King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:17 Mean?

Joshua 22:17 in the King James Version says “Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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,

Joshua 22:17 · KJV


Context

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.

19

Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day—The reference is to Numbers 25, where 24,000 Israelites died for worshiping Baal-Peor through sexual immorality with Moabite women. The Hebrew phrase "not cleansed" (לֹא טָהַרְנוּ, lo taharnu) suggests ongoing corporate guilt requiring continual covenant renewal.

Although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD—The plague (מַגֵּפָה, magephah) was stopped only by Phinehas's zealous action (Numbers 25:7-8), making it especially poignant that Phinehas himself leads this delegation. Having personally witnessed God's wrath against idolatry, he cannot tolerate another altar that might provoke divine judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Peor incident occurred approximately 40 years earlier, yet its trauma remained vivid. Phinehas received a covenant of perpetual priesthood for his zeal (Numbers 25:11-13), establishing his credibility as the leader of this investigation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should past failures inform present vigilance without creating a spirit of fear or suspicion?
  2. What does Phinehas's leadership demonstrate about those who have proven faithful in crisis being trusted in sensitive situations?
  3. How can we remember God's past judgments without becoming paranoid or divisive?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הַמְעַט1 of 16

too little

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

לָ֙נוּ֙2 of 16
H0
אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

עֲוֹ֣ן4 of 16

Is the iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

פְּע֔וֹר5 of 16

of Peor

H6465

peor, a mountain east of jordan in moab; baal peor, (for h1187) a deity worshipped there

אֲשֶׁ֤ר6 of 16
H834

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

לֹֽא7 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִטַּהַ֙רְנוּ֙8 of 16

for us from which we are not cleansed

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ9 of 16
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

עַ֖ד10 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם11 of 16

until 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

הַזֶּ֑ה12 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַיְהִ֥י13 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַנֶּ֖גֶף14 of 16

although there was a plague

H5063

a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)

בַּֽעֲדַ֥ת15 of 16

in the congregation

H5712

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

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

of 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 22:17 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 22:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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