Archaeologists working at the site of the ancient city of Shechem believe they have discovered the large stone or Massabah that Joshua ordered to be set up as part of Israel’s covenant to Jehovah:

25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. ²⁶ And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God; and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the Lord.” (Joshua 24:25-26 NASV)

As noted in this passage, the stone was set up under an oak, near the “sanctuary of the Lord.”

During their work at Shechem, archaeologists found a large limestone rock located in the courtyard of an ancient temple, the Temple of Baal-berith, which is mentioned in Judges 9:4, 46.

The temple was 86 feet (ca. 26 m) long and 70 feet (ca. 21 m) wide and its foundation wall was 17 feet (ca. 5 m) thick. It also had two large towers at its entrance.

The massive stone, which is now broken, was thought to have stood nearly 6.6 feet (ca. 2 m) tall and was discovered in the courtyard in front of the entrance to the temple.

It is believed that this temple was probably taken over by Israel when they conquered the Promised Land and turned it into a “Sanctuary of the Lord.” This is probably the very stone that Joshua ordered to be set up at the site.

It would have been the same stone or pillar where Abimelech was crowned king mentioned in Judges 9:6. We are also told that Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, went to Shechem to be anointed king on his father’s death (1 Kings 12:1). Though not specifically mentioned, it may have been done by this stone.

READ: Top Ten Discoveries Related to Joshua and the Conquest AND The sacred standing stone at Shechem