King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:27 Mean?

Joshua 24:27 in the King James Version says “And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of t... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 24:27 · KJV


Context

25

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

26

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.

27

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.

28

So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.

29

And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Joshua personifies the stone: it hath heard (shamea, שָׁמְעָה). Though inanimate, the stone 'testifies' by its presence. It shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God—the monument prevents covenant amnesia.

Creation bears witness to God (Psalm 19:1-4, Romans 1:20). Even stones can 'cry out' (Luke 19:40). Joshua's logic: if a stone remembers, how much more should living people? This witness stands lest ye deny (pen tekachashun, פֶּן תְּכַחֲשׁוּן, 'lest you deceive/lie to') God—apostasy equals lying to the One who saved you.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Personifying witness-stones was common in ancient Near Eastern treaties. Hittite and Assyrian treaties invoked gods and natural elements as witnesses. Israel adapts this: not pagan gods but the true God, with creation as His witness stand. The stone stood for centuries, possibly until the Assyrian conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. What created things 'testify' to God's reality and your covenant obligations?
  2. How do physical reminders of past commitments help prevent future compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ2 of 27

And Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל4 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֗ם5 of 27

unto all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הִנֵּ֨ה6 of 27
H2009

lo!

הָאֶ֤בֶן7 of 27

Behold this stone

H68

a stone

הַזֹּאת֙8 of 27
H2063

this (often used adverb)

תִּֽהְיֶה9 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָּ֣נוּ10 of 27
H0
לְעֵדָ֔ה11 of 27

shall be a witness

H5713

testimony

כִּֽי12 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִ֣יא13 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה14 of 27

unto us for it hath heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵ֚ת15 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל16 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִמְרֵ֣י17 of 27

all the words

H561

something said

יְהוָ֔ה18 of 27

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֖ר20 of 27

which he spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עִמָּ֑נוּ21 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה22 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָכֶם֙23 of 27
H0
לְעֵדָ֔ה24 of 27

shall be a witness

H5713

testimony

פֶּֽן25 of 27
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תְּכַחֲשׁ֖וּן26 of 27

unto you lest ye deny

H3584

to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)

בֵּאלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃27 of 27

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 24:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 24:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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