¹ tn Normally the Hiphil of שָׁבַע (shava’) has a causative sense (“make [someone] take an oath”; see Josh 2:17, 20), but here (see also Josh 23:7) no object is stated or implied. If Joshua is calling divine judgment down upon the one who attempts to rebuild Jericho, then “make a solemn appeal [to God as judge]” or “pronounce a curse” would be an appropriate translation. However, the tone seems stronger. Joshua appears to be announcing the certain punishment of the violator. 1 Kgs 16:34, which records the fulfillment of Joshua’s prediction, supports this. Casting Joshua in a prophetic role, it refers to Joshua’s statement as the “word of the Lord” spoken through Joshua.

² tn Heb “rises up and builds.”

³ tc The LXX omits “Jericho.” It is probably a scribal addition.

⁴ tn The Hebrew phrase אָרוּר לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (’arur lifney yÿhvah, “cursed [i.e., condemned] before the Lord”) also occurs in 1 Sam 26:19.

⁵ tn Heb “With his firstborn he will lay its foundations and with his youngest he will erect its gates.” The Hebrew verb יַצִּיב (yatsiv, “he will erect”) is imperfect, not jussive, suggesting Joshua’s statement is a prediction, not an imprecation.

⁶ tn Heb “as it is written in the scroll of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones on which no one had wielded iron.” The expression “whole stones” refers to stones in their natural condition, i.e., not carved or shaped artificially with tools (“wielded iron”).

⁷ tn Or “peace offerings.”

⁸ tn Heb “the leaders of the fathers of the tribes.”

⁹ tn Heb “at the entrance of the tent of assembly.”

sn On the tent of meeting see Exod 33:7-11.

¹⁰ tn Heb “has given rest to your brothers.”

¹¹ tn Heb “tents.”

¹² tn Heb “the land of your possession.”

¹³ tn The words “such a thing” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

¹⁴ tn Heb “fathers.”

¹⁵ tn Heb “but it is a witness between us and you.”

¹⁶ tn Heb “go the way of all the earth.”

¹⁷ tn Or “soul.”

¹⁸ tn Heb “one word from all these words which the Lord your God spoke to you has not fallen, the whole has come to pass for you, one word from it has not fallen.”

¹⁹ tn Heb “and it will be as every good word which the Lord your God spoke to you has come to pass.”

²⁰ tn Heb “so the Lord will bring every injurious [or “evil”] word [or “thing”] upon you.”

²¹ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the fathers) has been specified in the translation for clarity (see the previous verse).

²² tn Or “put darkness between you and the Egyptians.”

²³ tn Heb “and he brought over them the sea and covered them.”

²⁴ tn Heb “your eyes saw.”

²⁵ tn Heb “many days.”