Joshua 22:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 22:21-29

We may suppose there was a general convention called of the princes and great men of the separate tribes, to give audience to these ambassadors; or perhaps the army, as it came home, was still encamped in a body, and not yet dispersed; however it was, there were enough to represent the two tribes and a half, and to give their sense. Their reply to the warm remonstrance of the ten tribes is very fair and ingenuous. They do not retort their charge, upbraid them with the injustice and unkindness... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:23

That we have built us an altar, to turn from following the Lord ,.... That is, we desire, as we deserve, to be cut to pieces, and not saved, if it should appear to be our view, in building this altar, to revolt from the pure worship of God: or if to offer thereon burnt offering, or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings ; even to the Lord himself: they declare that as they had no design to apostatize from God, and worship idols, so it was not their intention to offer any kind of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:1-34

Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh at home. Three points are especially noticeable in this chapter. First, the reward of those who have laboured on behalf of their brethren; next, the duty of claiming our privileges as Christians when severed from our brethren; and lastly, the necessity of zeal for the purity of religion. I. SELF DENIAL SHALL HAVE ITS REWARD . Our Lord tells us that he who gives a cup of cold water to his brother shall not lose his reward. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:10-34

Misunderstandings among good people. Bitter contention often arises from simple misunderstanding. The Israelites were on the verge of a civil war as a result of a simple mistake of judgment. Much unhappiness might be avoided if the lessons of this incident were well considered by Christian people. I. CONSIDER THE INCIDENT IN RELATION TO THE TRANS - JORDANIC TRIBES . They erected an altar of witness which was supposed by their brethren to be an altar of sacrifice, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:21-34

Its Vindication The Reubenites and Gadites easily vindicate their conduct. They have had no intention of setting up a rival altar, for they do not mean to offer any sacrifices except in the place appointed by God. Their altar is to be simply a memorial. They have built it under a sort of apprehension that possibly, in times to come, their children might be led, in ungrateful forgetfulness of the past, to forsake the Lord and His service. The Reubenites and Gadites teach us a wholesome... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:23

Let the Lord himself require it. Or, the Lord, He shall exact, i.e; the penalty. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 22:23-25

Joshua 22:23-25. Let the Lord himself require it That is, call us to an account and punish us for it. What have you to do with the Lord You have no relation to him, nor interest in him, or his worship. The Lord hath made Jordan a border To shut you out of the land of promise, and consequently from the covenant made between God and our fathers. Ye have no part in the Lord Nothing to do with him; no right to serve him or expect favour from him. Cease from fearing the Lord For they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:1-34

Settlement of the eastern tribes (22:1-34)Now that the territory west of Jordan had been conquered and divided among the nine and a half tribes, the other two and a half tribes were free to return to their inheritance east of Jordan. Joshua commended them for being faithful to their word in helping their brothers conquer Canaan (22:1-4; cf. Deuteronomy 32:16-32), and warned them to remain true to God in their new homeland (5). He then sent them back to their families with his blessing (6-9).The... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 22:23

offer = offer up. See App-43 . offer make ready. App-43 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 22:23-25

Ver. 23-25. What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel? &c.— Not satisfied with justifying themselves from the crime imputed to them, of having dared to erect a new altar, to rival, as it were, the holy altar: not content with having submitted in that case to whatever the most formidable judgment of divine vengeance might inflict, let the Lord himself require it; (see Deuteronomy 18:19.) the accused candidly explain what were their views in the step which had alarmed the other tribes;... read more

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