Joshua 8:33 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →All Israel, native-born and stranger alike, assembles around the ark between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, as Moses had commanded, for the blessing of the people.
What Does Joshua 8:33 Mean?
The whole nation gathers for a solemn covenant ceremony exactly as Moses had prescribed. Half the people stand before Mount Gerizim, the mount of blessing, and half before Mount Ebal, with the ark and the Levitical priests in the center. Leaders and common people, and notably "the stranger, as he that was born among them," all take their appointed places.
It is striking that the foreigner stands among the people of God, included in the covenant assembly. From the beginning God's purpose reached beyond one nation to all who would join themselves to Him. This points forward to the gathering of every people into one family through Christ, in whom there is no longer stranger and native-born but one people of God. The covenant was always meant to open its arms wide.
Joshua 8:33 in the Original Language
ger (גֵּר), 'stranger' -- a foreigner who dwells among Israel, here received within the covenant assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 8:33
What does Joshua 8:33 mean?
All Israel, native-born and stranger alike, assembles around the ark between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, as Moses had commanded, for the blessing of the people.