Keraia
Joshua 22

Joshua 22:19

The Altar of Witness · Joshua 22:9–34
Read Joshua 22

Translations

Modern
If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God.
Traditional
Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord’s tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the Lord our God.
Literal
And nevertheless, if the land of your possession is unclean, then pass over to the land of the possession of YHWH, where the tabernacle of YHWH stands, and take possession in our midst. And against YHWH do not rebel, and against us do not rebel, by building for yourselves an altar besides the altar of YHWH our God.
Latin
Quod si putatis immundam esse terram possessionis vestræ, transite ad terram, in qua tabernaculum Domini est, et habitate inter nos: tantum ut a Domino et a nostro consortio non recedatis, ædificato altari præter altare Domini Dei nostri.

Original

Hebrew
English
If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God.

Notes

Joshua 22:19

  • Becoming ceremonially unclean did not always result from rebellion or a moral mistake. But it did stop people or groups from joining regular worship activities, including offering sacrifices. If the eastern tribes had made the land ceremonially unclean, the Israelites could not offer sacrifices to the Lord there. This concern gives evidence that the eastern tribes had built their altar on the western bank of the Jordan River.

  • The land west of the Jordan River was the LORD’s possession. The group of chiefs from the western tribes made a generous offer by inviting the eastern tribes to share their land. This showed their commitment to national unity and loyalty to God.

Joshua 22:15–20

The direct statements and questions of the group of ten chiefs guaranteed that God's anger did not fall on the nation because of rebellion, like Achan's incident or the event at Peor (7:1–15; Numbers 25).

Joshua 22:10–20

Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built their own altar, which caused a conflict with the rest of Israel.

Joshua 22:1–34

Joshua first said goodbye to the tribes east of the Jordan River when he sent them home. As usual, he urged them to remain loyal to God.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Altars

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Edh Gad, Tribe of Joshua, Book of Manasseh, Tribe of Phinehas Shiloh Tribe of Dan Witness, Altar of

Topics

Church: Tabernacle Fear of God: The Nine and One-Half Tribes of Israel West of the Jordan River Government: Executive officers of Tribes and Cities Haste in Judgment, by Moses and the Israelites Misjudgment of the Reubenites and Gadites Motive: Misunderstood: when They Built the Memorial Phinehas: Sent Prudence: The Israelites, in the Threatened War with the Two and One-Half Tribes Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Instituted Worship Rebellion Against God: Forbidden Religious Zeal in Punishing Evil People: Israelites Reproof: Faithfulness in Israelites, of the Two and One-Half Tribes Reubenites: Unite with the Other Tribes in Building a Monument Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Lord the Tribe of Gad: Assisted in Building the Altar of Witness Which Excited The the Tribe of Reuben: Assisted in Building the Altar of Witness Which offended The Uncharitableness: The Tribes West of the Jordan River Toward the Two and a Half Tribes War: Averted War: Counsels of