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.

JOSHUA 22:18KJV
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Joshua 22:18 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:18 mean?

Joshua 22:18 warns that turning away from following the LORD and rebelling against Him will bring His anger not just on the individuals involved, but on the entire community of Israel. The verse stresses that disobedience today can bring consequences for everyone as soon as tomorrow.

In this verse, leaders from the main tribes of Israel are speaking to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The setting is a tense moment: the eastern tribes have built an altar by the Jordan River, and the rest of Israel fears this is an act of rebellion against God. The leaders remind them that turning from the LORD (Yahweh) and rebelling (the Hebrew word carries the sense of a stubborn refusal to obey) endangers the whole nation, not just those directly involved.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:18

  • "Rebel" (מָרַד, marad): This word means to deliberately resist or refuse to obey. Here, it highlights that the concern is not a minor mistake, but a serious act of defiance against God's commands.
  • "Wroth" (קָצַף, qatsaf): This word means to be angry or enraged. The verse uses it to stress that God's anger can be swift and affect the entire "congregation" (עֵדָה, edah), meaning all of Israel, not just the offenders.

Why Joshua 22:18 matters

  • Joshua 22:18 clarifies that in Israel’s covenant community, the actions of a few can bring consequences on everyone, showing the seriousness of collective responsibility.
  • The verse connects to earlier stories where Israel suffered as a whole because of the sin of individuals, reminding the people of the importance of staying faithful together.
  • This warning helps explain the intensity of the leaders’ reaction and sets the stage for the eastern tribes’ explanation in the following verses.

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.

“wroth” Hebrew H7107 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
  • Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
  • Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

“morrow” Hebrew H4279 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
  • 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

“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.