Joshua 22:19-29

19 However, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass over to the land of the possession of the LORD, in which the LORD's tent dwells, and take possession among us: but don't rebel against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar besides the altar of the LORD our God.

20 Didn't `Akhan the son of Zerach commit a trespass in the devoted thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Yisra'el? and that man didn't perish alone in his iniquity.

21 Then the children of Re'uven and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Menashsheh answered, and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Yisra'el,

22 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, the Mighty One, God, the LORD, he knows; and Yisra'el he shall know: if it be in rebellion, or if in trespass against the LORD (don't save us this day,)

23 that we have built us an altar to turn away from following the LORD; or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meal-offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace-offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;

24 and if we have not [rather] out of carefulness done this, [and] of purpose, saying, In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Yisra'el?

25 for the LORD has made the Yarden a border between us and you, you children of Re'uven and children of Gad; you have no portion in the LORD: so might your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:

27 but it shall be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings; that your children may not tell our children in time to come, You have no portion in the LORD.

28 Therefore said we, It shall be, when they so tell us or to our generations in time to come, that we shall say, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice; but it is a witness between us and you.

29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn away this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for meal-offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tent.

Joshua 22:19-29 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.