King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:11 Mean?

Joshua 22:11 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manas... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.

Joshua 22:11 · KJV


Context

9

And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

10

And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.

11

And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.

12

And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.

13

And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.

The word "heard say" (shama leimor, שָׁמַע לֵאמֹר) introduces secondhand report, not eyewitness testimony—this becomes crucial to the conflict. The verb "behold" (hinneh, הִנֵּה) expresses surprise or alarm. The phrase "built an altar" (banu mizbeach, בָּנוּ מִזְבֵּחַ) triggers immediate crisis because Deuteronomy 12:4-14 explicitly forbade multiple altars—Israel must worship only at the place God chose (the tabernacle, then Jerusalem). An unauthorized altar suggested covenant rebellion and idolatry.

The location "over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan" is geographically ambiguous. Does it mean facing Canaan from the eastern side, or on the western Canaanite side facing eastward? This ambiguity fuels suspicion. "At the passage" (el gelilot haYarden, אֶל־גְּלִילוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן) suggests near a ford or crossing point—a highly visible location, which seems odd for secret idolatry but makes sense for a memorial (as 22:26-28 will explain).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The centralization of worship was fundamental to Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 12:1-14). Unlike pagan nations with shrines at every high place, Israel's single sanctuary prevented syncretism and maintained pure worship. Unauthorized altars had resulted in divine judgment before—Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), the golden calf (Exodus 32), and Baal-Peor (Numbers 25). The western tribes' alarm was theologically justified—the entire community could suffer for one group's sin (Joshua 7:1-26, Achan's theft). The Jordan River crossing points were limited to specific fords, especially during non-flood seasons. A large altar at a major crossing would be impossible to miss—its visibility suggests the eastern tribes intended it as a witness (22:27-28), though the western tribes initially interpreted it as apostasy. The historical parallel to Jeroboam's later golden calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30) shows this fear wasn't paranoid—rival altars did eventually lead to Israel's division and idolatry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How quickly do you jump to worst-case interpretations when observing others' actions without understanding their motives or asking directly?
  2. What theological principles are worth defending zealously, even at risk of conflict, versus matters where misunderstanding should prompt conversation first?
  3. How can you balance doctrinal vigilance with charitable assumption toward fellow believers whose practices differ from yours?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיִּשְׁמְע֥וּ1 of 26

heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּנֵ֥י2 of 26

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃3 of 26

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵאמֹ֑ר4 of 26

say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֣ה5 of 26
H2009

lo!

בָנ֣וּ6 of 26

have built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בְּנֵ֥י7 of 26

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רְאוּבֵ֣ן8 of 26

of Reuben

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

בְּנֵ֥י9 of 26

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

גָ֡ד10 of 26

of Gad

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

וַֽחֲצִי֩11 of 26

and the half

H2677

the half or middle

שֵׁ֨בֶט12 of 26

tribe

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה13 of 26

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

אֶת14 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ15 of 26

an altar

H4196

an altar

אֶל16 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מוּל֙17 of 26

over against

H4136

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite

אֶ֣רֶץ18 of 26

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן19 of 26

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

אֶל20 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גְּלִילוֹת֙21 of 26

in the borders

H1552

a circuit or region

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן22 of 26

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

אֶל23 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵ֖בֶר24 of 26

at the passage

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

בְּנֵ֥י25 of 26

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃26 of 26

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 22:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 22:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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