Bible Commentaries
Joshua 22

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 22:1, The two tribes and a half with a blessing are sent home; Joshua 22:10, They build the altar of testimony in their journey; Joshua 22:11, The Israelites are offended thereat; Joshua 22:21, They vindicate their conduct, and give them good satisfaction.

Verse 1

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

Verse 2

Ye have: Numbers 32:20-29, Deuteronomy 3:16-20

obeyed: Joshua 1:12-18

Verse 3

Philippians 1:23-27

Reciprocal: Numbers 9:23 - they kept

Verse 4

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

Verse 5

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

Verse 6

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

Verse 7

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

Verse 8

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

Verse 9

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

Verse 10

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

Verse 11

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

Verse 12

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

Verse 13

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

Verse 14

chief house: Heb. house of the father

an head: Exodus 18:25, Numbers 1:4

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:21 - rulers of thousands

Verse 15

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

Verse 16

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

Verse 17

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

Verse 18

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

Verse 19

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

Verse 20

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

Verse 21

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

Verse 22

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

Verse 23

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

Verse 24

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

Verse 25

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

Verse 26

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:29 - to build Judges 6:24 - built Isaiah 19:19 - General

Verse 27

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

Verse 28

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

Verse 29

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

Verse 30

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

Verse 31

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

Verse 32

and brought: Joshua 22:12-14, Proverbs 25:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:25 - Phinehas

Verse 33

the thing: Joshua 22:30, Acts 15:12, Acts 15:31, 2 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8

blessed: 1 Samuel 25:32, 1 Samuel 25:33, 1 Chronicles 29:20, Nehemiah 8:5, Nehemiah 8:6, Daniel 2:19, Luke 2:28, Ephesians 1:3

Verse 34

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