Keraia
Joshua 22

Joshua 22:11

The Altar of Witness · Joshua 22:9–34
Read Joshua 22

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
Literal
And the sons of Israel heard it said, “Behold, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar over against the border of the land of Canaan in the region of the Jordan on the side of the sons of Israel.”
Latin
Quod cum audissent filii Israël, et ad eos certi nuntii detulissent, ædificasse filios Ruben, et Gad, et dimidiæ tribus Manasse, altare in terra Chanaan, super Jordanis tumulos, contra filios Israël:

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

Joshua 22:11

The Israelites (literally the sons of Israel): This refers to those given land west of the Jordan River, in Canaan. They already called themselves Israel, excluding the tribes east of the Jordan River.

Joshua 22:10–20

Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built their own altar, which caused a conflict with the rest of Israel.

Joshua 22:1–34

Joshua first said goodbye to the tribes east of the Jordan River when he sent them home. As usual, he urged them to remain loyal to God.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Altars

People

Gad: Israelite tribe; descended from Gad, son of Jacob Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Altar Ammon, Ammonites Edh Gad, Tribe of Joshua, Book of Manasseh, Tribe of Shiloh Tribe of Dan Witness, Altar of

Topics

Gad: Erect a Monument to Signify the Unity of the Tribes East of the Jordan River with the Tribes West of the River Haste in Judgment, by Moses and the Israelites Misjudgment of the Reubenites and Gadites Motive: Misunderstood: when They Built the Memorial Prudence: The Israelites, in the Threatened War with the Two and One-Half Tribes Religious Zeal in Punishing Evil People: Israelites Reubenites: Unite with the Other Tribes in Building a Monument the Tribe of Gad: Assisted in Building the Altar of Witness Which Excited The the Tribe of Reuben: Assisted in Building the Altar of Witness Which offended The Uncharitableness: The Tribes West of the Jordan River Toward the Two and a Half Tribes War: Averted War: Counsels of