Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.” New Living Translation Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.” English Standard Version And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” Berean Standard Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.” Berean Literal Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be to us a witness, for it has heard all the words of YHWH that He spoke to us. And it will be for a witness against you?, lest you? deny your? God.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. It shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God.” New American Standard Bible Then Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, because it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; so it shall be a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.” NASB 1995 Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.” NASB 1977 And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God.” Legacy Standard Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of Yahweh which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God.” Amplified Bible Joshua then said to all the people, “Look, this stone shall serve as a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; so it shall be a witness against you, so that [afterward] you do not deny your God.” Berean Annotated Bible And Joshua (YHWH saves) said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD {YHWH} has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you? if you? ever deny your? God {Elohim}. Christian Standard Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone—it will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD said to us, and it will be a witness against you, so that you will not deny your God.” Holman Christian Standard Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone—it will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD said to us, and it will be a witness against you, so that you will not deny your God.” American Standard Version And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of Jehovah which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God. Contemporary English Version and told the people, "Look at this stone. It has heard everything that the LORD has said to us. Our God can call this stone as a witness if we ever reject him." English Revised Version And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God. GOD'S WORD® Translation Joshua told all the people, "This stone will stand as a witness for us. It has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It will stand as a witness for you. You cannot deceive your God." Good News Translation He said to all the people, "This stone will be our witness. It has heard all the words that the LORD has spoken to us. So it will be a witness against you, to keep you from rebelling against your God." International Standard Version and then told all of the people, "Look! This stone will testify for us, because it has heard everything that the LORD has spoken to us. So it will stand as a witness against you in the event that you deny your God." NET Bible Joshua said to all the people, "Look, this stone will be a witness against you, for it has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness against you if you deny your God." New Heart English Bible Joshua said to all the people, "Look, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God." Webster's Bible Translation And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us, it shall be therefore a witness to you, lest ye deny your God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.” World English Bible Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all Yahweh’s words which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Joshua says to all the people, “Behold, this stone is for a witness against us, for it has heard all the sayings of YHWH which He has spoken with us, and it has been for a witness against you, lest you lie against your God.” Berean Literal Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be to us a witness, for it has heard all the words of YHWH that He spoke to us. And it will be for a witness against you?, lest you? deny your? God.” Young's Literal Translation And Joshua saith unto all the people, 'Lo, this stone is against us for a witness, for it hath heard all the sayings of Jehovah which He hath spoken with us, and it hath been against you for a witness, lest ye lie against your God.' Smith's Literal Translation And Joshua will say to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be to us for a testimony, for it heard all the sayings of Jehovah which he spake with us: and it was to you for a testimony lest ye shall lie to your God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to all the people: Behold this stone shall be a testimony unto you, that it hath heard all the words of the Lord, which he hath spoken to you: lest perhaps hereafter you will deny it, and lie to the Lord your God. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to all the people, “Lo, this stone shall be to you as a testimony, which has heard all the words of the Lord that he has spoken to you, lest perhaps, afterward, you might choose to deny it, and to lie to the Lord your God.” New American Bible And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” New Revised Standard Version Joshua said to all the people, “See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joshua said to all the people. Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us; it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deal treacherously with the LORD your God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yeshua said to all the people: “Behold, this stone shall be to us a witness, because this has heard all of the words of LORD JEHOVAH that he spoke with us, and it shall be for yourselves a witness that you will not be false to LORD JEHOVAH your God” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joshua said unto all the people: 'Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke unto us; it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Joshua said to the people, Behold, this stone shall be among you for a witness, for it has heard all the words that have been spoken to it by the Lord; for he has spoken to you this day; and this stone shall be among you for a witness in the last days, whenever ye shall deal falsely with the Lord my God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Choose Whom You will Serve…26Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was near the sanctuary of the LORD. 27And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.” 28Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.… Cross References And Joshua said to all the people, Joshua 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said, Deuteronomy 31:11-13 when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. / Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Nehemiah 8:1-3 At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. / On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. / So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. “You see this stone. Joshua 4:6-7 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ / you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” Genesis 31:45-48 So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar, / and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. / Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. … 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.” It will be a witness against us, Joshua 22:27-28 Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’ / Therefore we said, ‘If they ever say this to us or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the altar of the LORD that our fathers made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’ Deuteronomy 31:26 “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, Deuteronomy 5:27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.” Deuteronomy 4:12 And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice. Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” and it will be a witness against you Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, Deuteronomy 31:28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. if you ever deny your God.” 2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. Deuteronomy 8:19-20 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. / Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God. Treasury of Scripture And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us: it shall be therefore a witness to you, lest you deny your God. Joshua 22:27,28,34 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD… Genesis 31:44-52 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee… Deuteronomy 4:26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. it hath Deuteronomy 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Isaiah 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Habakkuk 2:11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. deny Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Jump to Previous Deal Deny Heard Joshua Stone Untrue Witness WordsJump to Next Deal Deny Heard Joshua Stone Untrue Witness WordsJoshua 24 1. Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem2. A brief history of God's benefits from Terah 14. He renews the covenant between them and God 26. A stone the witness of the covenant 29. Joshua's age, death, and burial 32. Joseph's bones are buried 33. Eleazar dies And Joshua said to all the people, This phrase indicates Joshua's role as a leader and mediator between God and the Israelites. Joshua, as Moses' successor, is addressing the entire assembly of Israel, emphasizing the communal nature of the covenant. This setting is reminiscent of other covenant renewals in the Old Testament, such as those led by Moses. “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.” Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, who guided the Israelites into the Promised Land and led them in renewing their covenant with God. 2. The Israelites The people of God who are gathered to renew their covenant with the LORD at Shechem. 3. The Stone A physical monument set up by Joshua to serve as a witness to the covenant between God and the Israelites. 4. Shechem The location where the covenant renewal ceremony took place, a significant site in Israel's history. 5. The LORD The God of Israel, who has spoken to His people and established a covenant with them. Teaching Points The Importance of RemindersPhysical reminders, like the stone, help us remember our commitments to God and His faithfulness to us. Witnesses to Our Faith Just as the stone was a witness, our lives and actions serve as witnesses to our faith in God. Covenant Renewal Regularly renewing our commitment to God is vital for maintaining a strong relationship with Him. Accountability The stone serves as a reminder that we are accountable to God for our actions and promises. The Power of God's Word The stone "heard" the words of the LORD, emphasizing the enduring power and presence of God's word in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 24:27?2. How does Joshua 24:27 emphasize the importance of remembering God's covenant with Israel? 3. What role does the stone play as a witness in Joshua 24:27? 4. How can we create reminders of God's faithfulness in our own lives today? 5. What other biblical instances use physical objects as witnesses to God's promises? 6. How does Joshua 24:27 encourage accountability in our relationship with God? 7. What does Joshua 24:27 mean by "this stone will be a witness against us"? 8. How does Joshua 24:27 emphasize the importance of covenant in the Bible? 9. Why is a stone used as a witness in Joshua 24:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 24? 11. What is the significance of Mount Ebal? 12. What are Stones of Remembrance? 13. How does Joshua's altar-building on Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35) align with other historical records of Canaanite territory? 14. What does 'We will serve the Lord' mean? What Does Joshua 24:27 Mean And Joshua said to all the peopleJoshua gathers “all the people” (Joshua 24:1) because covenant commitment is never private. • Earlier, Moses summoned “all of you” to stand in covenant (Deuteronomy 29:10-12), reminding us that every generation must personally affirm the Lord’s rule. • In Acts 3:12 Peter likewise addresses “Men of Israel,” showing that public proclamation follows God’s pattern. Joshua’s address underscores that no one in the community can claim ignorance of what is about to be agreed upon. You see this stone Joshua points to a visible, tangible object. • Israel had already set stones from the Jordan as a memorial so “all the peoples of the earth may know” (Joshua 4:5-7). • Jacob and Laban piled stones as a witness (Genesis 31:45-48). • Samuel later sets up Ebenezer saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). In each case, God’s people use ordinary materials to mark extraordinary moments, turning everyday objects into continual reminders of divine faithfulness. It will be a witness against us By calling the stone a witness, Joshua taps into a legal framework: witnesses confirm facts and enforce accountability. • Moses placed “this book of the law” beside the ark “as a witness against you” (Deuteronomy 31:26-29). • Even creation bears witness; the moon is described as “a faithful witness in the sky” (Psalm 89:37). When believers set up memorials, they invite God’s own courtroom standard into daily life, acknowledging that His testimony overrules ours. for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us Joshua personifies the stone, yet Scripture often invites creation to participate in covenant drama. • “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak” (Deuteronomy 32:1). • “Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth” (Isaiah 1:2). • Jesus said that if the disciples kept silent, “the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). By faith we accept that the physical world, created by God’s word (Genesis 1), stands ready to affirm that word whenever human hearts drift toward forgetfulness. and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God. The warning is as clear as the promise. • Moses cautioned, “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 4:23-27). • The angel at Bochim later rebukes Israel for covenant breach (Judges 2:2-3). • In the New Testament, Paul warns, “If we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12), and Hebrews adds, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (Hebrews 12:25). The stone therefore stands both as comfort when we obey and indictment when we rebel, reinforcing that God’s covenant is irrevocably binding. summary Joshua 24:27 establishes a solemn memorial that turns a simple stone into a courtroom witness. By assembling the whole community, pointing to a visible marker, invoking legal language, appealing to creation’s testimony, and issuing a sober warning, Joshua impresses on Israel—and on us—that God’s covenant demands wholehearted, lifelong allegiance. The stone silently proclaims: the LORD has spoken, we have agreed, and heaven and earth stand ready to confirm every word. Verse 27. - A witness (see note on Joshua 22:27). For it hath heard. Joshua speaks by a poetical figure of the stone, as though it had intelligence. The stone was taken from the very place where they stood, and within earshot of the words which had been spoken. Thus it became a more forcible memorial of what had occurred than if it had been brought from far. Ye deny your God. To deny is to say that He is not. The Hebrew implies "to deny concerning Him," to contest the truth of what has been revealed of His essence, and to disparage or deny the great things He had done for His people. The whole scene must have been a striking one. The aged warrior, full of years and honours, venerable from his piety and courage and implicit obedience, addresses in the measured, perhaps tremulous, accents of age the representatives of the whole people he has led so long and so well. Around him are the ancient memories of his race. Here Abraham pitched his tent in his wanderings through Canaan. Here was the first altar built to the worship of the one true God of the land. Here Jacob had buried the teraphim, and solemnly engaged his household in the worship of the true God. Here was the second foothold the children of Abraham obtained in the promised land (see ver. 32), a foretaste of their future inheritance. The bare heights of Ebal soared above them on one side, the softer outlines of Gerizim rose above them on the other; and on their sides, the plaster fresh and the letters distinct and clear, were to be seen the blessings and the curses foretold of those who kept and those who broke the law. In the midst, Shechem, in a situation, as we have seen, of rare beauty, bore witness to the fulfilment of God's promise that the land of their inheritance should be "a good land," a "land flowing with milk and honey." No other place could combine so many solemn memories; none could more adequately remind them of the fulness of blessing God had in store for those who would obey His word; none could be fitter to impress upon them the duty of worshipping God, and Him alone. CHAPTER 24:29-33. JOSHUA'S DEATH AND BURIAL. - Hebrew And Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people, הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock “You see הִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! this הַזֹּאת֙ (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, stone. הָאֶ֤בֶן (hā·’e·ḇen) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 68: A stone It will be תִּֽהְיֶה־ (tih·yeh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a witness לְעֵדָ֔ה (lə·‘ê·ḏāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5713: Testimony, witness against us, בָּ֣נוּ (bā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction it הִ֣יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are has heard שָׁמְעָ֗ה (šā·mə·‘āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the words אִמְרֵ֣י (’im·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 561: Something said the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has spoken דִּבֶּ֖ר (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue to us, עִמָּ֑נוּ (‘im·mā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5973: With, equally with and it will be וְהָיְתָ֤ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a witness against you לְעֵדָ֔ה (lə·‘ê·ḏāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5713: Testimony, witness if you ever פֶּֽן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest deny תְּכַחֲשׁ֖וּן (tə·ḵa·ḥă·šūn) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 3584: To disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean your God.” בֵּאלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (bê·lō·hê·ḵem) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Joshua 24:27 NIVJoshua 24:27 NLT Joshua 24:27 ESV Joshua 24:27 NASB Joshua 24:27 KJV Joshua 24:27 BibleApps.com Joshua 24:27 Biblia Paralela Joshua 24:27 Chinese Bible Joshua 24:27 French Bible Joshua 24:27 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 24:27 Joshua said to all the people Behold (Josh. 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