Where did Joshua deliver his farewell address to the Israelites?

Answer Details

Joshua delivered his farewell address at Shechem, as recorded in Joshua 24:1. The text states: "Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel."

Shechem held deep significance in Israel's history. It was the place where God first appeared to Abraham when he entered Canaan and where Abraham built his first altar (Genesis 12:6-7). It was also where Jacob purchased land and built an altar (Genesis 33:18-20). By choosing Shechem for his farewell address, Joshua connected the people to their covenant history with God.

In this address, Joshua reviewed God's faithfulness from Abraham's time through the conquest of Canaan, and he challenged the Israelites with the famous declaration: "Choose this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). The people renewed their covenant with God at Shechem that day.

Egypt was the land of Israel's former slavery. Antioch was a city prominent in the New Testament period. Jerusalem, while eventually becoming Israel's capital under David, was not the location of Joshua's farewell.