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.

Joshua 24 includes a report of a covenant renewal ceremony that is introduced by a narrative call to assemble (24:1) and concludes with a narrative about witnesses to th…