Joshua 8:28-35
mound <08510> [an heap.]
day <03117> [unto this day.]
king <04428> [the king.]
The kings of Canaan lay under the same curse as their subjects and probably were more deeply criminal. The reserving of the king of Ai for a solemn execution, would tend to strike terror into the other kings, contribute to the success of Israel, and give their proceedings the stamp of a judicial process, and of executing the vengeance of God upon his enemies.
sunset <08121> [as soon.]
large pile <01530 01419> [a great heap.]
built ... altar <01129 04196> [built an altar.]
Mount Ebal <02022 05858> [in mount Ebal.]
Moses himself had twice given express orders for this solemnity; once De 11:29, 30, in which he pointed out the very place where it was to be performed; and again, at the 27th chapter, there is a renewal of the instructions to Joshua, with special reference to minute particulars. It was a federal transaction: the covenant was now renewed between God and Israel upon their taking possession of the land of promise, that they might be encouraged in the conquest of it, and might know upon what terms they held it, and come under fresh obligations to obedience.
described <03789> [as it is.]
it <04196> [altar.]
offered <05927> [and they offered.]
people <03478> [all Israel.]
priests <03548> [priests.]
resident foreigners <01616> [stranger.]
Moses <04872> [Moses.]
read <07121> [he read.]
blessings <01293> [blessings.]
commandment <01697> [was not.]
women <0802> [women.]
resident foreigners <01616> [strangers.]
lived <01980> [were. Heb. walked. conversant.]
The word conversant, from the Latin {conversor,} is here used in the classical sense of having intercourse with.