22:1-34

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Settlement of the eastern tribes

(Josh 22:1-34)

Now that the territory west of Jordan had been conquered and divided among the nine and a half tribes, the other two and a half tribes were free to return to their inheritance east of Jordan.

Joshua commended them for being faithful to their word in helping their brothers conquer Canaan (Josh 22:1-4; cf. Deut 32:16-32), and warned them to remain true to God in their new homeland (Josh 22:5). He then sent them back to their families with his blessing (Josh 22:6-9).

The eastern tribes expressed their loyalty to God and their unity with their brothers in Canaan by building an altar (Josh 22:10).

But the western tribes misunderstood their action. They saw it as a sign not of unity, but of division.

They thought the eastern tribes were rebelling against God and corrupting the religion he had given them (Josh 22:11-20).

In response the eastern tribes explained that they were not setting up an independent religion. On the contrary they wanted to demonstrate that they shared the same faith as their brothers across the river (Josh 22:21-25).

They had not built the altar to offer sacrifices. They had built it solely for the purpose of reminding their descendants that they were part of Israel and worshipped the same God as their fellow Israelites (Josh 22:26-29).

This explanation satisfied the western tribes and peace was restored. The eastern tribes even gave the altar a special name to ensure that they never forgot its significance. They were bound to Yahweh, their covenant Lord (Josh 22:30-34).