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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a crucial misunderstanding: the accusers aren't just worried about a new altar; they're deeply afraid of repeating past national disasters like the sin at Peor, where one person's rebellion brought wrath upon everyone. The emphasis isn't solely on disobedience, but on the profound risk that any departure from unified worship could again invite widespread divine judgment.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The entire Israelite community has just discovered that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had settled east of the Jordan River, have built a massive altar. This action is immediately viewed as a potential act of rebellion against God and a violation of their covenant, leading the other tribes to gather at Shiloh, ready to wage war against their own kinsmen. Phinehas, the priest, is sent with a delegation to confront them, demanding an explanation and warning of severe consequences if they have indeed turned away from the Lord.
When the people of Israel heard about the altar built by the Reubenites and Gadites, their immediate reaction was to prepare for war. What was so alarming about this structure?
The construction of a second altar across the Jordan River, though intended as a memorial, was seen as a severe threat to the unity of Israel's worship. The Law was explicit: God was to be worshipped at one central sanctuary (Deuteronomy 12:5-13). Building another altar, especially in proximity to the Jordan, looked like a deliberate move toward division and potentially idolatry. The community rightly feared that this act could pollute God's pure worship and open the door to further deviations from His commands, recalling past national disasters like the sin at Peor and Achan's transgression, which brought judgment upon the entire nation.
The tribes who heard about the altar were ready for battle, fueled by 'holy zeal.' But were they right to rush to judgment?
While the desire to defend God's honor is commendable, the initial reaction of the ten tribes demonstrates the danger of acting without full understanding. They were inflamed with righteous anger, fearing sacrilege and the destruction of unity. However, they moved towards war before fully investigating the intentions of their brethren. This highlights a critical balance: it's vital to protect the purity of worship, but it's equally important to approach suspected wrongdoing with grace, seeking to understand before condemning. The swiftness of their judgment could have led to a devastating civil war, had they not first sent messengers to inquire.
Ask a follow-up
Phinehas and the leaders warned the Reubenites and Gadites: 'Tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.' How can one group's actions imperil everyone?
This warning underscores a profound theological truth about the interconnectedness of God's people. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel functioned as a single covenant unit before God. The sin of individuals or specific tribes was not seen as isolated but as a potential stain on the entire community, jeopardizing God's favor and bringing His judgment upon all. The reference to the sin of Peor and Achan’s transgression served as stark reminders of this reality. Their rebellion, viewed as turning away from the LORD's prescribed worship, was seen as a threat to the covenant, and thus potentially bringing God's 'wrath' not just on the perpetrators, but on the entire 'congregation.' This emphasizes that faithfulness is a communal responsibility.
Understand the original words
anaph · Hebrew Verb
The manifest displeasure or righteous judgment of God against sin and disobedience.
This verse comes from a moment of intense misunderstanding and potential civil war, highlighting the deep anxiety over religious unity and the fear of God's wrath should that unity be broken after such a hard-won conquest.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites complete their conquest of the Promised Land, dividing it among the twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Eastern Tribes Settle Land
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh are granted their inheritance east of the Jordan River, distinct from the main land of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Altar Construction by Eastern Tribes
After the conquest, the eastern tribes build a large, prominent altar near the Jordan River on the western side, bordering Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Congregation Gathers at Shiloh
Upon hearing of the altar, the other tribes gather at Shiloh, the central sanctuary, ready to wage war against their brethren for suspected rebellion against God.
c. 1400 BC
Deputation Sent to Eastern Tribes
Phinehas the priest leads a delegation to the eastern tribes to investigate the altar's purpose and prevent a civil war.
c. 1400 BC
Reconciliation and Understanding
The eastern tribes explain the altar is a memorial, not for sacrifice, and the tribes reconcile, averting war and preserving unity.
This passage details the devastating consequences of Israel's sin at Baal-Peor, serving as a stark reminder of what happens when a community turns away from God, which the priests invoke in Joshua 22 to emphasize the gravity of the trans-Jordanic tribes' actions.
Joshua 7:1-26The story of Achan's sin and its repercussions for the entire congregation highlights the interconnectedness of Israel and how the sin of one individual or group could bring wrath upon all, a parallel drawn by the priests in Joshua 22 to explain why their actions could endanger the whole nation.
Deuteronomy 12:5-18This passage from Deuteronomy outlines God's command for Israel to worship Him at a single, chosen place, making the building of a separate altar by the tribes east of the Jordan a direct violation of God's instituted worship and a cause for concern.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12Paul reflects on Israel's history, including their transgressions and God's judgment, cautioning believers not to become conceited but to remember these examples, which resonates with the fear expressed in Joshua 22 that continued rebellion could lead to God's wrath on the whole community.
calvinJoshua 22:10-20: "And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to."
And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
Devenerunt autem ad limites Jordanis qui er…
bensonJoshua 22:18: "But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel."
Joshua 22:18 . But ye must turn away this day — Commit more sins of that nature. For whether they intended to worship other gods, or to worship the God of Israel in a manner he did not allow, it was idolatry, in the judgment of Phinehas. Ye rebel to-day, to-morrow he will be wroth — That is, s…
This verse highlights a crucial misunderstanding: the accusers aren't just worried about a new altar; they're deeply afraid of repeating past national disasters like the sin at Peor, where one person's rebellion brought wrath upon everyone. The emphasis isn't solely on disobedience, but on the profound risk that any departure from unified worship could again invite widespread divine judgment.
The entire Israelite community has just discovered that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had settled east of the Jordan River, have built a massive altar. This action is immediately viewed as a potential act of rebellion against God and a violation of their covenant, leading the other tribes to gather at Shiloh, ready to wage war against their own kinsmen. Phinehas, the priest, is sent with a delegation to confront them, demanding an explanation and warning of severe consequences if they have indeed turned away from the Lord.
The entire Israelite community has just discovered that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had settled east of the Jordan River, have built a massive altar. This action is immediately viewed as a potential act of rebellion against God and a violation of their covenant, leading the other tribes to gather at Shiloh, ready to wage war against their own kinsmen. Phinehas, the priest, is sent with a delegation to confront them, demanding an explanation and warning of severe consequences if they have indeed turned away from the Lord.
"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." — This verse highlights a crucial misunderstanding: the accusers aren't just worried about a new altar; they're deeply afraid of repeating past national disasters like the sin at Peor, where one person…
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Last reviewed October 2026