Joshua 22 22

Joshua 22:22 kjv

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,)

Joshua 22:22 nkjv

"The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, He knows, and let Israel itself know?if it is in rebellion, or if in treachery against the LORD, do not save us this day.

Joshua 22:22 niv

"The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the LORD, do not spare us this day.

Joshua 22:22 esv

"The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today

Joshua 22:22 nlt

"The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows the truth, and may Israel know it, too! We have not built the altar in treacherous rebellion against the LORD. If we have done so, do not spare our lives this day.

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 22 Meaning

Joshua 22:22 is a profound and fervent declaration of innocence made by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to the rest of Israel. It serves as an emphatic oath, calling upon God, in His absolute power and covenant faithfulness, as a witness to their integrity. The tribes vehemently deny any intention of rebellion or treachery against the Lord in building an altar, expressing their desire for divine judgment if their act was indeed an act of apostasy, thereby demonstrating the seriousness of their commitment to true worship and their desperate plea for understanding and vindication.

Joshua 22 22 Context

Joshua chapter 22 recounts a critical moment of tension following Israel's conquest of Canaan and the distribution of land. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, whose inheritance was east of the Jordan, were returning to their homes after faithfully assisting the other tribes in the conquest. Before crossing the Jordan, they built a large, conspicuous altar. This act was immediately misinterpreted by the western tribes as a rebellion against the Lord and His covenant. According to the Law (Deut 12), all sacrifices were to be offered at the one central sanctuary designated by God. The western tribes, fearing God's wrath would fall upon all Israel (remembering the sin of Achan in Josh 7), dispatched a delegation led by Phinehas to confront the eastern tribes, accusing them of treachery and turning away from God. Joshua 22:22 is the opening, impassioned defense and solemn appeal by the accused tribes, responding to the grave accusation by calling upon God Himself to testify to their pure intentions and shared devotion to the one true God of Israel.

Joshua 22 22 Word analysis

• The Mighty One, God, the Mighty One, God, the Lord! (אֵל אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה, אֵל אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - El Elohim YHWH, El Elohim YHWH):

  • El (אֵל): Denotes God's strength, power, and might. It highlights His supreme ability and unique status as the Most High God.
  • Elohim (אֱלֹהִים): A plural noun used for God, conveying His majesty, sovereignty, and fullness. While plural in form, it refers to the singular, true God of Israel, emphasizing His divine nature and all-encompassing power.
  • YHWH (יְהוָה - Yahweh/LORD): The unique, covenantal, personal name of God, revealing His self-existence, faithfulness, and relationship with His people.
  • Significance of the repetition: The double recitation of "El Elohim YHWH" (The Mighty One, God, the LORD) serves as an extremely solemn and emphatic oath. It's a triadic naming of God (in two sets), invoking all aspects of God's being—His power, His majesty, and His covenant faithfulness—as witness. It's akin to an affidavit sworn before the highest divine court, emphasizing the absolute truthfulness and gravity of their subsequent declaration. This repetition underscores their deep reverence and total reliance on God's omniscient judgment.

• He knows, (הוּא יֹדֵעַ - hu yodea'):

  • Yodea' (יֹדֵעַ): From the verb "yada" (יָדַע), meaning to know, to understand, to perceive. Here, it implies deep, intimate, and comprehensive knowledge.
  • This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience, His ability to see not just actions but also motives, intentions, and the true state of the heart. The eastern tribes declare that God is privy to their innermost thoughts and the purpose behind building the altar.

• and may Israel itself know! (וְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא יֵדָע - w'Yisra'el hu yedah):

  • This parallel plea wishes that just as God knows their innocence, so too may the rest of Israel come to know and understand the truth of their motives, through divine revelation or through their steadfast demonstration of loyalty. It reflects their desire for public vindication and communal peace.

• If it was rebellion (אִם־בְּמֶרֶד - im b'mered):

  • Mered (מֶרֶד): Means rebellion, revolt, defection, or treason. This refers to an overt act of defiance against a superior authority, in this case, direct disobedience to God's Law and the established religious order.

• or perfidy (וְאִם־בְּמַעַל - w'im b'ma'al):

  • Ma'al (מַעַל): Refers to an act of treachery, unfaithfulness, trespass, or deceit, particularly in matters of sacred trust or cultic regulations. It implies a violation of covenant, often involving dishonesty or secret turning away from God. The term is used elsewhere for misappropriation of sacred things (Josh 7:1) or breach of marital fidelity (Num 5:27). The eastern tribes deny both overt rebellion and subtle, deceitful disloyalty.

• against the Lord, (בַּיהוָה - baYHWH):

  • Specifically clarifies that the "rebellion" or "perfidy" would be directed against YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, underlining the spiritual gravity of the accusation.

• do not save us this day! (אַל־תּוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה - al tosih'enu hayom hazeh!):

  • Al tosih'enu (אַל־תּוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ): Means "do not save us" or "do not deliver us." This is an imprecation or self-curse.
  • This extreme statement signifies their profound conviction of innocence. They are essentially saying, "If we are indeed guilty of such a heinous crime against God, then we deserve instant divine judgment and do not ask for salvation or deliverance." It demonstrates their unyielding loyalty to God and their absolute confidence that He would confirm their righteousness.

Joshua 22 22 Bonus section

• The phrasing of the self-imprecation ("do not save us") is a covenant formula, reminiscent of oaths where a person asks for divine retribution if they prove false. This reflects their deep understanding of covenant accountability.
• This verse sets the stage for open communication, allowing the western tribes to understand the true purpose of the altar as a "witness" (Josh 22:27-28), not for sacrifice. This prevents a potential civil war, underscoring the importance of seeking clarity over hasty judgment.
• The dramatic tension leading up to this verse and the tribes' passionate defense reflect how seriously violations of God's covenant were taken in ancient Israel. A lapse in one area was seen as potentially affecting the whole community through corporate solidarity.

Joshua 22 22 Commentary

Joshua 22:22 encapsulates a critical theological truth: God is omniscient, perceiving not just outward actions but the hidden intents of the heart. The eastern tribes, accused of gross sin (idolatry or illicit worship), appeal directly to God, whose knowledge is perfect and unimpeachable, to vindicate them. Their impassioned triple naming of God and the repetition signify the most serious oath, asserting their profound devotion and denying any hint of disloyalty. By declaring, "He knows," they submit themselves to the ultimate divine court. Their subsequent prayer, "If it was rebellion or perfidy against the Lord, do not save us this day!" is an act of spiritual courage and faith. It means they prefer immediate divine judgment and destruction if found guilty, rather than living under false accusation or violating their covenant with YHWH. This declaration not only asserts their innocence but also reaffirms their commitment to the singularity of Israel's worship, which must be directed solely to YHWH at His designated place. The entire episode highlights the potential for misinterpretation in religious actions and underscores the need for charity, discernment, and ultimately, reliance on God's perfect judgment.