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.

◄ Joshua 8:31 ►

New International Version
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 had been used. On it they offered to the LORD burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.

New Living Translation
He followed the commands that Moses the LORD’s servant had written in the Book of Instruction: “Make me an altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools.” Then on the altar they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

English Standard Version
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, “an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
as Moses the servant of the LORD had 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 has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

New American Standard Bible
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no one had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

NASB 1995
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

NASB 1977
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones, on which no man had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Legacy Standard Bible
just as Moses the servant of Yahweh had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to Yahweh and sacrificed peace offerings.

Amplified Bible
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no one has wielded an iron tool; and they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Christian Standard Bible
just as Moses the LORD’s servant 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. Then they offered burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings on it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
just as Moses the LORD’s servant 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. Then they offered burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings on it.

American Standard Version
as Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, upon which no man had lifted up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt-offerings unto Jehovah, and sacrificed peace-offerings.

English Revised 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 unhewn stones, upon which no man had lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He built an altar with uncut stones on which no iron chisels had been used. This was as the LORD's servant Moses had commanded the people of Israel in the Book of Moses' Teachings. They made burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings on the altar.

Good News Translation
He made it according to the instructions that Moses, the LORD's servant, had given the Israelites, as it says in the Law of Moses: "an altar made of stones which have not been cut with iron tools." On it they offered burnt sacrifices to the LORD, and they also presented their fellowship offerings.

International Standard Version
just the way Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelis in the Book of the Law of Moses: "…an altar of uncut stones that hasn't been worked with iron tools…" and they offered burnt offerings to the LORD on it, along with peace offerings.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
just as Moses the LORD's servant had commanded the Israelites. As described in the law scroll of Moses, it was made with uncut stones untouched by an iron tool. They offered burnt sacrifices on it and sacrificed tokens of peace.

New Heart English Bible
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 uncut stones, on which no man has touched with an iron tool." They offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 lifted up any iron: and they offered upon it burnt-offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace-offerings.

World English Bible
as Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses: an altar of uncut stones, on which no one had lifted up any iron. They offered burnt offerings on it to Yahweh and sacrificed peace offerings.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
as Moses, servant of YHWH, commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Scroll of the Law of Moses—an altar of whole stones, over which he has not waved iron—and they cause burnt-offerings to go up on it to YHWH, and sacrifice peace-offerings;

Young's Literal Translation
as Moses, servant of Jehovah, commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses -- an altar of whole stones, over which he hath not waved iron -- and they cause to go up upon it burnt-offerings to Jehovah, and sacrifice peace-offerings;

Smith's Literal Translation
As Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded the sons of Israel, as it was written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of stones complete; which iron was not lifted up upon them: and they will bring up upon it burnt-offerings to Jehovah, and will sacrifice peace.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
As Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the children of Israel, and it is written in the book of the law of Moses: an altar of unhewn stones which iron had not touched: and he offered upon it holocausts to the Lord, and immolated victims of peace offerings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
just as Moses, the servant of the Lord, had instructed to the sons of Israel, and this was written in the book of the law of Moses: truly, an altar of uncut stones, which iron has not touched. And he offered holocausts upon it to the Lord, and he immolated victims as peace-offerings.

New American Bible
of unhewn stones on which no iron tool had been used, just as Moses, the servant of the LORD, had commanded the Israelites, as recorded in the book of the law. On this altar they sacrificed burnt offerings to the LORD and made communion sacrifices.

New Revised Standard Version
just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, “an altar of unhewn stones, on which no iron tool has been used”; and they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed offerings of well-being.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
As Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones upon which no man has lifted up any iron instrument; and they offered thereon burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
As Moshe the Servant of LORD JEHOVAH commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moshe, an altar of whole stones without iron falling on them, and they brought upon it a burning peace offering to LORD JEHOVAH and they sacrificed sacrifices

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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 unhewn stones, upon which no man had lifted up any iron; and they offered thereon burnt-offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace-offerings.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, on which iron had not been lifted up; and he offered there whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord, and a peace-offering.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Joshua Renews the Covenant
30At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, 31just 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. 32And there in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua inscribed on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 27:5-6
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. / You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.

Exodus 20:25
Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.

Deuteronomy 27:2-4
And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. / Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. / And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27:8
And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.”

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.

1 Kings 18:31-32
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.” / And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.

Deuteronomy 12:5-7
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

1 Samuel 7:12
Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

1 Kings 6:7
The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

2 Kings 16:10-11
Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned.

Isaiah 19:19
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

Genesis 12:7
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 22:9
When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.

Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Treasury of Scripture

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 has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

as it is

Joshua 8:34,25
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law…

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2 Kings 14:6
But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

altar

Exodus 20:24,25
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee…

Deuteronomy 27:5,6
And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them…

1 Kings 18:31,32
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: …

and they offered

Exodus 18:12
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

Exodus 24:5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

Deuteronomy 27:6,7
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: …

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Altar Book Burnt Burnt-Offerings Children Commanded Iron Israel Law Moses Offered Offerings Peace Peace-Offerings Sacrificed Servant Stones Thereon Uncut Unhewn Whole Written

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Altar Book Burnt Burnt-Offerings Children Commanded Iron Israel Law Moses Offered Offerings Peace Peace-Offerings Sacrificed Servant Stones Thereon Uncut Unhewn Whole Written

Joshua 8

1. God encourages Joshua
3. The plan whereby Ai was taken
29. The king thereof is hanged
30. Joshua builds an altar
32. writes the law on stones
33. and pronounces the blessings and curses

Berean Study Bible

just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites
This phrase underscores the continuity and faithfulness to the divine instructions given through Moses. The Hebrew root for "commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah) implies a direct order or charge, emphasizing the authority of Moses as God's chosen leader. The reference to Moses as "the servant of the LORD" highlights his role as a mediator between God and Israel, a model of obedience and faithfulness. This obedience to Moses' commands reflects a deep respect for the covenantal relationship established at Sinai.

He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses
The phrase "according to what is written" indicates a strict adherence to the divine instructions recorded in the Torah. The "Book of the Law of Moses" refers to the Pentateuch, particularly the instructions found in Deuteronomy 27:5-6 regarding the construction of altars. This adherence to the written law signifies the importance of Scripture as the ultimate authority in guiding the community's worship and life.

an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool had been used
The use of "uncut stones" (Hebrew: אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת, avanim shelemot) symbolizes purity and the natural state of creation, untouched by human craftsmanship. The prohibition of iron tools suggests a rejection of human pride and technological prowess in worship, emphasizing that the altar is a place of divine encounter, not human achievement. This practice reflects a broader biblical theme of humility and reverence before God.

And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD
"Burnt offerings" (Hebrew: עֹלוֹת, olot) were sacrifices wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication and surrender to God. The act of offering these sacrifices on the altar signifies Israel's renewed commitment to the covenant and their desire for atonement and reconciliation with God. It is a profound expression of worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace.

and they sacrificed fellowship offerings
"Fellowship offerings" (Hebrew: שְׁלָמִים, shelamim) are also known as peace offerings, representing communion and thanksgiving. These offerings were shared between the altar, the priests, and the offerer, symbolizing peace and fellowship with God and the community. This act of sacrifice highlights the communal aspect of worship and the restoration of harmony between God and His people, as well as among the people themselves.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded (see Exodus 20:25; Deuteronomy 27:4, 5). Here, and in ver. 33, we find the writer making an extract from the Book of Deuteronomy. As has been before said, the natural explanation is that the Book of Joshua was written after the Book of Deuteronomy, and that the Book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses, or how could Joshua have carried out instructions which had never been given? The Elohist, Jehovist, and Denteronomist theory supposes the compiler of the Book of Joshua to have done his work in so perfunctory a fashion, that it is quite possible for critics living at a distance of three thousand years and more to detect the various fragments of which his mosaic is constructed. He is so void of common sense as to have inserted this narrative in a place so obviously unsuitable that it involves a palpable contradiction to probability and common sense, and this when he could have placed it in a dozen other parts of the book where no such improbability would be involved. Yet, in spite of the incredible carelessness with which he put his materials together, we are required to believe that "the Deuteronomist" had the foresight to insert the fulfilment of the command of Moses which he had invented in Deuteronomy 11:26-30; Deuteronomy 27:1-26; and that in so doing he abbreviated the narrative so as to leave out many details of his own invention. Now, under the supposition of a later fabrication of supplementary observances to be imposed upon the children of Israel, it is hardly probable that the account of the plaster with which the stones were to be plastered, and the enumeration of the tribes and the curses, would be omitted, since by the hypothesis the object of the Deuteronomist was to secure implicit obedience to the sacerdotal enactments he was inventing. But on the hypothesis of the genuineness of both writings everything fits in naturally enough. An altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron. As though to intimate (see Exodus 20:25) that all should be natural and spontaneous in the worship of God, and that as little of human devising should be introduced as possible. The altar must be raised by man, but the principles of the worship must not be devised by him. This interpretation, however, is rejected by Calvin, who thinks that all that was meant was to preclude the perpetual existence of the altar (though how the substitution of whole for hewn stones could effect this is not apparent); and Keil and Bahr ('Symbolik,' 1. pp. 487, 488),who think that the altar ought (Exodus 20:24) properly to be of earth, since sacrifice is rendered necessary by man's earthly or carnal nature, and that unhewn stone is the only substitute for earth which is allowed. But surely man's handiwork is the offspring of his unregenerate nature, and therefore may, from this point of view, be rightly employed in sacrifice. Hengstenberg ('Gesehichte des Reiches Gottes,' p. 223) thinks that the reason of the command was that, since only one place of worship was permitted for all Israel, an altar had sometimes to be hastily thrown up. But when we consider the symbolic character of the Mosaic worship, we are compelled to reject this interpretation as unsatisfactory. Benjamin of Tudela (see Drusius in loc.) appears to have supposed that these stones were those which had been taken out of Jordan. Masius devotes considerable space to the refutation of this opinion (see also note on last verse). And they offered thereon. Delitzsch remarks on the inversion of the order here, as compared with Deuteronomy 27. But this is obviously the true order. The worship would naturally precede the ceremony rather than follow it.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֨ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

the servant
עֶֽבֶד־ (‘e·ḇeḏ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

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

had commanded
צִוָּה֩ (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

the Israelites.
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

He built it according to what is written
כַּכָּתוּב֙ (kak·kā·ṯūḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in the book
בְּסֵ֙פֶר֙ (bə·sê·p̄er)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

of the Law
תּוֹרַ֣ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of Moses:
מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

an altar
מִזְבַּח֙ (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of uncut
שְׁלֵמ֔וֹת (šə·lê·mō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 8003: Complete, safe, at peace

stones
אֲבָנִ֣ים (’ă·ḇā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 68: A stone

on
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן (‘ă·lê·hen)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

which
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

no
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

iron tool
בַּרְזֶ֑ל (bar·zel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement

had been used.
הֵנִ֥יף (hê·nîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5130: To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle

And on it
עָלָ֤יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

they offered
וַיַּעֲל֨וּ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

burnt offerings
עֹלוֹת֙ (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

to the LORD,
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and they sacrificed
וַֽיִּזְבְּח֖וּ (way·yiz·bə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

peace offerings.
שְׁלָמִֽים׃ (šə·lā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8002: A sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering

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OT History: Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded (Josh. Jos)