Joshua 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.
Original Language Analysis
תָּשֻׁ֣בוּ
But that ye must turn away
H7725
תָּשֻׁ֣בוּ
But that ye must turn away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 16
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 #:
4 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בַּֽיהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 16
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
בַּֽיהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמָחָ֕ר
that to morrow
H4279
וּמָחָ֕ר
that to morrow
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֥ת
with the whole congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֥ת
with the whole congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
14 of 16
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
Cross References
Numbers 16:22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?Joshua 22:16Thus 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?
Historical Context
Ancient Israel understood itself as a corporate covenant entity, not merely individuals. One tribe's apostasy endangered the entire nation (Deuteronomy 29:18-21). This corporate accountability explains the urgency and fear in the delegation's appeal.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the New Testament principle of church discipline reflect this same concern for corporate purity (1 Corinthians 5:6-7)?
- Why is it loving, not legalistic, to confront potential sin that might bring judgment on the whole community?
- How do we balance individual liberty in Christ with corporate responsibility for the church's witness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel—This verse expresses the principle of corporate solidarity in covenant judgment. The Hebrew word for "wroth" (קָצַף, qatsaph) describes fierce divine anger that breaks out against the entire community for one group's sin (compare Joshua 7:1, "the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel" for Achan's individual sin).
The phrase "to day... to morrow" emphasizes the immediacy of divine response to covenant violation. The delegation fears that if the Transjordan tribes rebel today, judgment will fall on all Israel tomorrow—they are pleading for repentance to avert national catastrophe.