33. Now therefore put away — the strange gods] These are the very same words, which Jacob used to his household, when he suspected them of idolatry, Gen. xxxv. 2; although none was openly practised among them. Bp. Patrick. Joshua knew, by Divine inspiration, what was the inward disposition of the people, and their secret affection to idols; and that some amongst them worshipped false gods in private. Dr. Wells. 35. So Joshua made a covenant &c.] So Joshua renewed the covenant by which the Israelites had before bound themselves, both in the time of Moses, and in his time: and "he set before them a statute," that is, he read, or ordered to be read unto them the several precepts of the law, which were the conditions of the covenant then renewed. Dr. Wells.