◄ Joshua 8:30 ►
At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel,
Study Bible
At that time
This phrase indicates a specific moment in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. It suggests a divinely appointed time, emphasizing God's sovereignty and timing in the unfolding of His plans. The Hebrew word for "time" (עֵת, 'et) often denotes an appointed or proper time, underscoring the importance of obedience to God's timing in the life of believers.

Joshua
Joshua, whose name means "The LORD is salvation," is a central figure in this narrative. As Moses' successor, he leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. His leadership is characterized by faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. Joshua's actions here reflect his role as a mediator between God and the people, emphasizing the importance of godly leadership.

built an altar
The act of building an altar is significant in biblical history as it represents worship, sacrifice, and covenant renewal. Altars were places where people met with God, offered sacrifices, and remembered His promises. The Hebrew word for altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) is derived from a root meaning "to slaughter," highlighting the sacrificial aspect of worship. This act of building an altar signifies a renewal of commitment to God and His covenant.

on Mount Ebal
Mount Ebal is one of the two mountains flanking the valley where Shechem is located, the other being Mount Gerizim. In Deuteronomy 27, Moses commanded the Israelites to build an altar on Mount Ebal and pronounce blessings and curses. The choice of Mount Ebal, traditionally associated with curses, for the altar underscores the need for atonement and the seriousness of sin. It also highlights God's grace in providing a means of reconciliation.

to the LORD
The use of the divine name "LORD" (יהוה, YHWH) emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness, holiness, and the exclusivity of worship due to Him alone. This phrase underscores the purpose of the altar: to honor and worship the one true God, reinforcing the first commandment.

the God of Israel
This phrase reaffirms the identity of the LORD as the God of Israel, highlighting the special relationship between God and His chosen people. It serves as a reminder of the covenant promises made to the patriarchs and the fulfillment of those promises in the conquest of the land. It also emphasizes the national identity of Israel as a people set apart for God's purposes, calling believers to remember their identity in Christ and their calling to live as His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan.

2. Mount Ebal
A mountain in the land of Canaan, located near Shechem. It is significant as the site where Joshua built an altar to the LORD.

3. The Altar
A structure built for worship and sacrifice to God, symbolizing obedience and dedication to the LORD.

4. The LORD, the God of Israel
The covenant God of the Israelites, who delivered them from Egypt and led them into the Promised Land.

5. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are entering and taking possession of the land promised to their forefathers.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Joshua's building of the altar on Mount Ebal demonstrates his obedience to God's commands given through Moses. This act of obedience is a model for believers to follow God's instructions faithfully.

Worship as a Central Focus
The construction of the altar signifies the importance of worship in the life of God's people. Worship should be central in our lives, acknowledging God as the source of our strength and victories.

Covenant Renewal
The altar on Mount Ebal represents a renewal of the covenant between God and Israel. Believers are encouraged to regularly renew their commitment to God, remembering His promises and faithfulness.

Public Declaration of Faith
By building the altar, Joshua made a public declaration of faith and allegiance to God. Christians are called to publicly declare their faith and live in a way that honors God.

The Importance of Remembrance
The altar serves as a physical reminder of God's deliverance and promises. Believers should establish reminders in their lives to recall God's faithfulness and past deliverances.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joshua's obedience in building the altar on Mount Ebal challenge us to follow God's commands in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we make worship a central focus in our personal and communal lives, similar to the Israelites' worship on Mount Ebal?

3. How can we regularly renew our covenant relationship with God, and what practices can help us remember His faithfulness?

4. What are some ways we can publicly declare our faith in God in today's society, following Joshua's example?

5. How do the events on Mount Ebal connect with other biblical instances of altar-building, and what can we learn from these connections about God's character and our response to Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 27
This chapter outlines the instructions given by Moses for building an altar on Mount Ebal and the blessings and curses to be proclaimed. Joshua's actions in Joshua 8:30 are a fulfillment of these instructions.

Exodus 20
The giving of the Ten Commandments, which includes instructions on building altars to the LORD, emphasizing worship and obedience.

1 Kings 18
Elijah's building of an altar on Mount Carmel, which parallels Joshua's actions as a demonstration of faithfulness and commitment to God.
Sermons
The National Oath At ShechemAlexander MaclarenJoshua 8:30
The Plastered AltarArthur Ritchie.Joshua 8:30-31
Sacrifice and LawJ. Waite Joshua 8:30-35
The Altar on Ebal, and the Reading and Recording of the LawR. Glover Joshua 8:30-35
The Fruits of VictoryR. Glover Joshua 8:30-35
People
Israelites, Joshua, Levites
Places
Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim
Topics
Altar, Build, Built, Ebal, Joshua, Mount
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 8:30

     7302   altar

Joshua 8:30-31

     1640   Book of the Law
     4336   iron
     5240   building

Joshua 8:30-32

     4366   stones
     5574   tablet

Joshua 8:30-35

     4254   mountains

Library
The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

February the Seventeenth Blessings and Cursings
"He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings." --JOSHUA viii. 30-35. We are inclined to read only what pleases us, to hug the blessings and to ignore the warnings. We bask in the light, we close our eyes to the lightning. We recount the promises, we shut our ears to the rebukes. We love the passages which speak of our Master's gentleness, we turn away from those which reveal His severity. And all this is unwise, and therefore unhealthy. We become spiritually soft and anaemic. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Whether it is Lawful to Lay Ambushes in War?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful to lay ambushes in war. For it is written (Dt. 16:20): "Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." But ambushes, since they are a kind of deception, seem to pertain to injustice. Therefore it is unlawful to lay ambushes even in a just war. Objection 2: Further, ambushes and deception seem to be opposed to faithfulness even as lies are. But since we are bound to keep faith with all men, it is wrong to lie to anyone, as Augustine states (Contra …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Jesus in the Tomb.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, according to our manner of reckoning,[1] when Jesus expired. A Jewish law[2] forbade a corpse suspended on the cross to be left beyond the evening of the day of the execution. It is not probable that in the executions performed by the Romans this rule was observed; but as the next day was the Sabbath, and a Sabbath of peculiar solemnity, the Jews expressed to the Roman authorities[3] their desire that this holy day should not be profaned by such a spectacle.[4] …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Crucifixion.
Subdivision D. Jesus Found to Be Dead. His Body Buried and Guarded in the Tomb. ^A Matt. XXVII. 57-66; ^B Mark XV. 42-47; ^C Luke XXIII. 50-56; ^D John XIX. 31-42. ^d 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day ), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [According to rabbinical writing a few hours before the Sabbath were called the Preparation; …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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