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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Joshua 8:30 - 8:30
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Then, to wit, after the taking of Ai. For they were obliged to do this when they were brought over Jordan into the land of Canaan, Deu_11:29 27:2,3, which is not to be understood strictly, as if it were to be done the same moment or day; for it is manifest they were first to be circumcised, and to eat the passover, which they did, and which was the work of some days; but as soon as they had opportunity to do it, which was now when these two great frontier cities were taken and destroyed, and thereby the coast cleared, and the bordering people under great consternation and confusion, that all the Israelites might securely march thither. And indeed this work was fit to be done as soon as might be, that thereby they might renew their covenant with, and profess their subjection to, that God by whose help alone they could expect success in their great and difficult enterprise.
Built an altar, to wit, for the offering of sacrifices, as appears from the following verse, and from Deu_27:5-7.
In Mount Ebal. Why not on Mount Gerizim also?
Answ. Because God’s altar was to be but in one place, Deu_12:13,14, and this place was appointed to be Mount Ebal, Deu_27:4,5, which also seems most proper for it, that in that place whence the curses of the law were denounced against sinners, there might also be the tokens and means of grace, and peace and reconciliation with God, for the removing of the curses, and the procuring of God’s blessing unto sinners.