The large stone which Joshua placed under the tree was to serve as a witness against the Israelites, to remind them of their promise. In graphic language, Joshua says that the stone has heard all the words that the LORD has spoken to us.

This stone will be our witness is literally “Behold, this stone will be a witness against us” (Revised Standard Version). Good News Translation deletes “against us” since it is included in the form against you later in this verse. The effect of “behold” (used here for emphasis, see Revised Standard Version) may be achieved if this part of the verse is translated, “Take a close look at this stone! It has heard everything that the LORD has said to us.” In this way the noun witness can be avoided, since in some languages the choice of the term will imply either an accusing witness or a defending witness, but not both. If a choice must be made, the context favors the meaning of an accusing witness.

Rebelling translates a Hebrew verb which may mean “deal falsely with” (see Revised Standard Version); “deceive” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible); “deny” (New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible); “renounce” (New English Bible). This last sentence of the verse may also be rendered in such a manner as to avoid the use of the noun “witness.” For example, “It is here to remind you not to rebel against our God.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .