Joshua 22:1

CHAPTER XXII

Joshua assembles, commends, blesses, and then dismisses the two

tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 1-8.

They return and build an altar by the side of Jordan, 9, 10.

The rest of the Israelites hearing of this, and suspecting that

they had built the altar for idolatrous purposes, or to make a

schism in the national worship, prepare to go to war with them,

11, 12;

but first send a deputation to know the truth, 13, 14.

They arrive and expostulate with their brethren, 15-20.

The Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, make a

noble defence, and show that their altar was built as a

monument only to prevent idolatry, 21-29.

The deputation are satisfied, and return to the ten tribes and

make their report, 30-32.

The people rejoice and praise God, 33;

and the Reubenites and Gadites call the altar they had raised

Ed, that it might be considered a witness between them and

their brethren on the other side Jordan, 34.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXII

Verse Joshua 22:1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, c.] We have already seen that 40,000 men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to their stipulation with Moses. The war being now concluded, Joshua assembles these warriors, and with commendations for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having first given them the most pious and suitable advices. They had now been about seven years absent from their respective families and though there was only the river Jordan between the camp at Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear that they had during that time ever revisited their own home, which they might have done any time in the year, the harvest excepted, as at all other times that river was easily fordable.