King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:19 Mean?

Joshua 22:19 in the King James Version says “Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LOR... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 22:19 · KJV


Context

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.

20

Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.

21

Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse represents a remarkable moment of unity-seeking confrontation in Israel's history. The western tribes, led by Phinehas the priest, confront the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh) about the altar they built near the Jordan. The phrase "if the land of your possession be unclean" (im-tema admat ahuzatkhem) shows surprising pastoral sensitivity—perhaps their land east of Jordan is spiritually deficient, lacking God's special presence.

The offer "take possession among us" demonstrates covenant solidarity—better to share the promised land than allow division and idolatry. "The land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth" emphasizes God's special presence in the land west of Jordan where the tabernacle stood. The dual warning—"rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us"—equates rebellion against the covenant community with rebellion against God Himself.

The concern about building "an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God" reflects Deuteronomy's command for centralized worship at one sanctuary (Deuteronomy 12:13-14). Multiple altars could lead to syncretism and division. This passage demonstrates faithful confrontation motivated by love for God's glory and concern for brothers' souls—they confront firmly while offering gracious solutions. The eastern tribes' explanation (Joshua 22:21-29) reveals the altar was a memorial, not for sacrifice, preventing schism through honest communication.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This event occurred shortly after Israel's conquest of Canaan under Joshua (approximately 1400 or 1250 BCE, depending on dating). The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had requested land east of the Jordan (Numbers 32), promising to help conquer the west before returning home. After fulfilling this promise, they returned to their inheritance and built a conspicuous altar by the Jordan.

The western tribes' reaction must be understood against Israel's recent history. At Baal-Peor (Numbers 25), idolatry led to plague killing 24,000. Achan's sin at Jericho (Joshua 7) brought defeat and death. The mention of these events (Joshua 22:17-20) shows corporate accountability—one person's or tribe's sin affected the entire nation. The fragility of Israel's unity and faithfulness made vigilance necessary.

The Jordan River's significance as a boundary raised questions about whether the eastern tribes were fully part of Israel. Their altar was intended as a witness to their inclusion ("a witness between us and you, and our generations," v. 27), but appeared to the western tribes as apostasy. The peaceful resolution through dialogue rather than civil war demonstrates covenant love overcoming suspicion. This narrative established precedent for church discipline combining confrontation with gracious restoration, influencing Matthew 18's conflict resolution principles.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage model the balance between doctrinal faithfulness and pastoral sensitivity when confronting potential error?
  2. What does the offer to share land rather than tolerate false worship teach about the priority of spiritual unity over convenience?
  3. In what ways does corporate accountability (one member's sin affecting all) apply to the church today?
  4. How can modern Christians maintain unity while upholding truth, following the example of both confrontation and reconciliation in this passage?
  5. What principles for conflict resolution in the church can we derive from this narrative's emphasis on communication and clarification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְאַ֨ךְ1 of 31

Notwithstanding

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

אִם2 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

טְמֵאָ֜ה3 of 31

be unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

אֶ֨רֶץ4 of 31

if the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲחֻזַּ֤ת5 of 31

of the possession

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

עִבְר֨וּ6 of 31

then pass ye over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

לָכֶ֜ם7 of 31
H0
אֶל8 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֨רֶץ9 of 31

if the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲחֻזַּ֤ת10 of 31

of the possession

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

יְהוָ֥ה11 of 31

not against the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 31
H834

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

שָֽׁכַן13 of 31

dwelleth

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

שָׁם֙14 of 31
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִשְׁכַּ֣ן15 of 31

tabernacle

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w

יְהוָ֥ה16 of 31

not against the LORD

H3068

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

וְהֵאָֽחֲז֖וּ17 of 31

and take possession

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

בְּתוֹכֵ֑נוּ18 of 31

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

יְהוָ֥ה19 of 31

not against the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל20 of 31

nor

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּמְרֹ֔דוּ21 of 31

rebel

H4775

to rebel

וְאֹתָ֙נוּ֙22 of 31
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֶל23 of 31

nor

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּמְרֹ֔דוּ24 of 31

rebel

H4775

to rebel

בִּבְנֹֽתְכֶ֤ם25 of 31

against us in building

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לָכֶם֙26 of 31
H0
מִזְבַּ֖ח27 of 31

the altar

H4196

an altar

מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֔י28 of 31

beside

H1107

except, without, besides

מִזְבַּ֖ח29 of 31

the altar

H4196

an altar

יְהוָ֥ה30 of 31

not against the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃31 of 31

our 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


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 22:19 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 22:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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