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Joshua 23:2

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Joshua called for all Israel - There are four degrees of civil distinction mentioned here:

  1. זקנים zekenim, the elders or senate, the Princes of the tribes.
  • ראשים rashim or rashey aboth, the Chiefs or Heads of families.
  • שפטים shophetim, the Judges who interpreted and decided according to the law.
  • שטרים shoterim, the Officers, serjeants, etc., who executed the decisions of the judges.
  • Whether this assembly was held at Timnath-serah, where Joshua lived, or at Shiloh, where the ark was, or at Shechem, as in Joshua 24:1, we cannot tell. Some think that the meaning here, and that mentioned in Joshua 24:1, were the same, and if so, Shechem was the place of assembling; but it is more likely that the two chapters treat of two distinct assemblies, whether held at the same place or not.

    Albert Barnes
    Notes on the Whole Bible

    All Israel, and for their elders - Omit “and,” which is not in the Hebrew. The meaning is that Joshua summoned to him all Israel as represented by its elders, etc. Deuteronomy 1:15. This gathering probably took place at the tabernacle at Shiloh.

    Matthew Henry
    Concise Bible Commentary
    Joshua was old and dying, let them observe what he said now. He put them in mind of the great things God had done for them in his days. He exhorted them to be very courageous. Keep with care, do with diligence, and regard with sincerity what is written. Also, very cautiously to endeavour that the heathen idolatry may be forgotten, so that it may never be revived. It is sad that among Christians the names of the heathen gods are so commonly used, and made so familiar as they are. Joshua exhorts them to be very constant. There might be many things amiss among them, but they had not forsaken the Lord their God; the way to make people better, is to make the best of them.