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Joshua 22:9-19

Listen to Joshua 22:9-19
9 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe * of Manasseh returned home and departed from the sons of Israel at Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the 1land of Gilead, to the land of their possession which they had possessed, according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

The Offensive Altar

10 When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe * of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a large altar in appearance.
11 And the sons of Israel heard it said, "Behold, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe * of Manasseh have 2built an altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region of the Jordan, on the side belonging to the sons of Israel."
12 When the sons of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the sons of Israel gathered themselves at 3Shiloh to go up against them in war.
13 Then the sons of Israel sent to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe * of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, 4Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14 and with him ten chiefs, one chief for each father's household from each of the tribes of Israel; and 5each one of them was the head of his father's household among the thousands of Israel.
15 They came to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe * of Manasseh, to the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them saying,
16 "Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, 'What is this unfaithful act which you have committed against the God of Israel, turning away from following the LORD this day, by 6building yourselves an altar, to rebel against the LORD this day?
17 'Is not 7the iniquity of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, although a plague came on the congregation of the LORD,
18 that you must turn away this day from following the LORD? If you rebel against the LORD today, 8He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel tomorrow.
19 'If, however, the land of your possession is unclean, then cross into the land of the possession of the LORD, where * the LORD'S tabernacle stands, and take possession among us. Only do not rebel against the LORD, or rebel against us by 9building an altar for yourselves, besides * the altar of the LORD our God.

Joshua 22:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 22

The war with the Canaanites being ended, Joshua called to him the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, who came over Jordan with him to assist in it, and commended them for their obedience to Moses and to himself, and to God by them; and then dismissed them, with some instructions to keep the ways and worship of God, and with his blessing upon them, Jos 22:1-8; upon which they returned to their country, and when they came to the borders of it set up an altar by Jordan, Jos 22:9,10; which, when the children of Israel heard of, it gave them great offence, they fearing they were going to make a revolt from the pure worship of God, and therefore sent a deputation of princes to them, with the son of the high priest, to inquire into the matter, and expostulate with them about it, who did, Jos 22:11-20; and who received from them a very satisfactory answer, Jos 22:21-31; with which they returned and reported to the children of Israel, and which gave them pleasure, Jos 22:32-34.

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Cross References 9

  • 1. Num 32:1, 26, 29
  • 2. Deuteronomy 12:5; Joshua 22:19
  • 3. Joshua 18:1
  • 4. Numbers 25:7, 11; Numbers 31:6
  • 5. Numbers 1:4
  • 6. Joshua 22:11
  • 7. Numbers 25:1-9
  • 8. Numbers 16:22
  • 9. Joshua 22:11

Footnotes 8

  • [a] Lit "mouth"
  • [b] Lit "by the hand of"
  • [c] Lit "saying"
  • [d] Lit "front"
  • [e] Or "families"
  • [f] Lit "little for us"
  • [g] Lit "cross for yourselves"
  • [h] Lit "abides"
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org

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