “Behold, this stone shall be to us a witness, because this has heard all of the words of LORD JEHOVAH that he spoke with us, and it shall be for yourselves a witness that you will not be false to LORD JEHOVAH your God”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Joshua said unto all the people: 'Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke unto us; it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joshua said to the people, Behold, this stone shall be among you for a witness, for it has heard all the words that have been spoken to it by the Lord; for he has spoken to you this day; and this stone shall be among you for a witness in the last days, whenever ye shall deal falsely with the Lord my God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Choose Whom You will Serve
…26Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was near the sanctuary of the LORD. 27And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.” 28Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 31:19-21
Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them. / When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant. / And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.”

Deuteronomy 31:26
“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.

Exodus 24:4
And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.

2 Kings 23:3
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

2 Kings 23:21-23
The king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” / No such Passover had been observed from the days of the judges who had governed Israel through all the days of the kings of Israel and Judah. / But in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed to the LORD in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 9:38
In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”

Nehemiah 10:28-29
“The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand, / hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to obey carefully all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.

Psalm 78:5-7
For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children / that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.

Isaiah 30:8
Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Jeremiah 32:10-12
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

Matthew 5:18
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Luke 16:17
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

Treasury of Scripture

And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us: it shall be therefore a witness to you, lest you deny your God.

Joshua 22:27,28,34
But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD…

Genesis 31:44-52
Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee…

Deuteronomy 4:26
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

it hath

Deuteronomy 32:1
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Isaiah 1:2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Habakkuk 2:11
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

deny

Job 31:23
For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

Proverbs 30:9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Matthew 10:33
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

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Joshua 24

1. Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem
2. A brief history of God's benefits from Terah
14. He renews the covenant between them and God
26. A stone the witness of the covenant
29. Joshua's age, death, and burial
32. Joseph's bones are buried
33. Eleazar dies

Berean Study Bible

And Joshua said to all the people
This phrase sets the scene for a communal gathering, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the Israelites. Joshua, as the leader, addresses the entire nation, underscoring the importance of unity in faith and obedience. Historically, this moment follows the renewal of the covenant at Shechem, a significant site for Israel's history, where Abraham first received God's promise (Genesis 12:6-7). The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, indicating the gravity of Joshua's message.

Behold, this stone
The use of "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) serves as an imperative to pay attention, drawing the people's focus to the stone. Stones in ancient Near Eastern cultures often served as memorials or witnesses to covenants. This particular stone is not just a physical object but a symbol of the enduring nature of the covenant between God and Israel. Archaeologically, stones were commonly used in ancient times to mark significant events or agreements, serving as tangible reminders of commitments made.

will be a witness against us
The concept of a stone as a "witness" (עֵד, 'ed) is profound, suggesting that the stone metaphorically "observes" and "remembers" the covenant. In the Hebrew tradition, witnesses were crucial in legal and covenantal contexts, ensuring accountability. This stone, therefore, stands as a perpetual reminder of the people's promise to serve the LORD, reinforcing the seriousness of their commitment.

for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us
This phrase personifies the stone, attributing it with the ability to "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama). In a poetic sense, it underscores the omnipresence and omniscience of God, who uses creation itself to bear witness to His words. The "words the LORD has spoken" refer to the covenantal laws and promises given to Israel, highlighting the divine authority and sacredness of these commands.

And it will be a witness against you
Reiterating the stone's role as a witness, this phrase emphasizes personal accountability. The repetition serves as a warning to the Israelites, reminding them that their actions are observed and will be judged. The stone's presence is a constant reminder of their vow to remain faithful to God.

if you ever deny your God
The conditional "if" introduces a solemn warning about the potential for apostasy. To "deny" (כָּחַשׁ, kachash) in Hebrew implies a deliberate rejection or betrayal. This phrase serves as a caution against idolatry and unfaithfulness, urging the Israelites to remain steadfast in their devotion. Historically, Israel's struggle with idolatry is well-documented, making this warning particularly poignant. The phrase underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people, which requires loyalty and obedience.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 27. - A witness (see note on Joshua 22:27). For it hath heard. Joshua speaks by a poetical figure of the stone, as though it had intelligence. The stone was taken from the very place where they stood, and within earshot of the words which had been spoken. Thus it became a more forcible memorial of what had occurred than if it had been brought from far. Ye deny your God. To deny is to say that He is not. The Hebrew implies "to deny concerning Him," to contest the truth of what has been revealed of His essence, and to disparage or deny the great things He had done for His people. The whole scene must have been a striking one. The aged warrior, full of years and honours, venerable from his piety and courage and implicit obedience, addresses in the measured, perhaps tremulous, accents of age the representatives of the whole people he has led so long and so well. Around him are the ancient memories of his race. Here Abraham pitched his tent in his wanderings through Canaan. Here was the first altar built to the worship of the one true God of the land. Here Jacob had buried the teraphim, and solemnly engaged his household in the worship of the true God. Here was the second foothold the children of Abraham obtained in the promised land (see ver. 32), a foretaste of their future inheritance. The bare heights of Ebal soared above them on one side, the softer outlines of Gerizim rose above them on the other; and on their sides, the plaster fresh and the letters distinct and clear, were to be seen the blessings and the curses foretold of those who kept and those who broke the law. In the midst, Shechem, in a situation, as we have seen, of rare beauty, bore witness to the fulfilment of God's promise that the land of their inheritance should be "a good land," a "land flowing with milk and honey." No other place could combine so many solemn memories; none could more adequately remind them of the fulness of blessing God had in store for those who would obey His word; none could be fitter to impress upon them the duty of worshipping God, and Him alone.

CHAPTER 24:29-33. JOSHUA'S DEATH AND BURIAL. -

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people,
הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

“You see
הִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

this
הַזֹּאת֙ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

stone.
הָאֶ֤בֶן (hā·’e·ḇen)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

It will be
תִּֽהְיֶה־ (tih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a witness
לְעֵדָ֔ה (lə·‘ê·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5713: Testimony, witness

against us,
בָּ֣נוּ (bā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it
הִ֣יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

has heard
שָׁמְעָ֗ה (šā·mə·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the words
אִמְרֵ֣י (’im·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 561: Something said

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has spoken
דִּבֶּ֖ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to us,
עִמָּ֑נוּ (‘im·mā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

and it will be
וְהָיְתָ֤ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a witness against you
לְעֵדָ֔ה (lə·‘ê·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5713: Testimony, witness

if you ever
פֶּֽן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

deny
תְּכַחֲשׁ֖וּן (tə·ḵa·ḥă·šūn)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 3584: To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean

your God.?
בֵּאלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (bê·lō·hê·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

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OT History: Joshua 24:27 Joshua said to all the people Behold (Josh. Jos)