Joshua 8:35
“There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua didn’t read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who were among them.”
What does Joshua 8:35 mean?
After Israel's victory at Ai, Joshua gathered everyone—men, women, children, and non-Israelites living among them—to hear the law read aloud. This was fulfilling Moses' instruction that God's words be known to the entire community, not just the leaders or the strongest members. By including women, children, and foreigners, Joshua ensured that everyone shared in understanding God's covenant and their common purpose together. This moment shows something beautiful about how the Israelites understood belonging: you didn't have to be born into the community to be part of hearing God's direction for it. Whether you were young, female, or a foreigner, you got to hear the same words and stand together under the same covenant. It's a reminder that God's instructions were meant for the whole people, and that all of them mattered.