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?

JOSHUA 22:16KJV
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Joshua 22:16 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:16 mean?

Joshua 22:16 records the leaders of Israel confronting the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, accusing them of committing a serious offense against God by building an altar, which they see as an act of rebellion against the LORD. The verse expresses the concern that building this altar means turning away from following God and breaking unity with the rest of Israel.

In this scene, representatives from the main body of Israel speak to the eastern tribes, who had settled across the Jordan River. The leaders fear that the new altar is a sign that these tribes are separating themselves from the worship of the LORD (H3068, Yahweh) at the central sanctuary, which could threaten the unity and faithfulness of the whole nation. The verse highlights the seriousness with which Israel viewed loyalty to God and the dangers of actions that could be seen as disobedience or division.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:16

  • "Trespass" (מַעַל, ma‘al): This word refers to a serious breach of trust or faithfulness, especially in relation to God. Here, it underlines that the leaders see the altar as more than a mistake—it is a betrayal.
  • "Congregation" (עֵדָה, ‘edah): This term means the whole assembly or community of Israel. The verse stresses that the concern is not just from a few people, but from the entire nation.
  • "Rebel" (מָרַד, marad): This word means to revolt or rise up against authority. The leaders interpret the building of the altar as an act of rebellion, not just a misunderstanding.
  • "Altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): The altar is a central place for worship and sacrifice. Building another altar outside the main sanctuary could be seen as setting up a rival place of worship, which was forbidden.

Why Joshua 22:16 matters

  • This verse shows how seriously Israel took the unity of worship and obedience to God, fearing that even the appearance of division could bring trouble on the whole nation.
  • It helps explain the tension in the chapter: the leaders act quickly to confront what they see as a threat, showing the importance of communication and clarification among God’s people.
  • The verse sets up the explanation that follows, where the eastern tribes clarify their intentions, highlighting the need to seek understanding before making judgments.

Where else these words appear

“rebel” Hebrew H4775 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 14:4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

“trespass” Hebrew H4604 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • Joshua 22:22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD,(save us not this day,)
  • Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

“committed” Hebrew H4603 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 5:25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
  • Ezra 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.