Pentecost Season · Proper 27 · Year A
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
The Covenant Renewed at Shechem
November 8, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Covenant Renewal Ceremony at Shechem: 24:1–13 Joshua assembles representatives of the western tribes at Shechem. The chapter parallels the farewell address in Joshua 23. The farewell address anticipates Joshua’s death, and Joshua 24 describes it. This chapter gives no indication of its compositional history, and scholars disagree on its origin or use in the worship of Israel. The ceremony may reflect an early covenant renewal liturgy at Shechem (see Deut. 11:29–32; 27:1–26; reported in Josh. 8:30–35). Joshua’s reported message in Joshua 22:1–6 summarizes a similar covenant ceremony for the eastern tribes, perhaps at Shiloh.
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Commentary
Commentary on Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Year A reading by a named seminary scholar.
Joshua 24 - Israel Renews the Covenant Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of Joshua's charge and the people's pledge to serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the assembly at Shechem and the covenant.
Joshua 24:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Joshua 24 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Joshua 24 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
The Hebrew of the covenant renewal alongside English with linked Jewish commentary.
Joshua 24:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the word for serve.
Book of Joshua Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Joshua that frames the entry into the land and the closing covenant.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the covenant at Shechem?
Joshua rehearses God’s faithfulness and calls Israel to decide whom they will serve; the people renew the covenant to serve the Lord alone (Joshua 24). It is a classic call to wholehearted commitment.
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