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.
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
Ye have . Numbers 32 . 20-29, Deuteronomy 3 . 16-20
obeyed . Joshua 1 . 12-18
Philippians 1 . 23-27
Reciprocal . Numbers 9 . 23 . they kept
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
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 , Psalm 106 . 3 , Psalm 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
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
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
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 , Psalm 68 . 12
Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 3 . 20 . return Deuteronomy 20 . 14 . thou shalt eat Joshua 22 . 6 . General 1 Chronicles 5 . 9 . because
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 , Psalm 60 . 7
Reciprocal . Numbers 32 . 22 . ye shall Joshua 18 . 1 . Shiloh Joshua 21 . 44 . General 1 Chronicles 5 . 9 . because
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
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
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
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 , Psalm 106 . 30 , Psalm 106 . 31 , Proverbs 25 . 9-13
Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 6 . 4 . Phinehas Ezra 7 . 5 . Phinehas
chief house . Heb. house of the father
an head . Exodus 18 . 25 , Numbers 1 . 4
Reciprocal . Exodus 18 . 21 . rulers of thousands
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 , Psalm 78 . 8 , Isaiah 63 . 10
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
Is the iniquity . Numbers 25 . 3 , Numbers 25 . 4-18 , Deuteronomy 4 . 3 , Deuteronomy 4 . 4 , Psalm 106 . 28 , Psalm 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
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
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
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
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
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 , Psalm 82 . 1 , Psalm 95 . 3 , Psalm 97 . 7 , Psalm 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 , Psalm 7 . 3 , Psalm 44 . 21 , Psalm 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 . Psalm 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 , Psalm 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 Psalm 50 . 1 . mighty Psalm 89 . 8 . O Lord Amos 3 . 13 . the Lord 1 Corinthians 13 . 6 . rejoiceth
let the Lord . Genesis 9 . 4 , Deuteronomy 18 . 19 , 1 Samuel 20 . 16 , 2 Chronicles 24 . 22 , Psalm 10 . 13 , Psalm 10 . 14 , Ezekiel 3 . 18 , Ezekiel 33 . 6 , Ezekiel 33 . 8
Reciprocal . Joshua 22 . 29 . to build Job 31 . 22 . let Psalm 44 . 21 . knoweth
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 . Psalm 78 . 6 . who
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 Psalm 78 . 6 . who
Reciprocal . Joshua 22 . 29 . to build Judges 6 . 24 . built Isaiah 19 . 19 . General
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
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
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
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
the Lord is . Joshua 3 . 10 , Leviticus 26 . 11 , Leviticus 26 . 12 , Numbers 14 . 41-43 , 2 Chronicles 15 . 2 , Psalm 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
and brought . Joshua 22 . 12-14 , Proverbs 25 . 13
Reciprocal . Exodus 6 . 25 . Phinehas
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
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