King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:16 Mean?

Joshua 22:16 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, t...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 22:16 · KJV

Context

14

And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. chief: Heb. house of the father

15

And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,

16

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?

17

Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,

18

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.

Read Joshua 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel—The Hebrew word for trespass (מַעַל, ma'al) denotes covenant unfaithfulness or treachery, the same term used for Achan's sin (Joshua 7:1). The accusation is grave: not merely a mistake, but covenant breaking.

To turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar—Deuteronomy 12:13-14 explicitly forbade multiple altars for sacrifice: "Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place... But in the place which the LORD shall choose." The delegation reasonably assumed this altar violated the centralized worship commanded by Moses, potentially establishing a rival worship center that would split the nation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Mosaic law mandated one legitimate altar at the tabernacle (later the temple) to prevent the syncretism that plagued the Canaanites. Multiple altars historically led to idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33, where Jeroboam's rival altars destroyed the northern kingdom).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does concern for theological purity sometimes lead to misunderstanding brothers who share the same faith?
  2. What distinguishes righteous zeal for God's worship from destructive suspicion of fellow believers?
  3. How should we balance guarding orthodoxy with assuming the best about brothers' motives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כֹּ֣ה1 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָֽמְר֞וּ2 of 22

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֣ל׀3 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲדַ֣ת4 of 22

“the whole congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

בַּֽיהוָֽה׃5 of 22

“against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מָֽה6 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הַמַּ֤עַל7 of 22

“What trespass”

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

הַזֶּה֙8 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֤ר9 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מְעַלְתֶּם֙10 of 22

“is this that ye have committed”

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֣י11 of 22

“against the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל12 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לָשׁ֣וּב13 of 22

“to turn away”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הַיּ֖וֹם14 of 22

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֖י15 of 22

“from following”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

בַּֽיהוָֽה׃16 of 22

“against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בִּבְנֽוֹתְכֶ֤ם17 of 22

“in that ye have builded”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לָכֶם֙18 of 22
H0
מִזְבֵּ֔חַ19 of 22

“you an altar”

H4196

an altar

לִמְרָדְכֶ֥ם20 of 22

“that ye might rebel”

H4775

to rebel

הַיּ֖וֹם21 of 22

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בַּֽיהוָֽה׃22 of 22

“against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 22:16 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 22:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 12:13-14

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