And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.
This religious solemnity of which we have here an account comes in somewhat surprisingly in the midst of the history of the wars of Canaan. After the taking of Jericho and Ai, we should have expected that the next news would be of their taking possession of the country, the pushing on of their victories in other cities, and the carrying of the war into...
Commenting on Joshua 8:30-35
And afterwards he read all the words of the law,.... Not the whole Pentateuch, nor the whole book of Deuteronomy, but either some parts of it, the decalogue, or whatsoever he had written on the stones, and as follows: the blessings and cursings, according to all that was written in the book of the law; Deu 27:14; See Gill on Deu 27:11.
afterward he read all the words of the law--caused the priests or Levites to read it (Deu 27:14). Persons are often said in Scripture to do that which they only command to be done.