Joshua 22:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The centralization of worship was fundamental to Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 12:1-14). Unlike pagan nations with shrines at every high place, Israel's single sanctuary prevented syncretism and maintained pure worship. Unauthorized altars had resulted in divine judgment before—Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), the golden calf (Exodus 32), and Baal-Peor (Numbers 25). The western tribes' alarm was theologically justified—the entire community could suffer for one group's sin (Joshua 7:1-26, Achan's theft). The Jordan River crossing points were limited to specific fords, especially during non-flood seasons. A large altar at a major crossing would be impossible to miss—its visibility suggests the eastern tribes intended it as a witness (22:27-28), though the western tribes initially interpreted it as apostasy. The historical parallel to Jeroboam's later golden calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30) shows this fear wasn't paranoid—rival altars did eventually lead to Israel's division and idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- How quickly do you jump to worst-case interpretations when observing others' actions without understanding their motives or asking directly?
- What theological principles are worth defending zealously, even at risk of conflict, versus matters where misunderstanding should prompt conversation first?
- How can you balance doctrinal vigilance with charitable assumption toward fellow believers whose practices differ from yours?
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
The word "heard say" (shama leimor, שָׁמַע לֵאמֹר) introduces secondhand report, not eyewitness testimony—this becomes crucial to the conflict. The verb "behold" (hinneh, הִנֵּה) expresses surprise or alarm. The phrase "built an altar" (banu mizbeach, בָּנוּ מִזְבֵּחַ) triggers immediate crisis because Deuteronomy 12:4-14 explicitly forbade multiple altars—Israel must worship only at the place God chose (the tabernacle, then Jerusalem). An unauthorized altar suggested covenant rebellion and idolatry.
The location "over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan" is geographically ambiguous. Does it mean facing Canaan from the eastern side, or on the western Canaanite side facing eastward? This ambiguity fuels suspicion. "At the passage" (el gelilot haYarden, אֶל־גְּלִילוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן) suggests near a ford or crossing point—a highly visible location, which seems odd for secret idolatry but makes sense for a memorial (as 22:26-28 will explain).