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?
This is what the entire community of the LORD says: What is this sin you have committed against the God of Israel? Why have you turned away from following the LORD today by building an altar for yourselves? Are you rebelling against the LORD today?
The Israelite community is confronting the eastern tribes about building an altar, believing they are turning away from God and rebelling against Him.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Joshua, after the Israelites had conquered much of the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh returned to their allocated territories east of the Jordan River. They built a large altar as a memorial to signify their shared faith and unity with the other tribes, but the western tribes mistakenly viewed this as an attempt to establish a rival worship site, leading to accusations of rebellion against God. This incident, as recorded in Joshua 22:16, underscores the tensions around proper worship and tribal unity in ancient Israel.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.