Joshua 22:12 - When the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up against them to war.
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What does "Joshua 22:12" mean?
This verse from Joshua 22:12 is describing a moment of crisis among the Israelite tribes. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"When the children of Israel heard of it...": "It" refers to a specific event. To understand what "it" is, you need to read the preceding verses in Joshua 22. These verses explain that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh (who had settled east of the Jordan River) had built a large altar near the Jordan River.
"...the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh...": Shiloh was a significant location for the Israelites at this time. It housed the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary where God was worshipped). Gathering there signified a serious and united decision-making process. It was where they sought divine guidance and made major decisions for the entire nation. "The whole congregation" implies a widespread sense of alarm and the seriousness of the situation.
"...to go up against them to war.": This is the most important part. The other tribes of Israel were so concerned about the altar built by the eastern tribes that they were prepared to wage war against their own brethren. They perceived the altar as an act of rebellion against God, a potential source of idolatry, and a threat to the unity of the covenant.
In summary, the verse means:
The other tribes of Israel heard about the altar built by the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh). They saw this as a grave offense against God, potentially leading to idolatry and divine punishment. As a result, the entire community assembled at Shiloh, ready to launch a war against their fellow Israelites to prevent what they believed was a dangerous transgression.
Context is Key:
It's important to note that this verse is part of a larger narrative. The events that follow (the sending of a delegation to investigate and confront the eastern tribes, and the explanation of the eastern tribes' intent in building the altar) reveal that the eastern tribes did not intend to build a rival altar for sacrifice. Their altar was meant to be a witness, a reminder of their unity with the rest of Israel and their shared worship of God, even though they lived on the other side of the Jordan River.
Therefore, understanding the context is crucial to grasp the significance of Joshua 22:12. It highlights the potential for misunderstanding, the dangers of hasty judgments, and the importance of communication in maintaining unity within a community.
Joshua 22:12 - When the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up against them to war.
What does "Joshua 22:12" mean?
This verse from Joshua 22:12 is describing a moment of crisis among the Israelite tribes. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"When the children of Israel heard of it...": "It" refers to a specific event. To understand what "it" is, you need to read the preceding verses in Joshua 22. These verses explain that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh (who had settled east of the Jordan River) had built a large altar near the Jordan River.
"...the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh...": Shiloh was a significant location for the Israelites at this time. It housed the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary where God was worshipped). Gathering there signified a serious and united decision-making process. It was where they sought divine guidance and made major decisions for the entire nation. "The whole congregation" implies a widespread sense of alarm and the seriousness of the situation.
"...to go up against them to war.": This is the most important part. The other tribes of Israel were so concerned about the altar built by the eastern tribes that they were prepared to wage war against their own brethren. They perceived the altar as an act of rebellion against God, a potential source of idolatry, and a threat to the unity of the covenant.
In summary, the verse means:
The other tribes of Israel heard about the altar built by the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh). They saw this as a grave offense against God, potentially leading to idolatry and divine punishment. As a result, the entire community assembled at Shiloh, ready to launch a war against their fellow Israelites to prevent what they believed was a dangerous transgression.
Context is Key:
It's important to note that this verse is part of a larger narrative. The events that follow (the sending of a delegation to investigate and confront the eastern tribes, and the explanation of the eastern tribes' intent in building the altar) reveal that the eastern tribes did not intend to build a rival altar for sacrifice. Their altar was meant to be a witness, a reminder of their unity with the rest of Israel and their shared worship of God, even though they lived on the other side of the Jordan River.
Therefore, understanding the context is crucial to grasp the significance of Joshua 22:12. It highlights the potential for misunderstanding, the dangers of hasty judgments, and the importance of communication in maintaining unity within a community.