Joshua 22:16
Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה
H3541
כֹּ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
כֹּ֣ל׀
H3605
כֹּ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֣ת
the whole congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֣ת
the whole congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
4 of 22
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בַּֽיהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מָֽה
H4100
מָֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְעַלְתֶּם֙
is this that ye have committed
H4603
מְעַלְתֶּם֙
is this that ye have committed
Strong's:
H4603
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֣י
against the God
H430
בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֣י
against the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לָשׁ֣וּב
to turn away
H7725
לָשׁ֣וּב
to turn away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
13 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֖י
from following
H310
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֖י
from following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בַּֽיהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּבְנֽוֹתְכֶ֤ם
in that ye have builded
H1129
בִּבְנֽוֹתְכֶ֤ם
in that ye have builded
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
17 of 22
to build (literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
The Mosaic law mandated one legitimate altar at the tabernacle (later the temple) to prevent the syncretism that plagued the Canaanites. Multiple altars historically led to idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33, where Jeroboam's rival altars destroyed the northern kingdom).
Questions for Reflection
- How does concern for theological purity sometimes lead to misunderstanding brothers who share the same faith?
- What distinguishes righteous zeal for God's worship from destructive suspicion of fellow believers?
- How should we balance guarding orthodoxy with assuming the best about brothers' motives?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel—The Hebrew word for trespass (מַעַל, ma'al) denotes covenant unfaithfulness or treachery, the same term used for Achan's sin (Joshua 7:1). The accusation is grave: not merely a mistake, but covenant breaking.
To turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar—Deuteronomy 12:13-14 explicitly forbade multiple altars for sacrifice: "Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place... But in the place which the LORD shall choose." The delegation reasonably assumed this altar violated the centralized worship commanded by Moses, potentially establishing a rival worship center that would split the nation.