Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Joshua 22
Joshua 22:5Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."
This is Joshua's parting charge, summarizing the core of Israel's covenant relationship with God: obedience rooted in wholehearted love and service.Joshua 22:16“Thus says the whole congregation of the Lord, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the Lord by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the Lord?
The western tribes' accusation reveals their deep fear of corporate sin, showing how the memory of past failures shaped their zeal for God's honor.Joshua 22:27but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the Lord in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, “You have no portion in the Lord.”
The eastern tribes explain their true motive: the altar was not for rebellion but for remembrance, a powerful symbol to ensure their children would never be cut off from their heritage.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Faithful Farewell
After years of fighting alongside their brethren to conquer Canaan, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are finally released from their vow. Joshua commends them for their faithfulness, blesses them, and sends them back to their designated lands on the east side of the Jordan River. Their departure from Shiloh marks a major transition, as the unified military campaign ends and the tribes begin to settle into their separate inheritances.
An Altar of Misunderstanding
As the eastern tribes reach the Jordan, they do something unexpected: they build a massive, imposing altar. News of this construction travels fast, and the tribes west of the Jordan are horrified. To them, a second altar is a blatant act of idolatry and rebellion, a direct violation of God's command to have a single, central place of worship at the Tabernacle. Fearing divine judgment on the whole nation, they gather their forces at Shiloh, preparing for a holy war against their own kin.
From Commendation to Near-Civil War
The chapter opens with a scene of unity and blessing at Shiloh, but the mood shifts dramatically as the eastern tribes journey home. What begins as a celebration of fulfilled promises quickly spirals into a national crisis. The story pivots on the construction of a single object - an altar by the Jordan - that carries two completely different meanings for the people on either side of the river.
Joshua's Blessing and Dismissal (Joshua 22:1-9)
1 At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
2 and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you.
3 You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God.
4 And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."
6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.
7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to their homes and blessed them,
8 saying, "Return to your tents with much wealth and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, and iron, and with much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers."
9 So the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home, parting from the people of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, their own land of which they had possessed themselves by command of the Lord through Moses.
Commentary:
After years of faithful service, Joshua blesses the eastern tribes and sends them home with honor.
The Altar and the Accusation (Joshua 22:10-12)
10 And when they came to the region of the Jordan that is in the land of Canaan, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, an altar of imposing size.
11 And the people of Israel heard it said, "Behold, the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel."
12 And when the people of Israel heard of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to make war against them.
Commentary:
The eastern tribes build a large altar, which the western tribes misinterpret as an act of rebellion, leading them to prepare for war.
The Confrontation (Joshua 22:13-20)
13 Then the people of Israel sent to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14 And with him ten chiefs, one from each of the tribal families of Israel, every one of them the head of a family among the clans of Israel.
15 And they came to the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, and they said to them,
16 “Thus says the whole congregation of the Lord, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the Lord by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the Lord?
17 Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves, and for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the Lord,
18 that you too must turn away this day from following the Lord? And if you too rebel against the Lord today then tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.
19 But now, if the land of your possession is unclean, pass over into the land of the Lord's possession, where the Lord's tabernacle stands, and take for yourselves a possession among us. Only do not rebel against the Lord or make us as rebels by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the Lord our God.
20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.
Commentary:
A delegation led by Phinehas confronts the eastern tribes, accusing them of rebellion and reminding them of past sins that angered God.
The Passionate Defense (Joshua 22:21-29)
21 Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh said in answer to the heads of the families of Israel,
22 "The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the Lord, do not spare us today"
23 that we have built this altar to turn away from following the Lord. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the Lord himself take vengeance.
24 No, but we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, ‘What have you to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?
25 For the Lord has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you, you people of Reuben and people of Gad. You have no portion in the Lord.” So your children might make our children cease to worship the Lord.
26 “Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,
27 but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the Lord in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, “You have no portion in the Lord.”
28 “Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,
29 “Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away this day from following the Lord by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle!”
Commentary:
The eastern tribes explain the altar is not for sacrifice but is a memorial to ensure future generations remember they are part of Israel.
Resolution and Relief (Joshua 22:30-34)
30 When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes.
31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the people of Manasseh, "Today we know that the Lord is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the Lord."
32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the chiefs, returned from the people of Reuben and the people of Gad in the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought back word to them.
33 And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel.
34 The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.”
Commentary:
The misunderstanding is cleared up, war is averted, and the altar is named "Witness" as a symbol of their shared faith.
Core Truths from the Jordan Altar
The Danger of Misjudging Motives
This chapter is a classic example of how quickly suspicion can poison relationships. The western tribes saw an action and immediately assigned the worst possible motive to it, nearly leading to a tragic war. It's a powerful reminder to seek understanding before passing judgment.
Zeal for God Must Be Paired with Wisdom
Both sides demonstrated a deep passion for honoring God. The western tribes were ready to go to war to prevent idolatry, while the eastern tribes built the altar to preserve their spiritual heritage. The story shows that while zeal is good, it must be guided by communication and wisdom to avoid causing unintended harm.
The Importance of Unity
The entire conflict revolved around the fear of being divided. The eastern tribes feared geographic separation would lead to spiritual separation. The crisis was resolved because, ultimately, both sides valued their identity as one people under one God more than they valued being right.
Creating Memorials of Faith
The altar was not for worship but for remembrance. It was a physical symbol meant to teach future generations about their connection to God and their community. This highlights the value of creating tangible reminders of our faith to help us and others remember what is true.
Lessons from a Misunderstood Altar
Joshua 22 urges you to pause before reacting. Instead of assuming the worst when someone's actions seem wrong, follow the example of the delegation and go to them directly to ask questions and listen to their perspective (Joshua 22:13-15). Unity is often preserved by choosing conversation over condemnation.
The eastern tribes built the altar because they knew memory is fragile (Joshua 22:27). You can apply this by creating your own 'altars' - journaling answered prayers, keeping meaningful photos, or establishing family traditions that celebrate God's work. These acts serve as powerful reminders for you and future generations of your identity in God.
The western tribes had zeal for God's law but lacked initial grace (Joshua 22:12). This story teaches that you can be passionate about what is right while still offering others the benefit of the doubt. True spiritual maturity holds truth and love together, speaking directly but also listening patiently.
Unity Preserved Through Understanding
Joshua 22 reveals that a shared commitment to God is not enough to guarantee unity. It must be accompanied by a shared commitment to understanding one another. The story shows how easily brothers in faith can turn on each other when suspicion replaces trust. The ultimate message is that community is fragile and must be protected through patient communication, a willingness to listen, and a grace that seeks to believe the best about others.
What This Means for Us Today
This ancient conflict invites us to look at our own relationships. Before building a case against someone in our minds, we are called to build a bridge of communication to them. Let us be a people who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and eager to preserve the unity God has given us.
- Is there a relationship where you have assumed the worst? How can you initiate a conversation to seek understanding this week?
- What 'altar of witness' can you build in your life to remind yourself and others of your connection to God?
- How can you model both a zeal for what is right and a deep grace for others in your community?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter details the distribution of towns to the Levites, setting the stage for the tribes to settle their lands and for the eastern tribes to be dismissed.
Following the resolution of this internal conflict, Joshua delivers his farewell address, calling all of Israel to remain faithful to the covenant.
Connections Across Scripture
This passage recounts the 'sin at Peor,' which Phinehas references as a reason for his deep concern over potential apostasy and its consequences for the whole nation.
The story of Achan's sin, also mentioned by Phinehas, provides the foundational example of how one person's disobedience can bring judgment upon the entire community.
Paul's call for believers to 'make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace' echoes the ultimate lesson of Joshua 22.
Discussion Questions
- When have you seen a misunderstanding escalate because people assumed the worst instead of communicating? How could the situation have been different?
- The eastern tribes built the altar out of a fear of being forgotten. What are some healthy ways we can ensure our faith and values are passed on to the next generation?
- Phinehas and the delegation were willing to listen to the explanation, which changed everything. Why is it sometimes so hard to truly listen to someone we disagree with, and what can help us do it better?
Glossary
places
Shiloh
A city in Canaan that served as the central sanctuary and gathering place for Israel before the temple was built in Jerusalem.
Gilead
A fertile region east of the Jordan River that was the inheritance of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Jordan River
The major river that formed the eastern border of the Promised Land of Canaan and was a significant geographical and symbolic boundary.
figures
theological concepts
Altar
A structure on which sacrifices were offered to God, which is why building an unauthorized one was considered a grave sin.
Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelled among the Israelites and where all official sacrifices were to be made.
Breach of faith
An act of unfaithfulness or betrayal against God, breaking the covenant relationship with Him.