Joshua 22 Study Notes: The Eastern Tribes and the Altar
Joshua praises Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh for their faithful service and sends them home east of the Jordan. When they build a large altar by the river, Israel nearly goes to war, but Phinehas and ten leaders learn it is only a witness to their shared worship of the LORD, and peace is restored.
General
According to the eastern tribes, why had they built the altar (22:24-27)?
Answer: To stand as a witness that they too belonged to the LORD
The eastern tribes explained that they were afraid that in years to come the western tribes' descendants would tell theirs that the Jordan River was a boundary and they had no part in the LORD, and so cause their children to stop fearing Him (22:24-25). The altar was not for offerings or sacrifices at all; it was a witness, a lasting reminder, that they too would worship the LORD at His sanctuary with their offerings (22:26-27). Like the memorial stones at the Jordan (4:6-7) and the stone witnesses elsewhere in Scripture (Genesis 31:48; Joshua 24:27), it was meant to speak to later generations. It was not for their own sacrifices, a border guard, or a monument to Moses.
- Joshua 22:24-25 (BSB)“But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no share in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.”They feared later generations would say the eastern tribes had no share in the LORD.
- Joshua 22:26-27 (BSB)“That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices. Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’”The altar is not for sacrifices but a witness that they will worship the LORD in His presence.
- Joshua 4:6-7 (BSB)“to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.””The stones at the Jordan were likewise a sign to answer children's questions in the future.
- Genesis 31:48 (BSB)“Then Laban declared, “This mound is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore the place was called Galeed.”Laban's mound of stones served as a witness between him and Jacob.
- Joshua 24:27 (BSB)“And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.””Joshua later sets up a stone as a witness to the covenant at Shechem.
Theological
What purpose did the Transjordan tribes give for the altar in 22:24-27?
Answer: To stand as a witness that they too belonged to the LORD
The altar arose from fear for future generations: the eastern tribes worried that western descendants would treat the Jordan as a boundary that shut them out from the LORD, thereby leading their children to cease fearing Him (22:24-25). They built it explicitly not for sacrifice but to testify between the two groups and their descendants that they would worship the LORD before His presence with their offerings (22:26-27). It belongs with the memorial stones of 4:6-7 and other stone witnesses (Genesis 31:48; Joshua 24:27). It was neither an alternative place of sacrifice, a border marker, nor a memorial to Moses.
- Joshua 22:24-25 (BSB)“But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no share in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.”They feared later generations would say the eastern tribes had no share in the LORD.
- Joshua 22:26-27 (BSB)“That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices. Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’”The altar is not for sacrifices but a witness that they will worship the LORD in His presence.
- Joshua 4:6-7 (BSB)“to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.””The stones at the Jordan were likewise a sign to answer children's questions in the future.
- Genesis 31:48 (BSB)“Then Laban declared, “This mound is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore the place was called Galeed.”Laban's mound of stones served as a witness between him and Jacob.
- Joshua 24:27 (BSB)“And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.””Joshua later sets up a stone as a witness to the covenant at Shechem.
General
After war was avoided, what name did the tribes of Reuben and Gad give the altar (22:34)?
Answer: Witness
When Phinehas reported back, the people accepted his report, praised God, and stopped talking about war against the eastern tribes (22:33). Reuben and Gad then called the altar Witness, because it testified between the tribes that the LORD was God (22:34). Unity was restored without bloodshed (Psalm 133:1). The other names belong to different memorials: Jacob named the place of his dream Bethel (Genesis 28:19), and Samuel later named a stone Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12).
- Joshua 22:33-34 (BSB)“The Israelites were satisfied with the report, and they blessed God and spoke no more about going to war against them to destroy the land where the Reubenites and Gadites lived. So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar Witness, for they said, “It is a witness between us that the LORD is God.””Israel blesses God and drops talk of war; the eastern tribes name the altar Witness.
- Psalm 133:1 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”Scripture celebrates how good it is when brothers live together in harmony.
- Genesis 28:19 (BSB)“and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz.”Bethel was the name Jacob gave to the place of his dream.
- 1 Samuel 7:12 (BSB)“Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.””Samuel later named a memorial stone Ebenezer.
Theological
What name did the eastern tribes give the altar, according to 22:34?
Answer: Witness
The western tribes accepted the report, blessed God, and abandoned the planned war (22:33). Reuben and Gad called the altar Witness, since it testified between them that the LORD was God (22:34), and the brotherly unity of the tribes was preserved (Psalm 133:1). The distractors are names of other memorials: Bethel (Genesis 28:19) and Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12).
- Joshua 22:33-34 (BSB)“The Israelites were satisfied with the report, and they blessed God and spoke no more about going to war against them to destroy the land where the Reubenites and Gadites lived. So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar Witness, for they said, “It is a witness between us that the LORD is God.””Israel blesses God and drops talk of war; the eastern tribes name the altar Witness.
- Psalm 133:1 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”Scripture celebrates how good it is when brothers live together in harmony.
- Genesis 28:19 (BSB)“and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz.”Bethel was the name Jacob gave to the place of his dream.
- 1 Samuel 7:12 (BSB)“Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.””Samuel later named a memorial stone Ebenezer.
General
What charge did Joshua give the eastern tribes as they went home (22:5)?
Answer: To love God, follow His ways, and serve Him wholeheartedly
Before sending them off, Joshua urged them to take great care to keep the law Moses gave: to love their God, live by His ways, obey His commands, cling to Him, and serve Him with their whole heart and soul (22:5). These are the words of Moses' own summaries of the law (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12, 20). Joshua's concern was not further military service, a yearly tithe, or a second sanctuary, but devotion to the LORD from the heart once they were separated from the rest of Israel by the river.
- Joshua 22:5 (BSB)“But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave 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.””Joshua charges them to love the LORD, walk in His ways, keep His commands, hold fast to Him, and serve Him.
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (BSB)“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”Moses had commanded Israel to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength.
- Deuteronomy 10:12 (BSB)“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”Moses summed up what the LORD asks: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
- Deuteronomy 10:20 (BSB)“You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.”Israel was to fear the LORD, serve Him, and hold fast to Him.
Theological
What does Joshua charge the departing Transjordan tribes to do in 22:5?
Answer: To love God, follow His ways, and serve Him wholeheartedly
Joshua's parting charge gathers the heart of Deuteronomy: love the LORD, follow His ways, keep His commandments, cling to Him, and serve Him with the whole heart and soul (22:5; Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12, 20). Keeping the law is joined to love for the LORD and loyalty to Him. The charge says nothing about returning to fight, sending a set tithe, or building another sanctuary; it addresses the danger of drifting from the LORD once the river separated them from the other tribes.
- Joshua 22:5 (BSB)“But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave 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.””Joshua charges them to love the LORD, walk in His ways, keep His commands, hold fast to Him, and serve Him.
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (BSB)“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”Moses had commanded Israel to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength.
- Deuteronomy 10:12 (BSB)“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”Moses summed up what the LORD asks: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
- Deuteronomy 10:20 (BSB)“You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.”Israel was to fear the LORD, serve Him, and hold fast to Him.
General
How did the rest of Israel first react when they heard that the eastern tribes had built a large altar near the Jordan (22:11-12)?
Answer: They assembled at Shiloh, prepared to fight them
On their way home the eastern tribes built a large, impressive altar near the Jordan (22:10). When the news reached the other Israelites, the whole community assembled at Shiloh, where the tabernacle, God's tent of worship, stood (18:1), ready to fight them (22:11-12). Their alarm had a reason: the law said sacrifices must be offered only where the LORD chose, and anyone sacrificing elsewhere was to be removed from Israel (Deuteronomy 12:13-14; Leviticus 17:8-9). A second altar looked like rebellion against God. They did not ignore the report, write to Joshua, or use the altar themselves.
- Joshua 22:11-12 (BSB)“Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.”Hearing of the altar by the Jordan, the whole congregation assembles at Shiloh to go to war.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (BSB)“Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.”Burnt offerings were to be made only at the place the LORD would choose.
- Leviticus 17:8-9 (BSB)“Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice but does not bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to the LORD, that man must be cut off from his people.”Anyone offering a sacrifice away from the Tent of Meeting was to be cut off from his people.
- Joshua 18:1 (BSB)“Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,”The Tent of Meeting had been set up at Shiloh.
Theological
What was the western tribes' first response to the report of the altar by the Jordan (22:11-12)?
Answer: They assembled at Shiloh, prepared to fight them
The report of an imposing altar at the Jordan (22:10) brought the whole congregation to Shiloh, where the tabernacle stood (18:1), prepared for war (22:11-12). The reaction reflects the law of the central sanctuary: sacrifice was restricted to the site of God's choosing, and sacrifice elsewhere incurred being cut off (Deuteronomy 12:13-14; Leviticus 17:8-9). A rival altar appeared to be covenant apostasy that would bring judgment on all Israel. The text records no letter to Joshua, no waiting, and no use of the altar by the western tribes.
- Joshua 22:11-12 (BSB)“Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.”Hearing of the altar by the Jordan, the whole congregation assembles at Shiloh to go to war.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (BSB)“Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.”Burnt offerings were to be made only at the place the LORD would choose.
- Leviticus 17:8-9 (BSB)“Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice but does not bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to the LORD, that man must be cut off from his people.”Anyone offering a sacrifice away from the Tent of Meeting was to be cut off from his people.
- Joshua 18:1 (BSB)“Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,”The Tent of Meeting had been set up at Shiloh.
General
True or False: The delegation pointed to Achan as an example of one man's unfaithfulness bringing God's anger on the whole community.
Answer: True
This is true. The delegation reminded the eastern tribes that Achan, Zerah's son, broke faith by taking things God had claimed for Himself and marked for destruction, and that this brought God's anger on the whole community; Achan was not the only one who died for what he did (22:20). Chapter 7 shows this: the LORD counted the whole nation as having sinned (7:1, 11), and about thirty-six men fell at Ai as a result (7:5). The delegation feared the altar would bring the same kind of judgment on all Israel.
- Joshua 22:20 (BSB)“Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’””The delegation recalls that Achan's unfaithfulness brought wrath on the whole congregation, and he did not perish alone.
- Joshua 7:1 (BSB)“The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.”The narrator says the Israelites acted unfaithfully when Achan took devoted things, and the LORD's anger burned.
- Joshua 7:5 (BSB)“And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.”At Ai about thirty-six Israelites were struck down after Achan's sin.
- Joshua 7:11 (BSB)“Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions.”The LORD said Israel had sinned and transgressed His covenant through what was taken.
Theological
True or False: In 22:20 the delegation cites Achan to show that one man's breach of faith brought wrath on the entire congregation.
Answer: True
This is true. The delegation's second precedent is Achan, Zerah's son, whose unfaithfulness concerning the devoted things brought wrath on the whole congregation, and he did not perish alone in his iniquity (22:20). Chapter 7 grounds the claim in corporate solidarity within the covenant: the LORD charged Israel as a whole with the sin (7:1, 11), and about thirty-six fell at Ai (7:5). The western tribes feared that a rival altar would again implicate the entire people.
- Joshua 22:20 (BSB)“Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’””The delegation recalls that Achan's unfaithfulness brought wrath on the whole congregation, and he did not perish alone.
- Joshua 7:1 (BSB)“The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.”The narrator says the Israelites acted unfaithfully when Achan took devoted things, and the LORD's anger burned.
- Joshua 7:5 (BSB)“And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.”At Ai about thirty-six Israelites were struck down after Achan's sin.
- Joshua 7:11 (BSB)“Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions.”The LORD said Israel had sinned and transgressed His covenant through what was taken.
General
Which earlier sin did Phinehas' delegation recall to warn the eastern tribes (22:17)?
Answer: The sin at Peor, which brought a plague
Speaking for the whole community, the delegation asked whether the sin at Peor had not been bad enough, a sin they said Israel still had not been cleansed from and which had brought a plague on the LORD's people (22:17). At Peor, Israel had joined in worshiping the false god Baal, and the LORD's anger burned against them; 24,000 perished (Numbers 25:3, 9). The point was that if the eastern tribes turned from the LORD now, His anger would fall on all Israel the next day (22:18). The golden calf, Korah, and the spies are not mentioned in this chapter.
- Joshua 22:17 (BSB)“Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD.”The delegation asks whether the sin of Peor, which brought a plague, was not enough.
- Joshua 22:18 (BSB)“And now, would you turn away from the LORD? If you rebel today against the LORD, tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.”If they rebel today, the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation tomorrow.
- Numbers 25:3 (BSB)“So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.”At Peor Israel joined in worshiping Baal, and the LORD's anger burned against them.
- Numbers 25:9 (BSB)“but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.”Those who died in the plague at Peor numbered 24,000.
Theological
Which past sin does the delegation cite in 22:17 as a warning?
Answer: The sin at Peor, which brought a plague
The delegation, speaking in the name of the whole congregation, invokes the iniquity of Peor, from which Israel was still not cleansed and which had brought a plague on the congregation (22:17). There Israel had joined the worship of Baal and the LORD's anger burned against them, with 24,000 dying (Numbers 25:3, 9). The argument is corporate: rebellion by some today would provoke the LORD's anger against the entire congregation tomorrow (22:18). The golden calf, Korah, and the spies' report do not appear in the speech.
- Joshua 22:17 (BSB)“Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD.”The delegation asks whether the sin of Peor, which brought a plague, was not enough.
- Joshua 22:18 (BSB)“And now, would you turn away from the LORD? If you rebel today against the LORD, tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.”If they rebel today, the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation tomorrow.
- Numbers 25:3 (BSB)“So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.”At Peor Israel joined in worshiping Baal, and the LORD's anger burned against them.
- Numbers 25:9 (BSB)“but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.”Those who died in the plague at Peor numbered 24,000.
General
True or False: In their reply, the eastern tribes called on the LORD as the God who knows the truth and said they should not be spared if they had acted in rebellion.
Answer: True
This is true. The eastern tribes replied by twice confessing the LORD as the Mighty One and as God. They said that He knew what they had intended, and Israel should know it too. If the altar had been built in rebellion or unfaithfulness, they said, Israel should not spare them, and the LORD Himself should hold them to account (22:22-23). They appealed to the God who sees the heart (Psalm 139:1; 1 Samuel 16:7), confident that their motive would stand up to His scrutiny.
- Joshua 22:22-23 (BSB)““The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today. If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice peace offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable.”The eastern tribes twice confess the LORD as God, call on Him as the One who knows, and ask not to be spared if guilty.
- Psalm 139:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.”The LORD searches and knows His people.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””The LORD looks on the heart, not on outward appearance.
Theological
True or False: In 22:22-23 the Transjordan tribes appeal to the LORD's knowledge of their motives and invite judgment if the altar was built in rebellion.
Answer: True
This is true. The eastern tribes open with a doubled confession of the LORD as the Mighty One and as God, appeal to His knowledge of their intent, and call for no mercy and for the LORD's own reckoning if the altar was an act of rebellion or unfaithfulness (22:22-23). Their defense rests on the omniscience of the God who searches hearts (Psalm 139:1; 1 Samuel 16:7), not merely on their own word.
- Joshua 22:22-23 (BSB)““The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today. If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice peace offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable.”The eastern tribes twice confess the LORD as God, call on Him as the One who knows, and ask not to be spared if guilty.
- Psalm 139:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.”The LORD searches and knows His people.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””The LORD looks on the heart, not on outward appearance.
General
True or False: When Joshua sent the eastern tribes home with great wealth, he told them to share the plunder taken from their enemies with their brothers.
Answer: True
This is true. Joshua blessed the eastern tribes and sent them home rich, with huge herds, silver and gold and other metals, and large amounts of clothing, and he told them to divide the plunder of their enemies with their brothers (22:6-8). A note in 22:7 recalls that Moses had given half of Manasseh land in Bashan, while Joshua gave the other half land west of the Jordan. Sharing what was won in battle had precedent in Israel: after the war with Midian the captives were divided between the soldiers and everyone else in Israel (Numbers 31:27), and David later ruled that the men left guarding the baggage would receive an equal portion with those who fought (1 Samuel 30:24).
- Joshua 22:6-8 (BSB)“So Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way, and they went to their homes. (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.) When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them, saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.””Joshua blesses the eastern tribes, sends them home with great wealth, and tells them to share the plunder.
- Numbers 31:27 (BSB)“Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.”After the war with Midian, the captives were divided between the soldiers and the rest of the congregation.
- 1 Samuel 30:24 (BSB)“Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.””David later ruled that those who stayed with the supplies would share alike with those who fought.
Theological
True or False: In 22:8 Joshua sends the eastern tribes home wealthy and instructs them to divide the spoil of their enemies with their brothers.
Answer: True
This is true. With a blessing, Joshua dismissed the Transjordan tribes, the tribes settled east of the Jordan, laden with livestock, gold and silver and other metals, and clothing, charging them to divide the plunder with their brothers (22:6-8); 22:7 notes the split inheritance of Manasseh, half granted Bashan by Moses and half given land west of the Jordan by Joshua. The instruction follows the pattern of shared spoil seen after the Midianite war (Numbers 31:27) and in David's later ruling that those who guarded the supplies share alike with those who fought (1 Samuel 30:24).
- Joshua 22:6-8 (BSB)“So Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way, and they went to their homes. (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.) When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them, saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.””Joshua blesses the eastern tribes, sends them home with great wealth, and tells them to share the plunder.
- Numbers 31:27 (BSB)“Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.”After the war with Midian, the captives were divided between the soldiers and the rest of the congregation.
- 1 Samuel 30:24 (BSB)“Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.””David later ruled that those who stayed with the supplies would share alike with those who fought.
General
For what did Joshua commend the two and a half eastern tribes (22:2-3)?
Answer: They had kept Moses' command and stood by their brothers to the end
These two and a half tribes had already received land east of the Jordan River from Moses, but they had agreed to send their fighting men across to help the other tribes win their land (Numbers 32:20-22; Deuteronomy 3:18-20). At the start of the book they promised Joshua to do whatever he commanded (1:16). Now Joshua praised them because they had done everything Moses and Joshua told them and had not abandoned their fellow Israelites during the long campaign, but had carried out the duty the LORD gave them (22:2-3). The text does not credit them with taking the most cities, building the tabernacle, or giving up their own land.
- Joshua 22:2-3 (BSB)“and told them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God.”Joshua tells the eastern tribes they obeyed Moses and him and never deserted their brothers.
- Numbers 32:20-22 (BSB)“Moses replied, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.”Moses had required their armed men to cross the Jordan until the land was subdued before they returned.
- Joshua 1:16 (BSB)“So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.”At the start of the campaign they had pledged to do all Joshua commanded.
- Deuteronomy 3:18-20 (BSB)“At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.””Moses had told them to fight ahead of their brothers until the LORD gave the others rest.
Theological
What does Joshua commend the Transjordan tribes for in 22:2-3?
Answer: They had kept Moses' command and stood by their brothers to the end
The Transjordan tribes, Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, had received their inheritance from Moses on the condition that their warriors cross over and fight until the conquest was complete (Numbers 32:20-22; Deuteronomy 3:18-20), and they had pledged full obedience to Joshua (1:16). Joshua now commends them for keeping that charge completely: they obeyed Moses and Joshua and never deserted their brothers throughout the long conquest (22:2-3). Their faithfulness is measured by covenant obedience, not by numbers of cities taken, gifts to the tabernacle, or forfeiting their own land.
- Joshua 22:2-3 (BSB)“and told them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God.”Joshua tells the eastern tribes they obeyed Moses and him and never deserted their brothers.
- Numbers 32:20-22 (BSB)“Moses replied, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.”Moses had required their armed men to cross the Jordan until the land was subdued before they returned.
- Joshua 1:16 (BSB)“So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.”At the start of the campaign they had pledged to do all Joshua commanded.
- Deuteronomy 3:18-20 (BSB)“At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.””Moses had told them to fight ahead of their brothers until the LORD gave the others rest.
General
What offer did the delegation make if the eastern tribes felt their land was unclean (22:19)?
Answer: Move west and settle among them near the LORD's tabernacle
The delegation made a generous offer: if the eastern tribes thought their land was unclean, unfit for the worship of God, they could come across to the LORD's own land, where His tabernacle stood, and take a share of land among the western tribes. Only they must not rebel by setting up an altar besides the LORD's altar (22:19). The tabernacle was the tent where God was worshiped, now set up at Shiloh (18:1), the place where offerings belonged (Deuteronomy 12:5-6). The western tribes were willing to give up some of their own land rather than see their brothers turn from the LORD. No fine, rebuilding, or Levitical service was demanded.
- Joshua 22:19 (BSB)“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.”If their land is unclean, the eastern tribes may cross to the LORD's land and take possession among the others.
- Joshua 18:1 (BSB)“Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,”The congregation had set up the Tent of Meeting at Shiloh, west of the Jordan.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-6 (BSB)“Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”Offerings were to be brought to the place the LORD would choose as a dwelling for His Name.
Theological
What did the delegation offer the eastern tribes in 22:19?
Answer: Move west and settle among them near the LORD's tabernacle
The western tribes offered to share their own inheritance: if the eastern land was unclean, the Transjordan tribes could cross to the LORD's own land, where His tabernacle stood at Shiloh (18:1), and settle among them, provided they did not build a rival altar (22:19). The offer shows their concern was for true worship at the one place the LORD had chosen (Deuteronomy 12:5-6), even at cost to themselves. No fine, relocation of towns, or Levitical service is mentioned.
- Joshua 22:19 (BSB)“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.”If their land is unclean, the eastern tribes may cross to the LORD's land and take possession among the others.
- Joshua 18:1 (BSB)“Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,”The congregation had set up the Tent of Meeting at Shiloh, west of the Jordan.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-6 (BSB)“Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”Offerings were to be brought to the place the LORD would choose as a dwelling for His Name.
General
What did Phinehas conclude after hearing the eastern tribes' explanation (22:30-31)?
Answer: That the LORD was among them, as no betrayal had occurred
Phinehas and the chiefs listened and were satisfied. Phinehas said that they now knew the LORD was present among them, because the eastern tribes had not been unfaithful to Him, and so the eastern tribes had delivered Israel from the LORD's judgment (22:30-31). The danger the delegation had feared, God's anger falling on everyone as at Peor (Numbers 25:11), did not come, because there had been no betrayal. The episode shows the wisdom of hearing a matter fully before acting (Proverbs 18:13, 17). Phinehas did not demand payment, order the altar destroyed, or accuse the western tribes of sin.
- Joshua 22:30-31 (BSB)“When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation—the heads of Israel’s clans who were with him—heard what the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied. Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him. Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.””Phinehas and the chiefs are satisfied, and Phinehas says the LORD is among them and Israel has been delivered.
- Proverbs 18:13 (BSB)“He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.”Answering a matter before hearing it is folly.
- Proverbs 18:17 (BSB)“The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.”The first to state a case seems right until another examines him.
- Numbers 25:11 (BSB)““Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.”God's wrath had once fallen on Israel at Peor until it was turned away.
Theological
What conclusion does Phinehas draw in 22:31?
Answer: That the LORD was among them, as no betrayal had occurred
Having heard the defense, Phinehas and the chiefs were satisfied (22:30), and Phinehas declared that the LORD was in their midst, since the eastern tribes had committed no breach of faith; by their faithfulness they had delivered Israel from the LORD's hand (22:31). The corporate judgment the delegation feared, like the wrath at Peor (Numbers 25:11), was averted because there was no apostasy. The account models hearing both sides before acting (Proverbs 18:13, 17). Phinehas imposes no penalty, orders no demolition, and lays no blame on the western tribes.
- Joshua 22:30-31 (BSB)“When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation—the heads of Israel’s clans who were with him—heard what the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied. Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him. Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.””Phinehas and the chiefs are satisfied, and Phinehas says the LORD is among them and Israel has been delivered.
- Proverbs 18:13 (BSB)“He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.”Answering a matter before hearing it is folly.
- Proverbs 18:17 (BSB)“The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.”The first to state a case seems right until another examines him.
- Numbers 25:11 (BSB)““Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.”God's wrath had once fallen on Israel at Peor until it was turned away.
General
Whom did Israel send to the eastern tribes about the altar (22:13-14)?
Answer: Phinehas, Eleazar's son, with ten chiefs
Before fighting, Israel sent a delegation: Phinehas, son of the priest Eleazar, along with ten chiefs, each tribe represented by the head of one of its families (22:13-14). Phinehas was known for his zeal for the LORD; years before, at Peor, his action had turned God's anger away from Israel and stopped a plague (Numbers 25:11; Psalm 106:30-31). Sending men to speak first fit the law's requirement to look into an accusation of turning from God carefully before acting (Deuteronomy 13:14). Joshua, Eleazar alone, and Caleb are not named as the messengers.
- Joshua 22:13-14 (BSB)“The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel.”Israel sends Phinehas son of Eleazar with ten chiefs, one from each tribe, to Gilead.
- Numbers 25:11 (BSB)““Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.”Phinehas had earlier turned God's wrath away from Israel through his zeal for the LORD.
- Psalm 106:30-31 (BSB)“But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. It was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.”Phinehas intervened at Peor and the plague was stopped, which was credited to him as righteousness.
- Deuteronomy 13:14 (BSB)“then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,”The law required careful inquiry before acting against a town accused of turning to other gods.
Theological
Who made up the delegation Israel sent to Gilead in 22:13-14?
Answer: Phinehas, Eleazar's son, with ten chiefs
Israel dispatched Phinehas, Eleazar's son, with ten chiefs, every tribe represented by a family head (22:13-14). Phinehas was a fitting choice: his zeal at Peor had turned the LORD's wrath from Israel and was counted as righteousness for him (Numbers 25:11; Psalm 106:30-31). The embassy also reflects the law's insistence on thorough inquiry before punitive action against apparent apostasy (Deuteronomy 13:14). Neither Joshua, Eleazar alone, nor Caleb led it.
- Joshua 22:13-14 (BSB)“The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel.”Israel sends Phinehas son of Eleazar with ten chiefs, one from each tribe, to Gilead.
- Numbers 25:11 (BSB)““Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.”Phinehas had earlier turned God's wrath away from Israel through his zeal for the LORD.
- Psalm 106:30-31 (BSB)“But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. It was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.”Phinehas intervened at Peor and the plague was stopped, which was credited to him as righteousness.
- Deuteronomy 13:14 (BSB)“then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,”The law required careful inquiry before acting against a town accused of turning to other gods.
General
True or False: Joshua released the eastern tribes to go home because the LORD had now granted the other tribes the rest He had promised.
Answer: True
This is true. Joshua told the eastern tribes they could go home to the land Moses had given them because the LORD had given the other tribes rest, peace from their enemies, just as He promised (22:4). This was the very condition set at the start of the book: the eastern fighters would help until the LORD gave their brothers rest and then go home (1:12-15). Hebrews later notes that this rest under Joshua was not the last word, since a Sabbath rest still awaits God's people (Hebrews 4:8-9).
- Joshua 22:4 (BSB)“And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.”Because the LORD has given their brothers rest, the eastern tribes may go home.
- Joshua 1:12-15 (BSB)“But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.””Joshua had told them they could return once the LORD gave their brothers rest.
- Hebrews 4:8-9 (BSB)“For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”The rest under Joshua was real, but a Sabbath rest still remains for God's people.
Theological
True or False: In 22:4 Joshua grounds the eastern tribes' release in the LORD's having granted the western tribes the promised rest.
Answer: True
This is true. The release of the Transjordan tribes rests on God's fulfilled promise: the LORD has given their brothers rest, so they may go home to the land Moses gave them (22:4). Joshua had restated this very term from Moses in 1:12-15. The rest itself, real though it was, pointed forward; Hebrews 4:8-9 reasons that had Joshua given the final rest, then God would not afterward have mentioned another day, and so a Sabbath rest still remains for God's people.
- Joshua 22:4 (BSB)“And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.”Because the LORD has given their brothers rest, the eastern tribes may go home.
- Joshua 1:12-15 (BSB)“But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.””Joshua had told them they could return once the LORD gave their brothers rest.
- Hebrews 4:8-9 (BSB)“For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”The rest under Joshua was real, but a Sabbath rest still remains for God's people.