Joshua 22:21-34
Summary for Josh 22:21-34: 22:21-34 a The eastern tribes defended their action.22:22 b The Lord ... is God! The two-fold repetition of this dramatic affirmation indicated how shocked the eastern tribes were when accused of rebellion.
22:23 c The eastern tribes swore by the name of the Lord that they were not guilty.
• The instructions for sacrifices prescribed burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings (Lev 1–3 d). At this time, Israel’s worship was centered at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. To offer sacrifices anywhere but the central sanctuary was a violation of God’s covenant.
Summary for Josh 22:24-29: 22:24-29 e The eastern tribes feared exclusion from Israel at a later time because the Jordan River divided them from the western tribes.
22:27 f The altar near the bank of the Jordan would stand as a memorial (literally witness) through the generations that the eastern tribes were also part of Israel.
22:28 g This altar was a copy, intended to be seen, not used.
22:31 h you have rescued: In his reply to the eastern tribes, Phinehas used very similar language to the words God had spoken when Phinehas turned God’s anger from Israel at Peor (Num 25:11 i).
22:33 j Both the eastern and western tribes were relieved that the crisis had been averted, and they joyfully praised God to renew their affirmation of national unity in faithfulness to God.
22:34 k Witness: Hebrew texts that include this word interpret the last statement as an explanation of the name. Texts that omit the word understand the last quotation to be the name of the altar.
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