The Eastern Tribes' Altar and the Reconciliation
Joshua 22:1-34
Jos.22.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- יקרא: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לראובני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולגדי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולחצי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מטה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1–5 (thematic): The initial request of the Reubenites and Gadites to settle on the east side of the Jordan—background for their distinct status mentioned in Joshua 22:1.
- Numbers 32:33 (structural): Record of Moses giving the land of Gilead to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—formal allocation that explains their settlement east of Jordan.
- Deuteronomy 3:12–13 (thematic): Description of the territory (Gilead and half of Manasseh) assigned to these tribes, providing the territorial context for their appearance in Joshua 22:1.
- Joshua 1:12–18 (verbal): Joshua’s earlier address and charge to the Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh—closely related material in which Joshua speaks directly to these same tribes and instructs their participation in the conquest.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
- Then Joshua called for the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Jos.22.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- שמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותשמעו: VERB,qal,yiqtol,2,m,pl
- בקולי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- לכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Josh.1.7-8 (verbal): Joshua 1:7-8 commands the people to 'observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you' — same wording and emphasis on obeying Moses' instructions and keeping the law.
- Exod.24.7 (quotation): After the covenant, the people declare 'All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do,' paralleling the affirmation that they 'kept all that Moses commanded' and 'obeyed my voice.'
- Deut.5.32 (verbal): Deuteronomy 5:32 uses the formula 'You shall observe to do' the LORD's commands — a recurring legal/ethical formula that underlies Joshua's commendation of obedience to Moses.
- Josh.22.5 (structural): The immediate context: Joshua charges the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh to 'take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law,' reinforcing and continuing the theme of faithful obedience just affirmed in v.2.
- Josh.24.31 (thematic): Joshua 24:31 summarizes Israel's faithful service to the LORD in the days of Joshua and the elders — a thematic consequence/result of keeping Moses' commands as praised in Josh 22:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in everything I commanded you.
- He said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you.”},{
Jos.22.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- עזבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אחיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ושמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 1:16-18 (structural): The eastern tribes’ earlier pledge to remain with their Israelite kinsmen until they had rest—same narrative promise not to abandon their brothers.
- Joshua 22:4-5 (verbal): Immediate context: reiterates the promise and uses similar language about keeping the charge/commandments of the LORD before returning home.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (verbal): Command to be careful to obey the Book of the Law to prosper and succeed echoes the formulaic call to ‘keep’ God’s commandments cited in Joshua 22:3.
- Joshua 23:6-11 (verbal): Joshua’s later charge to ‘be very strong’ and to keep all that is written in the law parallels the theme and wording of faithful observance of the commandments.
Alternative generated candidates
- You did not abandon your brothers these many days until this day; you have kept the charge, the commandment of the LORD your God.
- You did not abandon your brothers these many days up to this day; you have kept the charge of the commandments of the LORD your God.
Jos.22.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- הניח: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- לאחיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+SUF,2,m,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ועתה: CONJ
- פנו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ולכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לאהליכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,suff,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחזתכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,+2mp
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 1:15 (verbal): Almost identical wording and instruction: the Transjordan tribes are told to return to their tents and to the land given them beyond the Jordan once the LORD has given rest to their brethren.
- Joshua 1:12-14 (structural): Earlier charge to Reuben, Gad, and the half‑tribe of Manasseh (echoing Moses’ command) about leaving families and possessions until Israel obtains rest — the same situation and command structure reappears in 22:4.
- Numbers 32:20-22 (thematic): Moses’ conditional settlement arrangement with the Transjordan tribes: they may possess land on that side of Jordan provided they assist their brethren in conquest and remain faithful — parallels the settlement/return motif and covenantal concern.
- Joshua 21:43-45 (thematic): Summary of God’s fulfillment in giving Israel the land and rest as promised; echoes the declaration that the LORD has given rest to the people and fulfilled the grant of territory.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. So now return and go to your tents and to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.
- And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he spoke to them; now therefore turn and go to your tents, to the land of your possession that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.
Jos.22.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- שמרו: VERB,qal,imper,2,m,pl
- מאד: ADV
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- המצוה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאהבה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- וללכת: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דרכיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3ms
- ולשמר: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- מצותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ולדבקה: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולעבדו: VERB,qal,infinitive,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבכם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפשכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 11:22 (verbal): Commands to keep the commandments, to love the LORD your God and to walk in his ways echo here—close verbal and thematic correspondence with Joshua's exhortation.
- Deuteronomy 30:20 (verbal): Shares the key triad 'love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and cleave unto him,' language paralleled almost word-for-word in Joshua 22:5.
- Joshua 23:11 (structural): Within the same book Joshua repeats the same exhortation to 'take diligent heed' and to love and serve the LORD—structural parallel and reinforcement of the same covenantal charge.
- 1 Kings 2:3 (thematic): Solomon is charged to 'walk in his ways' and 'keep his statutes and commandments,' reflecting the same call to covenant fidelity and wholehearted service found in Joshua 22:5.
- Matthew 22:37 (allusion): Jesus' command to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…' echoes the Hebrew Bible's summons in Joshua 22:5 to love and serve God with whole heart and soul.
Alternative generated candidates
- Only be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
- Only take careful heed to do the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to cling to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Jos.22.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויברכם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלחם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf_wq,3,m,sg;obj=3,m,pl
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אהליהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 22:5 (verbal): Immediate context: Joshua commissions, blesses, and sends the Transjordanian tribes—very similar wording and action to 22:6.
- Joshua 1:13-15 (structural): Earlier instruction concerning the eastern tribes returning to their homes across the Jordan after aiding in conquest; parallels the sending/return-home motif.
- Judges 2:6-7 (structural): After Joshua's death Israel is 'dismissed' and people go to their inheritances/tents—same structural sequence of dismissal and return to homes.
- 1 Samuel 25:35-36 (thematic): David blesses Abigail and sends her away to her house—echoes the paired acts of blessing and sending someone back to their home.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.
- So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.
Jos.22.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולחצי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המנשה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבשן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולחציו: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ימה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- כי: CONJ
- שלחם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,obj:3,m,pl
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אהליהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויברכם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 32:33 (verbal): Reports the same allotment language: Moses gave Gilead (and the territory in Bashan) to the half-tribe of Manasseh and to the Reubenites/Gadites — directly parallel to the land-assignment affirmed in Joshua 22:7.
- Deuteronomy 3:13-14 (thematic): Describes the giving of Gilead and Bashan to Machir/Manasseh (and Jair’s towns), thematically paralleling Joshua’s note that half of Manasseh received territory in Bashan while the other half was on this side of Jordan.
- Joshua 13:29-31 (structural): Part of Joshua’s catalogue of tribal allotments that specifies the territorial division for Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Bashan vs. the west side), paralleling the geographic/tribal detail in 22:7.
- Joshua 1:12-15 (structural): Joshua’s instruction and exchange with the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-Manasseh (their pledge to help the conquest and his sending/blessing of them) parallels 22:7’s account of Joshua sending them away and blessing them.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the half-tribe of Manasseh, Moses had given in Bashan, and the other half Joshua gave with their brothers on this side of the Jordan; and when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them.
- Moses had given the half-tribe of Manasseh a possession in Bashan, and Joshua had given the other half with their brothers in the land of Canaan on this side of the Jordan; and when Joshua sent them to their tents he blessed them.
Jos.22.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- בנכסים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- שובו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- אל: NEG
- אהליכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2mp
- ובמקנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- בכסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובזהב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובנחשת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובברזל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובשלמות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- חלקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שלל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איביכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,pl,m
- עם: PREP
- אחיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 31:27-30 (structural): After victory over Midian the text addresses what was kept of the spoil and prescribes apportioning offerings and distributions—parallel procedure to dividing and assigning part of the enemy’s booty.
- 1 Samuel 30:18-24 (thematic): David’s recovery from the Amalekites leads to instructions for dividing the spoils so that those who fought and those who stayed share alike, echoing the command to give part of the spoil to one’s brothers.
- Exodus 12:35-36 (verbal): When Israel left Egypt they ‘plundered’ the Egyptians, taking silver and gold; parallels the motif of departing with great riches (silver and gold) taken from enemies.
- Joshua 11:14-15 (thematic): In an earlier Canaanite campaign Joshua’s forces take all the spoil and the cattle as prey—same book and military context where conquered goods become the soldiers’ wealth.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, “Return with much wealth, with very great spoil: with silver and gold, with bronze and iron, and with much cattle and goods; divide the plunder of your enemies with your brothers.”
- And he said to them, “Return to your tents with much spoil, with great booty—silver and gold, bronze and iron, and many valuable goods; divide the plunder of your enemies with your brothers.”
Jos.22.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וחצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המנשה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאת: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגלעד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחזתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נאחזו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1-5 (thematic): Records the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and half‑Manasseh) asking to settle east of the Jordan — the origin of their return to Gilead referenced in Joshua 22:9.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-13 (allusion): Moses' allotment of the land of Gilead to Reuben, Gad and half Manasseh explains the basis for their possession “according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.”
- Joshua 22:4 (verbal): An immediate parallel in the same chapter where Joshua blesses and sends the tribes back to their lands, using language about returning to their tents and possessions.
- Joshua 1:12-15 (structural): Joshua’s earlier charge to the eastern tribes to keep faith with the rest of Israel and then return home echoes the communal and covenantal context for their departure in 22:9.
- Numbers 32:22-27 (thematic): Moses’ conditions that the eastern tribes must first help their brothers conquer Canaan before settling permanently explains the movement and the covenantal rationale behind their return to Gilead.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned from the midst of the people of Israel, from the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead—to the land of their possession, which they had possessed according to the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
- So the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned from the people of Israel from the land of Canaan to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession, which they had taken possession of by the word of the LORD through Moses.
Jos.22.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- גלילות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וחצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המנשה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שם: ADV
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- למראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:5-14 (thematic): Commands centralized worship at the place the LORD chooses and warns against making independent altars and sacrifices elsewhere—background for why the eastern tribes' altar provokes Israel.
- Exodus 20:24 (verbal): Gives the basic law concerning making an altar of earth in the land the LORD gives — provides legal/ritual language and precedent for erecting altars on Canaanite soil.
- Genesis 31:47-52 (verbal): Jacob and Laban set up a heap/stone as a witness (Galeed/Mizpah) between them; parallels the eastern tribes' stated purpose of building an altar as a 'witness' between them and the other Israelites.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): Jeroboam's establishment of rival cult sites (calves and altars at Bethel and Dan) shows how construction of alternative altars can cause religious schism and is judged negatively—echoing the later controversy over the Jordanal altar.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they came to the districts of the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there a large, conspicuous altar by the Jordan—an altar of great appearance.
- And they came to the banks of the Jordan in the land of Canaan, and the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a large and conspicuous altar.
Jos.22.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הנה: PART
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וחצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המנשה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- מול: PREP
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- גלילות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1-5 (structural): Background narrative: Reuben and Gad (and half-Manasseh) request and receive permission to settle east of the Jordan, explaining why these tribes are on the Transjordan side in Joshua 22.
- Numbers 32:20-33 (thematic): Records the covenantal condition that these eastern tribes would assist in the conquest west of the Jordan before returning home—background to Israel’s later suspicion when a separate altar appears across the Jordan.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-14 (thematic): Law concerning centralized worship (one appointed place for sacrifices) that frames the Israelites’ concern about an altar built 'opposite' Canaan—raises the theological issue of unauthorized regional altars.
- 1 Kings 12:26-33 (thematic): Narrative of Jeroboam establishing alternative sanctuaries/altars (Bethel and Dan) to prevent pilgrimage to Jerusalem—serves as a later analogue of the danger and divisive potential of creating rival worship sites.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people of Israel heard, “Behold, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built a altar beside the Jordan, on the border of the land of Canaan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.”
- When the people of Israel heard it, they said, “Behold, the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar opposite the land of Canaan, on the bank of the Jordan, on the side belonging to the people of Israel.”
Jos.22.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקהלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלה: PRON,3,f,sg,gen
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לצבא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:11-13 (thematic): The whole congregation of Israel assembles as one to go out to war (against the tribe of Benjamin) after a serious internal crisis—paralleling Joshua 22’s mass mustering to march against the transgressing tribes.
- 1 Samuel 11:7-11 (thematic): Saul summons and arranges Israelite forces and the people assemble to fight the Ammonites; parallels the rapid mustering of the nation and movement to battle in Joshua 22.
- Exodus 17:9-13 (structural): Moses commands Joshua to choose men and go out to fight Amalek while the congregation watches—an earlier pattern of leaders mobilizing and the people preparing for armed conflict, analogous to the assembly in Joshua 22:12.
- 2 Samuel 24:2-9 (structural): David orders a numbering/mustering of Israel’s fighting men and mobilizes the host for military purposes; similar motif of the entire congregation being gathered and organized for war.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the people of Israel assembled all the congregation together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
- And the people of Israel heard, and all the congregation of the people of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh to go up in arms against them.
Jos.22.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגלעד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- פינחס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1-5 (thematic): Describes the original request by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to settle in Gilead (the land of Gilead/Gilgal east of the Jordan), providing the background for their presence in Joshua 22:13.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-13 (thematic): Records the allotment of the lands of Gilead and Bashan to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh—confirming the territorial claim referenced in Joshua 22:13.
- Numbers 25:7-13 (verbal): Identifies Phinehas son of Eleazar (the same priest sent in Joshua 22:13), recounting his zeal and the covenant of priesthood given to him—linking the individual named in Joshua 22:13 to earlier priestly actions and status.
- 1 Chronicles 5:18-22 (structural): Depicts the fighting men and settlement of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead and their military exploits—paralleling Joshua’s mention of these tribes inhabiting the land of Gilead.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people of Israel sent to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest,
- Then the people of Israel sent to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest.
Jos.22.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשרה: NUM,m,pl
- נשאים: PARTCP,pual,pass,m,pl
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- נשיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- נשיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- אב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- מטות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- לאלפי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 1:16 (verbal): Uses the same designation 'heads of the fathers' houses' (ראש בית־אבות) and lists tribal leaders appointed as representatives of their families, paralleling Joshua's naming of chiefs.
- Deuteronomy 1:15 (structural): Describes Moses' appointment of 'heads of your tribes' as chiefs over thousands and hundreds—paralleling the tribal leadership structure and the role of named leaders in Joshua 22:14.
- Joshua 4:4 (structural): Speaks of selecting one man from each tribe for a specific corporate task ('one man from each tribe'), echoing Joshua 22:14's formula of one leader per tribal household serving as the tribal representative.
- 1 Chronicles 12:23 (thematic): Lists the tribal chiefs and leaders who rallied to David, functioning as a catalogue of tribal heads similar to the enumeration of chiefs in Joshua 22:14 and reflecting the role of tribal leaders in Israelite assembly and decision-making.
Alternative generated candidates
- with ten chiefs, one chief for each tribe, each one the head of a father's house among the thousands of Israel—ten chiefs with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest.
- With him were ten princes, one prince from each tribe of Israel; every one was a head of his father's house among the thousands of Israel.
Jos.22.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגלעד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וידברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1-5 (verbal): Same three groups (Reuben, Gad, half‑tribe of Manasseh) approach the leadership to speak about land east of Jordan (Gilead); parallels the actors and the occasion of negotiation/communication.
- Numbers 32:34-42 (structural): Describes the actual settlement of Reuben, Gad and the half‑tribe of Manasseh in Gilead and their building of cities—background to why these tribes are located in the land of Gilead.
- Joshua 22:12-14 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the report that the eastern tribes built an altar, and the assembly of Israel at Shiloh—which precipitates the delegation ‘coming to’ the eastern tribes (v.15).
- Joshua 22:16-20 (verbal): Direct continuation: the speech the delegation delivers to the Reubenites, Gadites and half‑tribe of Manasseh—shows what the visitors say after they come (v.15 introduces this address).
- 1 Chronicles 5:10-17 (thematic): Genealogical/historical summary of Reuben, Gad and the half‑tribe of Manasseh dwelling in Gilead and their military activity—echoes the identity and Gilead setting of the groups in Joshua 22:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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 spoke with them, saying,
- And they came to the land of Gilead to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, and spoke with them, saying,
Jos.22.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- המעל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מעלתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,mp
- באלהי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשוב: INF,qal
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאחרי: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבנותכם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss2mp
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למרדכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss2mp
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:5-14 (thematic): Law demanding centralized worship at the place the LORD chooses; provides the legal/theological background for why building an altar elsewhere is treated as rebellion.
- Deuteronomy 13:6-11 (verbal): Uses similar language about 'turning away' after other gods and prescribes severe punishment for those who lead the community into apostasy—echoes the charge of turning away from YHWH.
- 1 Kings 12:26-33 (thematic): Jeroboam's establishment of rival shrines and altars to prevent people going to Jerusalem parallels the motif of constructing unauthorized cultic sites and is framed as political/religious rebellion.
- 2 Kings 17:29-33 (thematic): Description of mixed worship and the setting up of foreign cultic practices in Israel illustrates the consequences and communal danger of unauthorized altars and apostasy.
- Leviticus 26:30 (thematic): God's warning to destroy high places and altars as punishment for disobedience highlights the cultic illegitimacy and serious consequences of illicit altars—background to the charge of 'rebellion'.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Thus says all the congregation of the LORD: ‘What is this wickedness that you have committed, to turn away today from following the LORD by building yourselves a altar, to rebel against the LORD this day?
- “Thus says all the congregation of the LORD: What is this wickedness that you have committed, in turning away today from following the LORD by building yourselves an altar, to rebel today against the LORD?
Jos.22.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- המעט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הטהרנו: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הנגף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעדת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 25:1-9 (verbal): The primary narrative of the sin at Peor—Israelites consort with Moabite women, join Baal‑Peor, and a plague strikes the congregation; Joshua 22:17 alludes directly to this Peor incident and its plague.
- Psalm 106:28-30 (allusion): The psalm recounts Israel 'joining themselves to Baal of Peor' and the ensuing judgment, summarizing the same culpability and divine plague referenced in Joshua 22:17.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 (allusion): Paul explicitly cites the Peor episode as an example—sexual immorality led to death—thereby alluding to the same event and divine punishment mentioned in Joshua 22:17.
- Judges 2:11-15 (thematic): Describes Israel's idolatry after the conquest and the LORD's anger/punishment; thematically parallels the fear in Joshua 22 that idolatrous action could bring a plague on the congregation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Have the transgressions of Peor been a small matter, from which you have not been purified to this day, that the plague came upon the congregation of the LORD?
- Is the transgression of Peor too little for us, from which we have not been cleansed to this day, and will the plague befall the congregation of the LORD because of this?
Jos.22.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- תשבו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאחרי: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- תמרדו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- ומחר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יקצף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 16:41-50 (thematic): After Korah's rebellion the congregation rises against Moses and Aaron and faces God's judgment—parallels Joshua 22:18's concern about open rebellion and communal anger toward alleged transgressors.
- Exodus 32:1-10 (thematic): The golden calf episode shows Israel's quick turning to disobedience and the leaders' fear of widespread divine and communal wrath—echoing the theme of rebellion before the LORD and its potential to provoke the whole assembly.
- Numbers 14:11-12 (verbal): God's charge, 'How long will this people provoke me?' and the threat of destroying the people resonates with Joshua 22:18's conditional warning about rebelling against the LORD and provoking Israel.
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (structural): Deuteronomy prescribes communal action against a city that leads Israel into idolatry—paralleling Joshua 22's focus on communal response and the danger of actions that might provoke the whole congregation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now you have turned away from following the LORD, and you have mutinied against him this day. Tomorrow he will be angry with all the congregation of Israel.
- And now you are turning away from following the LORD; and it shall be that tomorrow all the congregation of Israel will be angry with you.
Jos.22.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואך: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- טמאה: ADJ,f,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחזתכם: NOUN,f,sg,cons,2mp
- עברו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחזת: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שכן: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- משכן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והאחזו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- בתוכנו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1p
- וביהוה: CONJ+PREP+PN,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תמרדו: VERB,qal,imprf,2,pl
- ואתנו: PREP,1,pl
- אל: NEG
- תמרדו: VERB,qal,imprf,2,pl
- בבנתכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,2mp
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבלעדי: PREP
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:5–7 (thematic): Commands centralizing worship at 'the place the LORD will choose' and instructs bringing offerings and dwelling there with the LORD, paralleling the injunction to possess the land where the Tabernacle stands rather than establishing another altar.
- Deuteronomy 12:13–14 (verbal): Warns Israelites not to offer burnt offerings 'in every place' but only at the chosen place; closely echoes Joshua's prohibition against building an altar besides the LORD's altar.
- Leviticus 17:8–9 (verbal): Requires that slaughtered sacrifices be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting (central sanctuary) and forbids offering blood elsewhere, reflecting the concern for centralized sacrificial worship expressed in Joshua 22:19.
- 1 Kings 12:26–33 (allusion): Narrates Jeroboam's establishment of rival sanctuaries and altars at Bethel and Dan to prevent worship at Jerusalem—an archetypal example of the very 'rebellion' Joshua fears when an alternate altar is built.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you acted because the land of your possession is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the tabernacle of the LORD dwells, and possess it among us; but do not rebel against the LORD and against us by making yourselves a altar besides the altar of the LORD our God.
- But if the land of your possession is unclean, then cross over to the land of the possession of the LORD, where the tabernacle of the LORD dwells, and take possession among us; only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not turn away from us to build an altar besides the altar of the LORD our God.
Jos.22.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- עכן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעל: PREP
- מעל: PREP
- בחרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- גוע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בעונו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Josh.7:1 (verbal): Introduces Achan son of Zerah's transgression and its effect on Israel (defeat after taking devoted things), the immediate background to Josh 22:20's reference to Achan.
- Josh.7:25-26 (quotation): Narrates the punishment of Achan—stoning and burning—and explicitly makes the point that his sin brought God's wrath on the whole congregation, matching the idea that he did not perish alone.
- Num.16:41-50 (thematic): Korah's rebellion brings a plague on the whole assembly; communal punishment for the sin of a subgroup and the need for ritual action to stop it parallels the collective wrath occasioned by Achan's sin.
- Deut.13:12-18 (structural): Law prescribing that a city must be destroyed when led into idolatry by individuals among them; provides a legal/structural precedent for communal sanctions when individual wrongdoing infects the community.
- Ezek.18:20 (thematic): Declares individual responsibility—'the soul who sins shall die'—offering a theological counterpoint to passages (like Josh 22:20) that emphasize communal suffering resulting from an individual's sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Was not Achan son of Zerah a transgressor in the accursed thing, and wrath came upon all Israel? He perished for his sin; he did not die alone.’”
- Did not Achan son of Zerah act unfaithfully in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on the congregation of Israel? He perished not alone in his sin.”
Jos.22.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וחצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המנשה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וידברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ראשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- אלפי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 32:5 (verbal): The Reubenites, Gadites and half‑tribe of Manasseh speak to Israel's leaders requesting land east of the Jordan — a similar instance of these tribes addressing the nation's leaders.
- Numbers 32:6-15 (thematic): Moses' rebuke and negotiation with these same tribes over their pledge to fight with Israel: another episode where they answer and justify their settlement choices to the leadership.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-13 (thematic): God's allotment of the Transjordan towns to Reuben, Gad and half‑Manasseh provides the background context for their dialogue with Israel's leaders about settling east of Jordan.
- Joshua 22:17 (verbal): Immediate continuation in the same episode: the Reubenites, Gadites and half‑tribe of Manasseh verbally respond to the charge about the altar, expanding on the reply indicated in 22:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the heads of the thousands of Israel.
- Then the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the heads of the thousands of Israel.
Jos.22.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- במרד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- במעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- אל: NEG
- תושיענו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (thematic): Affirms that God perceives the heart and motives rather than outward appearance—used similarly here to appeal to God's knowledge in judging conduct.
- Psalm 139:1-4 (thematic): Emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of a person's thoughts and actions; parallels the claim that the LORD Himself knows the truth of the matter.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): Uses the language of God searching and testing the heart/reins—closely echoes the idea that God alone knows hidden intent and will judge accordingly.
- 1 Kings 8:39 (verbal): Solomon's prayer declares that God alone knows human hearts; parallels the appeal to divine knowledge as the basis for verdict and vindication.
- Acts 15:8 (allusion): New Testament appeal to the same conviction—'God, who knows the heart,'—used to justify divine approval apart from external signs, echoing Joshua's reliance on God's knowledge.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said, “God, the God of gods, God, the God of gods, he knows; and Israel knows—if it is rebellion, or if it is treachery against the LORD, do not deliver us this day.
- “To God— the LORD— to God, the LORD, be it known! He and Israel bear witness: if in rebellion or in trespass against the LORD we have acted, do not deliver us up this day.
Jos.22.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשוב: INF,qal
- מאחרי: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- להעלות: VERB,hiphil,inf
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומנחה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- זבחי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שלמים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יבקש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.12:7 (verbal): Abram 'built an altar unto the LORD'—same verb and motif of erecting an altar as an act of worship and witness to God's presence.
- Gen.35:7 (verbal): Jacob builds an altar at Bethel (calls it El‑bethel); altar functions as a landmark of covenantal encounter and renewed worship.
- Josh.8:30-35 (structural): Joshua erects an altar on Mount Ebal and publicly reads the law—altar used as a covenant witness and occasion for communal affirmation, paralleling the altar's witness function in Josh 22:23.
- Deut.12:13-14 (structural): Deuteronomic injunction not to offer sacrifices 'in every place' but at the central sanctuary provides legal background for the tribes' insistence that their altar was not intended for sacrifices.
- 1 Kgs.12:26-30 (thematic): Jeroboam establishes rival cult sites/altars to prevent pilgrimage to Jerusalem—illustrates the potential for altars to be interpreted as schismatic or illicit worship, a concern reflected in the dispute over the Dan‑Ephraim altar.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if it is to build us a altar to turn from following the LORD, or to offer burnt offerings, or to offer sacrifices, may the LORD himself require it.
- But we built the altar for ourselves, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, nor for the offering of peace offerings; the LORD Himself will require that.
Jos.22.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- מדאגה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- עשינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מחר: ADV
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- בניכם: NOUN,m,pl,const+2mp
- לבנינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מה: PRON,int
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- וליהוה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (structural): Commands that offerings be made only at the place the LORD chooses; parallels Joshua’s concern about unauthorized altars and the proper place/way of worship.
- 1 Kings 12:26-28 (thematic): Jeroboam establishes altars/calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent people going to Jerusalem—similar situation of creating local altars that could lead to schism or false worship.
- Psalm 69:9 (verbal): “Zeal for your house consumes me.” Echoes the motif of zeal for the LORD as a motivating justification for actions taken in relation to worship and the sanctuary.
- John 2:17 (quotation): NT quotation of Psalm 69:9 applied to Jesus’ temple cleansing; parallels the idea that zeal for the house of God can justify decisive action concerning worship.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (thematic): “Whether you eat or drink... do all to the glory of God.” Resonates with Joshua’s call that, if their motive was zeal for the LORD, they should give glory to the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- But in good faith—and not in treachery, nor in rebellion against the LORD—did we this thing: we said, ‘Let tomorrow our sons be accused by your sons, and say to them, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
- But consider this: if we should fail to devise a remedy, then tomorrow your sons would say to our sons, ‘What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
Jos.22.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגבול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביננו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- וביניכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אין: PART,neg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- חלק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- והשביתו: VERB,hif,perf,3,pl
- בניכם: NOUN,m,pl,const+2mp
- את: PRT,acc
- בנינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 22:19 (verbal): Same episode — the western tribes explicitly accuse the Transjordan tribes of making Israel 'cease to fear the LORD' and of creating a breach between them and the LORD; language and intent mirror Josh 22:25.
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (thematic): Law concerning a city or town that entices Israel to serve other gods — communal remedy for leaders/communities who cause the people to turn from the LORD, resonating with the charge of causing others to cease fearing God.
- Matthew 18:6 (thematic): Jesus’ warning that whoever causes 'one of these little ones' to stumble will face severe judgment — parallels the moral seriousness of causing children or the community to abandon reverence for God.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (thematic): Paul’s admonition not to use Christian liberty in a way that makes a weaker brother stumble — addresses the responsibility not to lead others into sinful or faith‑destroying behavior, akin to the complaint in Josh 22:25.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is the LORD’s possession across the Jordan? Are you taking possession of him? Are you going to usurp our possession?’
- For the LORD has set the boundary between us and you— the Jordan is the border—so you have no portion in the LORD. Your sons might make our sons cease from fearing the LORD.
Jos.22.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונאמר: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- נא: PART
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- לעולה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- לזבח: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Joshua 8:30-35 (structural): Joshua builds an altar on Mount Ebal and reads the law — an altar functioning as a covenantal witness/marker rather than merely a local sacrificial site, paralleling the east tribes' claim.
- Deuteronomy 27:2-8 (allusion): Instruction to set up stones and build an altar on Mount Ebal as a public witness to the covenant; provides the legal/ritual background for altars serving as testimony.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (thematic): Command to centralize burnt offerings at the place the LORD will choose — serves as the theological contrast that prompts the western tribes' initial alarm and the eastern tribes' clarification that their altar was not for sacrifice.
- Genesis 31:44-54 (thematic): Jacob and Laban set up a heap/altar (Galeed/Mizpah) as a witness between them — a parallel instance of erecting a monument/altar to serve as a non-sacrificial testimony or covenantal sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- So we said, ‘Let us make a replica for ourselves—an altar—not for burnt offering and not for sacrifice;
- Therefore we said, ‘Let us make for ourselves a large altar, not for burnt offering and not for sacrifice.’
Jos.22.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- עד: PREP
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בינינו: PREP,1,c,pl
- וביניכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- דרותינו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- אחרינו: PREP,suff,1,pl
- לעבד: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בעלותינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- ובזבחינו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- ובשלמינו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- בניכם: NOUN,m,pl,const+2mp
- מחר: ADV
- לבנינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- אין: PART,neg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- חלק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:5-7 (thematic): Concerns the proper place and manner of worship to maintain covenant unity and prevent divisions between tribes—parallel to the concern that future generations not be excluded from a share in the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 (thematic): Mandates teaching God’s commandments to one’s children; echoes Joshua 22:27’s focus on ensuring ‘our children after us’ continue to serve the LORD.
- Joshua 24:15 (thematic): Joshua’s declaration ‘as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD’ parallels the vow in 22:27 to serve the LORD before him and secure a share for their descendants.
- Psalm 16:5 (verbal): ‘The LORD is the portion of my inheritance’ uses the same metaphor of the LORD as a ‘portion/heritage’ (chelek/nachalah), resonating with the language of having a portion in the LORD.
- Psalm 78:6-7 (thematic): Speaks of passing God’s works and statutes to the next generation so they will trust God—closely related to the concern in Joshua 22:27 that children not say they have no part in the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- but that it may be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may worship the LORD before him with our burnt offerings and with our sacrifices and with our peace offerings; and we will not be accused tomorrow as if we have no portion in the LORD.
- For it shall be a witness between us and you and between our descendants after us, that we may serve the LORD before him with our burnt offerings and our sacrifices and with our peace offerings; and tomorrow your sons may not say to our sons, ‘You have no part in the LORD.’”
Jos.22.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונאמר: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- אלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- דרתינו: NOUN,f,sg,suff,1,pl
- מחר: ADV
- ואמרנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,pl
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- תבנית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבותינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1cp
- לא: PART_NEG
- לעולה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- לזבח: VERB,qal,inf
- כי: CONJ
- עד: PREP
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בינינו: PREP,1,c,pl
- וביניכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 22:34 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same episode: the altar is explicitly described as 'a witness between us, that the LORD is God,' repeating and clarifying the function named in v.28.
- Genesis 31:44–52 (verbal): Jacob and Laban set up a heap and pillar 'as a witness' between them (Heb. ‘ed/galeed’); parallels the use of a physical monument as a legal/covenantal witness between groups.
- Deuteronomy 27:2–8 (thematic): Instructions to set up stones, plaster them, and build an altar on Mount Ebal as a public covenant memorial—similar use of altars/stones as witness and covenant signs.
- 1 Samuel 7:12 (thematic): Samuel sets up a stone and names it Ebenezer ('stone of help') as a memorial witness to Yahweh’s aid—analogous practice of erecting objects to testify to divine action and relations between God and people.
- Judges 6:24 (thematic): Gideon builds an altar and names it (The LORD Is Peace), using an altar as a lasting sign of God's presence and deliverance; parallels the altar’s function as a testimony/witness to divine reality.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore we said, “That when they say to us in time to come, ‘What do you mean by this altar?’ then we shall say to them, ‘Because it is a witness between us and you.'
- And we said, ‘If they should say to us or to our descendants after us, “What is this altar to you?”—then you shall say to them, “It is because there stood by us an altar, the pattern of the altar our fathers made, not for burnt offering and not for sacrifice; it is a witness between us and you.”’
Jos.22.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חלילה: INTJ
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- למרד: VERB,qal,inf
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- ולשוב: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאחרי: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למנחה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולזבח: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- מלבד: PREP
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפני: PREP
- משכנו: NOUN,m,sg,poss,1,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 22:19 (verbal): Immediate context and near-repetition: the eastern tribes deny that they intended to rebel or build an altar for offerings apart from the LORD’s altar, language and defense echoed in 22:29.
- Deuteronomy 12:11 (verbal): Speaks of bringing offerings to ‘the place the LORD will choose, to make his name dwell there,’ paralleling Joshua’s phrase ‘before his dwelling’ (לפני משכנו) as the proper locus for sacrifice.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (thematic): Commands Israelites not to offer burnt offerings at every place but only at the chosen sanctuary—the law underlying the objection to building a separate altar in Joshua 22:29.
- Leviticus 17:3-4 (thematic): Restricts slaughtering and offering to the tent of meeting; thematically parallel in prohibiting sacrifices 'apart from the altar of the LORD our God'.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (allusion): Narrative example of creating alternative cultic sites (Jeroboam’s calves/altars) — a later warning against separate altars and rival worship outside the central sanctuary, thematically linked to Joshua 22:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we did it only for fear of provoking our sons to say to your sons, ‘You have no portion in the LORD.’ Therefore your sons would make our sons cease to fear the LORD.'
- Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD or turn away today from following the LORD to build an altar for burnt offering, for sacrifice, or for peace offerings, besides the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle.”
Jos.22.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- פינחס: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונשיאי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וראשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,const
- אלפי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברו: INF,qal,inf+3ms
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וייטב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בעיניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss-3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 22:31 (structural): Immediate continuation of the scene: Phinehas blesses the tribes and the altar is declared not to be for rebellion—directly follows and completes the approval reported in v.30.
- Numbers 25:11-13 (allusion): Phinehas is a central figure here as well; this passage records God's commendation of Phinehas for zeal for the covenant, linking his priestly authority and role in resolving crises to his judgment in Josh 22:30.
- Exodus 18:24-26 (thematic): Jethro's counsel is heard and implemented by Moses—parallel motif of leaders hearing advice/report and approving reforms or decisions for the good order of the community.
- Nehemiah 8:12 (thematic): After the people hear the reading/explanation of the law they are deeply encouraged and glad; parallels the motif of hearing authoritative words and responding with acceptance and joy.
- Acts 15:30-31 (thematic): The Jerusalem council's letter is read to the church and they rejoice at its consolation—another example of leaders' decisions or explanations being heard and welcomed by the larger community.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest and the chiefs of the congregation and the heads of the thousands of Israel who were with him heard the words that the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the sons of Manasseh had spoken, it seemed good in their eyes.
- When Phinehas the priest and the princes of the congregation and the heads of the thousands of Israel who were with him heard the words they spoke, it was pleasing in their sight.
Jos.22.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פינחס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ידענו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- בתוכנו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1p
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- מעלתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,mp
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- המעל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אז: ADV
- הצלתם: VERB,hif,perf,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיד: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 25:11-13 (allusion): Same priest Phinehas acts to stop God’s wrath; God grants him a covenant of priestly 'peace' after his zeal — echoes Joshua 22:31’s appeal that Phinehas confirms Israel was spared from the LORD’s hand.
- Psalm 106:30-31 (allusion): The psalm recounts Phinehas’ intervention that stayed a plague on Israel; it echoes the motif in Joshua 22:31 of Phinehas’ role in averting divine judgment.
- Joshua 7:11 (thematic): Achan’s transgression provokes the LORD’s anger against Israel; thematically parallels Joshua 22:31’s concern that communal sin would bring the LORD’s wrath and the relief when the sin is absent.
- Zephaniah 3:17 (verbal): Declares 'the LORD is in your midst, he will save' — closely parallels the language and assurance of 'the LORD is among us' and that Israel has been delivered in Joshua 22:31.
- 1 Samuel 7:6-12 (thematic): After repentance Samuel prays and the LORD delivers Israel from the Philistines, leading to the declaration 'Thus far the LORD has helped us' — parallels Joshua 22:31’s linkage of the LORD’s presence with communal deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this transgression against the LORD; you have saved the children of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”
- Then Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD; therefore you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”
Jos.22.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פינחס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנשיאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מאת: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומאת: NUM,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגלעד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 25:7-13 (verbal): Same Phinehas son of Eleazar acts as priest and leader who intervenes in a national crisis; connects his priestly authority and role in resolving covenant breaches to his appearance as spokesman in Joshua 22.
- Joshua 22:20-31 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the report of Phinehas and the princes and their investigation of the eastern altar culminates in reconciliation (v.31) and explains why they returned to the camp (v.32).
- Numbers 32:1-5 (thematic): Background account of the Reubenites and Gadites requesting and settling in the lands of Gilead and the Transjordan—context for the tribal identity, territory (Gilead), and the dispute that led to the delegation in Joshua 22.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-13 (thematic): Gives the allocation of the land of Gilead and the Transjordan to Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh—provides legal/historical backdrop for why leaders 'from the land of Gilead' would represent those tribes in Joshua 22.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest and the chiefs returned from the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and from the half-tribe of Manasseh, from the land of Gilead, to the land of Canaan to the people of Israel; and they told them the words.
- So Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest and the princes returned from the sons of Reuben and from the sons of Gad from the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan to the people of Israel, and they reported to them the words.
Jos.22.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וייטב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויברכו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לצבא: VERB,qal,inf
- לשחת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ישבים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Josh.22.34 (structural): Immediate continuation of the episode: explains why Israel was satisfied and blessed God—the altar served as a witness—so this verse and v.34 form a single resolution to the crisis.
- Num.32:20-27 (verbal): Background and verbal/thematic parallel: the Reubenites and Gadites’ vow and Moses’ conditions about fighting for the conquest explain the earlier mistrust and the need for reconciliation; both passages concern these tribes’ land allotment and Israel’s military expectations.
- 1 Sam.25:32-34 (thematic): David blesses the LORD and refrains from taking vengeance after Abigail’s intervention, paralleling Israel’s blessing of God and decision not to attack once the misunderstanding is resolved.
- Gen.31:54 (thematic): After a potentially violent dispute between Jacob and Laban, the parties make an agreement, part in peace, and mark the settlement—parallel in theme of a threatened conflict averted and a covenantal/ritual act securing peace.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the thing pleased the people of Israel, and the people blessed God and did not speak of going up against them to war to destroy the land in which the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad dwelt.
- And the matter pleased the people of Israel; and the people of Israel blessed God, and did not speak of going up in arms against them to make war and to destroy the land in which the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.
Jos.22.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ראובן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- למזבח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עד: PREP
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בינתינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.31:49-52 (verbal): Jacob and Laban set up a heap called Galeed and name the place Mizpah, declaring ‘the LORD watch between thee and me’ — a direct verbal and functional parallel: a named monument serving as a witness between parties invoking God.
- 1 Sam.7:12 (thematic): Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer (‘stone of help’) as a memorial that the LORD has helped Israel — similar use of a physical marker to commemorate divine action and attest God’s presence.
- Judg.6:24 (verbal): Gideon builds an altar and names it Jehovah‑shalom, explicitly naming an altar to testify to God’s presence/character, paralleling the practice of naming an altar as witness to Yahweh.
- Exod.20:24 (structural): Instruction to make an altar of earth or unhewn stones for sacrifices where God will meet Israel — provides the legal/ritual framework for altars as authoritative markers of the community’s relationship with Yahweh, the background for Joshua’s ‘witness’ altar.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar a witness—‘A Witness between us that the LORD is God.’
- And the Reubenites and the Gadites called the altar ‘A Witness,’ for it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.
Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
He said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you.”
“You did not leave your brothers these many days until today; you have kept the charge of the commandments of the LORD your God.”
“And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Now therefore turn and go to your tents and to the land of your possession that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.”
“Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD charged you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to cling to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” So Joshua blessed them and sent them away; and they went to their tents.
(Now to the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given in Bashan, and the other half Joshua had given among their brothers across the Jordan toward the west.) And when Joshua sent them to their tents, he blessed them.
He said to them, “Return to your homes with much wealth—very much livestock, with silver and gold, with bronze and iron, and with abundant spoils of your enemies—share them with your brothers.” So the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned from the people of Israel out of the land of Canaan to go to the land of Gilead, to their possessions which they had inherited according to the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses. And when they came to the banks of the Jordan that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there a large altar by the Jordan, a conspicuous altar.
When the people of Israel heard it, they said, “Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built a great altar by the border of the Jordan, at the edge of the land of Canaan, on the side belonging to the people of Israel.” And when the people of Israel heard it, the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled as one, to go up in arms against them.
Then the people of Israel sent to the children of Reuben and to the children of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest,
with ten chiefs with him—one chief from each tribe—heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of Israel; and they were men of rank among the thousands of Israel.
They came to the land of Gilead to the children of Reuben and to the children of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, and they spoke with them, saying:
“Thus says all the congregation of the LORD: ‘What is this wickedness that you have committed against the God of Israel, in turning away today from following the LORD by building yourselves an altar to rebel against the LORD?’”
“Have you brought upon us the guilt of Peor, from which we had not been cleansed to this day, so that the plague came into the congregation of the LORD? And now if you turn away today from following the LORD, and if you rebel against the LORD, then tomorrow all the congregation of Israel will be aroused against you. But if the land where you dwell is unclean, then pass over into the land of the possession of the LORD, where the tabernacle of the LORD is, and take your possession among us; do not rebel against the LORD nor against us by building yourselves an altar besides the altar of the LORD our God.
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing so that wrath came upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his sin.’”
Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the heads of the thousands of Israel.
“To God and to the LORD, to God and to the LORD be it known: Israel knows, and you yourselves know, that if we have done this thing in rebellion or in transgression against the LORD, then may the LORD not spare us this day. But truly we did it for fear of a thing: we said, ‘Lest in time to come your children should make our children cease to fear the LORD,’ and so they should be guilty toward the LORD.
Therefore we thought it necessary to build a replica of an altar, not for burnt offering and not for sacrifice, but that it might be a witness between us and you and between our generations after us.
For we said, ‘Perhaps your sons will say to our sons tomorrow, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
Therefore we will say to them, “Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, not for burnt offering and not for sacrifice, but it is a witness between us and you.”’
For though it is a witness between us and you and between our generations after us, that we may serve the LORD our God with our burnt offerings and with our sacrifices and with our peace offerings, so that your children may not say to our children tomorrow, “You have no part in the LORD.”’”
“And if they should say to us or to our descendants in time to come, ‘What have you to do with the LORD God of Israel?’, then we shall say to them, ‘Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made; it is not for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, but it is a witness between us.’”
“Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn back today from following the LORD by building an altar to burn offerings, to offer sacrifices and peace offerings besides the altar of the LORD our God which stands before his tabernacle.”
When Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest and the chiefs of the congregation and the heads of the thousands of Israel who were with him heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had spoken, it pleased them. And Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to them, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this transgression against the LORD; now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.” So Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes returned from the children of Reuben and from the children of Gad from the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan to the children of Israel, and they told them all the words. And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and they did not speak of going up to war against them to destroy the land in which the children of Reuben and the children of Gad lived. And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar a Witness—‘A Witness between us that the LORD is God.’