Joshua 22:15

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

And they came {H935} unto the children {H1121} of Reuben {H7205}, and to the children {H1121} of Gad {H1410}, and to the half {H2677} tribe {H7626} of Manasseh {H4519}, unto the land {H776} of Gilead {H1568}, and they spake {H1696} with them, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

They came to the descendants of Re'uven, the descendants of Gad and the half-tribe of M'nasheh in the land of Gil'ad and spoke with them; they said,

Berean Standard Bible

They went to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead and said to them,

American Standard Version

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,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 22:15 marks the critical juncture where a high-level delegation from the western Israelite tribes arrives in the land of Gilead to confront the eastern tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This arrival sets the stage for a dramatic, nation-defining dialogue, prompted by the western tribes' grave concern that the eastern tribes' construction of a large altar by the Jordan River was an act of rebellion against Yahweh and His prescribed central sanctuary, threatening the unity and covenant faithfulness of the entire Israelite nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 22:15 is situated at a pivotal point in the post-conquest narrative, immediately following the eastern tribes' dismissal by Joshua after fulfilling their vow to aid in the conquest of Canaan ([Joshua 22:1-6](/joshua/22-1 "Joshua 22:1-6 - Joshua's Dismissal of the Eastern Tribes")). Upon their return journey, these tribes built a large, conspicuous altar by the Jordan River ([Joshua 22:10](/joshua/22-10 "Joshua 22:10 - The Altar by the Jordan")). This act was gravely misinterpreted by the western tribes, who feared it was an illicit rival sanctuary, a direct violation of the Mosaic Law requiring a single place of worship ([Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-7 - The Central Sanctuary")). Their concern escalated to the brink of civil war, but before launching an attack, they wisely dispatched a delegation led by Phinehas, the high priest's son, and ten tribal princes ([Joshua 22:13-14](/joshua/22-13 "Joshua 22:13-14 - The Delegation Sent")). Verse 15 details the delegation's arrival in Gilead, poised to deliver their accusation and demand an explanation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the immediate aftermath of Israel's conquest of Canaan and their settlement in the promised land, with the Jordan River serving as a significant geographical and, at times, symbolic boundary. The Deuteronomic law, central to Israelite identity and worship, strictly mandated a single, central place for sacrifice and worship to prevent syncretism and maintain national unity under Yahweh ([Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Laws Concerning Worship")). Any deviation from this command was considered a grave act of apostasy, potentially incurring divine wrath upon the entire community, as seen in the corporate punishment for Achan's sin ([Joshua 7:1-5](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1-5 - Achan's Sin")) or the incident at Peor ([Numbers 25:1-9](/numbers/25-1 "Numbers 25:1-9 - The Incident at Peor")). The dispatch of a high-level delegation, including the high priest's son, underscores the extreme seriousness of the perceived offense and the cultural importance of diplomatic resolution before resorting to warfare among brethren.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **unity and solidarity of Israel** as a single covenant people. The western tribes' fear stemmed from a deep-seated concern for the spiritual and national cohesion of all twelve tribes, emphasizing that an offense by one part could affect the whole. Secondly, it underscores the critical importance of **covenant faithfulness** to Yahweh and adherence to His prescribed worship. The perceived violation of the central sanctuary law was seen as a direct breach of their covenant with God, potentially leading to divine judgment. Lastly, the narrative powerfully illustrates the **value of communication and conflict resolution**. The decision to send a delegation for dialogue, rather than immediately resorting to war, demonstrates a profound commitment to understanding and reconciliation, preventing a potentially devastating civil conflict rooted in misunderstanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Came (Hebrew, _bo'_):** The verb `bo'` (בּוֹא) signifies a purposeful arrival, not a casual visit. In this context, it emphasizes the deliberate and official nature of the delegation's journey. They "came" with a specific mission, loaded with grave concerns and prepared for a serious confrontation, highlighting the weight of their diplomatic task.
* **Spake (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** The verb `dabar` (דָּבַר) often denotes formal, authoritative speech, distinct from casual conversation. The phrase "they spake with them, saying" (וַיְדַבְּרוּ אִתָּם לֵאמֹר) indicates that the ensuing dialogue would be a weighty address, a formal presentation of accusations and demands for explanation, rather than an informal chat. This sets a serious tone for the impending confrontation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh":** This identifies the two parties involved in the impending confrontation. "They" refers to the delegation from the western tribes (specifically, Phinehas and the ten princes), representing the collective concern of the majority of Israel. The recipients of this visit are the eastern tribes, whose actions (building the altar) have provoked this crisis, setting the stage for a direct, face-to-face encounter.
* **"unto the land of Gilead":** This specifies the geographical location of the meeting. Gilead was the territory east of the Jordan River, which had been allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Its mention highlights the physical and symbolic separation of these tribes from the main body of Israel in Canaan, a separation that contributed to the misunderstanding regarding the altar's purpose.
* **"and they spake with them, saying,":** This phrase marks the initiation of the crucial dialogue. It signals that the delegation has arrived at their destination and is now ready to formally present their case. The "saying" (לֵאמֹר) implies that what follows will be direct speech, a formal address that will lay out the accusations and seek an explanation, underscoring the gravity and formality of the diplomatic mission.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Foreshadowing** by explicitly stating "and they spake with them, saying," which immediately builds anticipation for the critical dialogue that will unfold in the subsequent verses. This phrase acts as a narrative cue, signaling that the core conflict of the chapter—the misunderstanding over the altar—is about to be addressed directly. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play, as the reader is aware (from earlier verses, specifically [Joshua 22:27-28](/joshua/22-27 "Joshua 22:27-28 - The True Purpose of the Altar")) of the eastern tribes' true, innocent intentions for building the altar, while the western tribes approach them with severe accusations, believing their actions to be rebellious. This creates tension between the audience's knowledge and the characters' limited understanding. Furthermore, the geographical detail of "the land of Gilead" and the act of "coming unto" them underscores the **Symbolism** of the Jordan River as a potential divider, not just physically but also spiritually, emphasizing the urgent need to bridge this perceived chasm of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 22:15, though brief, is pregnant with theological significance, primarily emphasizing the paramount importance of unity and covenant fidelity within God's people. The western tribes' swift and severe reaction stemmed from a deep-seated fear of corporate judgment, a recurring motif in Israel's history where the sin of a few could bring divine wrath upon the entire nation. Their concern was not merely political but profoundly theological: any perceived deviation from the central sanctuary law was an affront to Yahweh's holiness and a threat to the nation's unique relationship with Him. This episode underscores that true unity among believers is rooted in shared commitment to God's revealed will and a willingness to address perceived breaches through dialogue rather than immediate condemnation or conflict. It highlights that maintaining spiritual purity and communal harmony often requires proactive engagement and a readiness to seek understanding.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - The Place the Lord Will Choose")
* [Numbers 25:3](/numbers/25-3 "Numbers 25:3 - The Incident at Peor")
* [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Maintaining Unity of the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The arrival of the delegation in Joshua 22:15 serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring human tendency to misinterpret actions and motives, and the critical importance of communication in resolving conflict. Before the western tribes resorted to war based on their assumptions, they chose the path of inquiry and dialogue. This teaches us that in our personal relationships, families, churches, and communities, we must resist the impulse to jump to conclusions or allow suspicion to fester. Instead, we are called to humbly seek understanding, to ask clarifying questions, and to listen actively to explanations, even when actions appear to contradict our expectations or values. This narrative encourages a posture of grace and patience, prioritizing reconciliation and the preservation of unity over hasty judgment. It challenges us to consider how often conflicts could be averted or de-escalated if we first sought to "speak with them, saying," rather than allowing unverified assumptions to dictate our responses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you prone to making assumptions about others' motives before seeking clarity?**
* **How does the example of the western tribes' delegation encourage you to prioritize communication and understanding in potential conflicts?**
* **What steps can you take to foster greater unity and open dialogue within your faith community, especially when disagreements or misunderstandings arise?**

### FAQ
**Why were the western tribes so quick to assume the worst about the altar?**

Answer: The western tribes' immediate assumption that the altar was for illicit worship stemmed from several factors. Firstly, the Deuteronomic law strictly commanded a single, central place of worship for all Israel ([Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - The Central Sanctuary")), making any unauthorized altar a grave offense against Yahweh. Secondly, Israel had a history of corporate sin leading to severe divine judgment, such as the incident at Peor ([Numbers 25:1-9](/numbers/25-1 "Numbers 25:1-9 - The Incident at Peor")) or Achan's sin ([Joshua 7:1-5](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1-5 - Achan's Sin")). This history instilled a deep fear that the eastern tribes' perceived apostasy could bring wrath upon the entire nation. Their zeal was rooted in a genuine, albeit misguided, desire to protect the purity of Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic tension in Joshua 22:15, born from misunderstanding and the threat of division, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Christ. The perceived barrier of the Jordan River, symbolizing a potential spiritual divide between the tribes, foreshadows the greater chasm of sin that separated humanity from God, and the divisions that exist within humanity itself. Christ, through His atoning work, becomes the ultimate bridge, tearing down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) and creating one new humanity. His body, broken on the cross, is the true and perfect altar, making all other altars obsolete and uniting believers from every tribe and nation into one spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). The reconciliation achieved in Joshua 22, through dialogue and understanding, points to the profound reconciliation achieved by Christ, who, as our great High Priest, mediates between God and humanity, ensuring that true worship and unity are centered not on a physical structure, but on His person and His finished work. He is the one who "spake with them, saying," not with accusation, but with grace and truth, bringing clarity and peace where there was once misunderstanding and division ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 9:15

O LORD God of Israel, thou [art] righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as [it is] this day: behold, we [are] before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

Psalms 78:8

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Joshua 22:18

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.

2 Chronicles 10:19

And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

2 Chronicles 25:27

Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

2 Chronicles 26:18

And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, [It appertaineth] not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither [shall it be] for thine honour from the LORD God.

Numbers 5:6

Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty;