1.
Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
Joshua: Numbers 32:18-33, Deuteronomy 29:7, Deuteronomy 29:8
Reubenites: We have already seen, that a detachment of 40,000 men, of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to their agreement with Moses. The war being now concluded, the land divided, and their brethren settled, Joshua assembles these warriors; and with commendations for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having fist given them the most pious and suitable instructions. They had now been about seven years absent from their respective families; and though there was only the river Jordan between the camp of Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear that they had, during that time, ever revisited their home, which they might have done at any time of the year, except the harvest, as the river was at other times easily fordable.
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:18 - I commanded Deuteronomy 33:6 - General Joshua 1:13 - Remember 1 Chronicles 12:37 - the other side
2.
And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
Ye have: Numbers 32:20-29, Deuteronomy 3:16-20
obeyed: Joshua 1:12-18
3.
Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
Philippians 1:23-27
Reciprocal: Numbers 9:23 - they kept
4.
And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.
given rest: Joshua 21:43, Joshua 21:44, Deuteronomy 12:9
get: Joshua 13:8, Joshua 13:15-33, Joshua 14:1-5, Numbers 32:33-42, Deuteronomy 3:1-17, Deuteronomy 29:8
Reciprocal: Exodus 33:14 - rest Numbers 32:18 - General Numbers 32:22 - ye shall Deuteronomy 1:1 - on this Deuteronomy 3:20 - return Deuteronomy 33:21 - a portion Joshua 1:15 - then ye shall Joshua 9:1 - on this Joshua 11:23 - And the land Joshua 12:1 - on the other Joshua 23:1 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 22:18 - and hath Isaiah 63:14 - the Spirit Hebrews 4:8 - had
5.
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
take: Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 4:1, Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 4:6, Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Deuteronomy 6:17, Deuteronomy 11:22, 1 Chronicles 28:7, 1 Chronicles 28:8, Psalms 106:3, Psalms 119:4-6, Proverbs 4:23, Isaiah 55:2, Jeremiah 12:16, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:12, Hebrews 12:15, 2 Peter 1:5-10
love: Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 10:13, Deuteronomy 11:1, Deuteronomy 11:13, Matthew 22:37, John 14:15, John 14:21-23, John 21:15-17, Romans 8:28, James 1:12, James 2:5, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:3
cleave: Joshua 23:8, Deuteronomy 4:4, Deuteronomy 10:20, Deuteronomy 13:4, Acts 11:23, Romans 12:9
serve: Joshua 24:14, Joshua 24:15, 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Samuel 12:20, 1 Samuel 12:24, Matthew 4:10, Matthew 6:24, Luke 1:74, John 12:26, Acts 27:23, Romans 1:9
Reciprocal: Exodus 23:13 - be circumspect Exodus 23:25 - And ye Numbers 32:18 - General Deuteronomy 26:17 - and to Joshua 23:11 - Take good 1 Kings 2:3 - And keep 2 Chronicles 19:6 - Take
6.
So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
Joshua 22:7, Joshua 22:8, Joshua 14:13, Genesis 14:19, Genesis 47:7, Genesis 47:10, Exodus 39:43, 1 Samuel 2:20, 2 Samuel 6:18, 2 Samuel 6:20, 2 Chronicles 30:18, Luke 2:34, Luke 24:50, Hebrews 7:6, Hebrews 7:7
Reciprocal: Genesis 27:4 - that my Judges 2:6 - Joshua 1 Kings 8:14 - blessed all 1 Chronicles 16:2 - he blessed 2 Chronicles 6:3 - blessed
7.
Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
Joshua 13:29-31, Joshua 17:1-12
Reciprocal: Genesis 28:1 - blessed Deuteronomy 1:1 - on this Deuteronomy 3:15 - Machir Joshua 9:1 - on this Joshua 22:6 - General
8.
And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
Return: Deuteronomy 8:9-14, Deuteronomy 8:17, Deuteronomy 8:18, 2 Chronicles 17:5, 2 Chronicles 32:27, Proverbs 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 11:26
divide: Numbers 31:27, 1 Samuel 30:24, Psalms 68:12
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:20 - return Deuteronomy 20:14 - thou shalt eat Joshua 22:6 - General 1 Chronicles 5:9 - because
9.
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
the country of Gilead: Joshua 13:11, Joshua 13:25, Joshua 13:31, Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:26, Numbers 32:29, Numbers 32:39, Numbers 32:40, Deuteronomy 3:15, Deuteronomy 3:16, Psalms 60:7
Reciprocal: Numbers 32:22 - ye shall Joshua 18:1 - Shiloh Joshua 21:44 - General 1 Chronicles 5:9 - because
10.
And when they came unto the borders of 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 an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
the children: This verse should probably be rendered, "And when they came to the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Then built an altar by (or beyond, al) Jordan, a great altar to the view." It would appear, that when they came to the river, they formed the purpose of building the altar; and when they crossed it they put that purpose into execution. It is evident that they did not build it west of the Jordan, for that was not in their territories, and the next verse expressly says that it was built over against the land of Canaan.
built: Joshua 22:25-28, Joshua 4:5-9, Joshua 24:26, Joshua 24:27, Genesis 28:18, Genesis 31:46-52
Reciprocal: Joshua 22:27 - a witness Judges 6:24 - built Isaiah 19:19 - General
11.
And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the chidren of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
heard: Leviticus 17:8, Leviticus 17:9, Deuteronomy 12:5-7, Deuteronomy 13:12-14, John 20:1, John 20:12
at the passage: Joshua 2:7, Joshua 3:14-16, Judges 12:5, John 1:28
12.
And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
the whole: Supposing they had built this altar for sacrifice, in opposition to the command of God, they considered them as rebels against God and the Israelitish constitution. Deuteronomy 13:15, Judges 20:1-11, Acts 11:2, Acts 11:3, Romans 10:2, Galatians 4:17, Galatians 4:18
Reciprocal: Joshua 22:15 - General Joshua 22:32 - and brought 1 Samuel 1:14 - How long
13.
And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
sent: Deuteronomy 13:14, Judges 20:12, Proverbs 20:18, Matthew 18:15
Phinehas: Exodus 6:25, Numbers 25:7, Numbers 25:11-13, Judges 20:28, Psalms 106:30, Psalms 106:31, Proverbs 25:9-13
Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:4 - Phinehas Ezra 7:5 - Phinehas
14.
And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
chief house: Heb. house of the father
an head: Exodus 18:25, Numbers 1:4
Reciprocal: Exodus 18:21 - rulers of thousands
15.
And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
the whole, Joshua 22:12, Matthew 18:17, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 5:4, Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:2, trespass, Leviticus 5:19, Leviticus 26:40, Numbers 5:6, 1 Chronicles 21:3, 2 Chronicles 26:18, 2 Chronicles 28:13, Ezra 9:2, Ezra 9:15, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, to turn, Joshua 22:18, Exodus 32:8, Numbers 14:43, Numbers 32:15, Deuteronomy 7:4, Deuteronomy 30:17, 2 Chronicles 10:19, 2 Chronicles 25:27, Hebrews 12:25, rebel, Leviticus 17:8, Leviticus 17:9, Deuteronomy 12:4-6, Deuteronomy 12:13, Deuteronomy 12:14, 1 Samuel 15:23, Psalms 78:8, Isaiah 63:10
16.
Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
Reciprocal: Numbers 32:15 - if ye turn Joshua 7:1 - committed Joshua 22:18 - following 1 Samuel 15:11 - turned 1 Samuel 15:23 - rebellion 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote Jonah 1:7 - for Hebrews 12:25 - turn away
17.
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
Is the iniquity: Numbers 25:3, Numbers 25:4-18, Deuteronomy 4:3, Deuteronomy 4:4, Psalms 106:28, Psalms 106:29
from which: Ezra 9:13, Ezra 9:14, 1 Corinthians 10:8, 1 Corinthians 10:11
Reciprocal: Numbers 25:2 - they called Numbers 31:16 - in the matter Deuteronomy 24:4 - thou shalt 2 Chronicles 28:13 - add more Ezra 10:10 - to increase Nehemiah 13:18 - ye bring more Jeremiah 44:9 - ye forgotten Ephesians 5:6 - cometh Hebrews 12:15 - trouble
18.
But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
following: Joshua 22:16, Deuteronomy 7:4, 1 Samuel 12:14, 1 Samuel 12:20, 1 Kings 9:6, 2 Kings 17:21, 2 Chronicles 25:27, 2 Chronicles 34:33
and it will: Ezra 9:13, Ezra 9:14
he will be: Joshua 22:20, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:21, Numbers 16:22, 2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1, 1 Chronicles 21:14
Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:6 - lest wrath Deuteronomy 24:4 - thou shalt Joshua 6:18 - make the camp Joshua 7:12 - the children Joshua 22:15 - General 1 Chronicles 21:17 - that they should 2 Chronicles 19:10 - wrath come 2 Chronicles 28:13 - add more Ezra 10:10 - to increase Nehemiah 13:18 - ye bring more Ephesians 5:6 - cometh
19.
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.
unclean: Exodus 15:17, Leviticus 18:25-28, Amos 7:17, Acts 10:14, Acts 10:15, Acts 11:8, Acts 11:9
wherein: Joshua 18:1, Leviticus 17:8, Leviticus 17:9, Deuteronomy 12:5, Deuteronomy 12:6, 2 Chronicles 11:13, 2 Chronicles 11:16, 2 Chronicles 11:17
Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:11 - I will Numbers 32:30 - General
20.
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:5, Joshua 7:18, Joshua 7:24, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 2 Peter 2:6, Jude 1:5, Jude 1:6
Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:6 - lest wrath Deuteronomy 13:17 - the Lord Joshua 22:18 - he will be 1 Chronicles 2:7 - accursed 2 Chronicles 24:18 - wrath Job 35:8 - may hurt Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner Malachi 3:9 - General Acts 5:5 - great
21.
Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
Then the children: The conduct and answer of these Reubenites and the associates are worthy of admiration and imitation. Though conscious of their innocence, they permitted Phinehas to finish his speech, though composed of little else than accusations, without any interruption; and taking in good part the suspicions, reproofs, and even harshness of their brethren, with the utmost meekness and solemnity they explain their intention, give all the satisfaction in their power, and with great propriety and reverence, appeal to that God against whom they were supposed to have rebelled.
answered: Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 16:1, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 24:26, Acts 11:4, James 1:19, 1 Peter 3:15
heads: Exodus 18:21-25, Micah 5:2
22.
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
Lord God: יהוה [Strong's H3068] אלהים [Strong's H430] אל [Strong's H410], El Elohim Yehowah, literally "The strong God, Elohim Jehovah," which is nearly the version of Luther, der starke Gott, der Herr, "The strong God, the Lord." Exodus 18:11, Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalms 82:1, Psalms 95:3, Psalms 97:7, Psalms 136:2, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 11:36, 1 Timothy 6:16, Revelation 19:16
he knoweth: 1 Kings 8:39, Job 10:7, Job 23:10, Psalms 7:3, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 139:1-12, Jeremiah 12:3, Jeremiah 17:10, John 2:24, John 2:25, John 21:17, Acts 1:24, 2 Corinthians 11:11, 2 Corinthians 11:31, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23
Israel: Psalms 37:6, Micah 7:9, Malachi 3:18, Acts 11:2-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11
if it be: 1 Samuel 15:23, Job 31:5-8, Job 31:38-40, Psalms 7:3-5, Acts 25:11
Reciprocal: Genesis 18:21 - I will know Genesis 20:5 - in the integrity Genesis 44:7 - General 1 Samuel 20:8 - if there be 1 Samuel 20:12 - O Lord Job 31:6 - know Job 31:22 - let Psalms 50:1 - mighty Psalms 89:8 - O Lord Amos 3:13 - the Lord 1 Corinthians 13:6 - rejoiceth
23.
That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;
let the Lord: Genesis 9:4, Deuteronomy 18:19, 1 Samuel 20:16, 2 Chronicles 24:22, Psalms 10:13, Psalms 10:14, Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 33:6, Ezekiel 33:8
Reciprocal: Joshua 22:29 - to build Job 31:22 - let Psalms 44:21 - knoweth
24.
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
for fear: Genesis 18:19
In time to come: Heb. To-morrow, Joshua 4:6, Genesis 30:33, Exodus 13:14, Deuteronomy 6:20, *marg.
Reciprocal: Psalms 78:6 - who
25.
For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
ye have: Joshua 22:27, 2 Samuel 20:1, 1 Kings 12:16, Ezra 4:2, Ezra 4:3, Nehemiah 2:20, Acts 8:21
make: 1 Samuel 26:19, 1 Kings 12:27-30, 1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 15:30
Reciprocal: Joshua 22:10 - built 2 Kings 17:25 - they feared Psalms 78:6 - who
26.
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
Reciprocal: Joshua 22:29 - to build Judges 6:24 - built Isaiah 19:19 - General
27.
But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might 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 say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
a witness: Joshua 22:10, Joshua 22:34, Joshua 24:27, Genesis 31:48, Genesis 31:52, 1 Samuel 7:12
that we: Deuteronomy 12:5, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:11, Deuteronomy 12:17, Deuteronomy 12:18, Deuteronomy 12:26, Deuteronomy 12:27
Reciprocal: Genesis 21:30 - a witness Genesis 31:44 - a witness Joshua 4:6 - a sign Joshua 22:25 - ye have Isaiah 19:20 - for a
28.
Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
Behold: Exodus 25:40, 2 Kings 16:10, Ezekiel 43:10, Ezekiel 43:11, Hebrews 8:5
Reciprocal: Genesis 21:30 - a witness Joshua 24:27 - General Isaiah 19:20 - for a
29.
God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.
God forbid: Joshua 24:16, Genesis 44:7, Genesis 44:17, 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Kings 21:3, Romans 3:6, Romans 6:2, Romans 9:14
to build: Joshua 22:23, Joshua 22:26, Deuteronomy 12:13, Deuteronomy 12:14, 2 Kings 18:22, 2 Chronicles 32:12
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:2 - God forbid
30.
And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
it pleased them: Heb. it was good in their eyes, It is remarkable, that Joshua is not once named in this transaction; but this only shews, that he did not in his old age assume any regal authority, but left the elders and magistrates to conduct the general business, only acting himself when great occasions made it necessary. Yet we cannot doubt, that his wisdom and piety influenced the counsels of the elders and people at this time. Joshua 22:33, Genesis 28:8, Judges 8:3, 1 Samuel 25:32, 1 Samuel 25:33, 1 Samuel 29:6, 2 Chronicles 30:4, Esther 1:21, *marg. Proverbs 15:1, Acts 11:18
Reciprocal: Genesis 41:37 - good Numbers 25:7 - Phinehas Judges 20:28 - Phinehas 1 Chronicles 6:4 - Phinehas Jeremiah 47:4 - country
31.
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
the Lord is: Joshua 3:10, Leviticus 26:11, Leviticus 26:12, Numbers 14:41-43, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 68:17, Isaiah 12:6, Zechariah 8:23, Matthew 1:23, 1 Corinthians 14:25
now: Heb. then
Reciprocal: Exodus 6:25 - Phinehas Exodus 17:7 - Is the Lord Numbers 25:7 - Phinehas Ezra 7:5 - Phinehas
32.
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
and brought: Joshua 22:12-14, Proverbs 25:13
Reciprocal: Exodus 6:25 - Phinehas
33.
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
34.
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.
Ed: i.e. a witness, The word witness, or testimony, is not found in the common editions of the Hebrew Bible; and is supplied in Italics by our venerable translators, at least in our modern copies; for in the first edition of this translation, it stands in the text without any note of this kind; but it is found in several of Kennicott's and De Rossi's manuscripts, and also in the Syriac and Arabic. Several also of the early printed editions of the Hebrew Bible have the word ed, either in the text or in the margin; and it must be allowed to be necessary to complete the sense. It is very probable that an inscription was put on this altar, signifying the purpose for which it was erected. Thus was this affair most happily terminated. Joshua 22:27, Joshua 24:27, 1 Kings 18:39, Isaiah 43:10, Matthew 4:10
the Lord is God: Several manuscripts read more emphatically, אלהים [Strong's H3068] הוא [Strong's H1931] יהוה, Yehowah, hoo Elohim, "Jehovah he is God."
Reciprocal: Isaiah 19:20 - for a