Joshua 22:17 - Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, although there came a plague on the congregation of Yahweh,
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What does "Joshua 22:17" mean?
This verse from Joshua 22:17 refers to a past transgression by the Israelites at a place called Peor. To understand its meaning, let's break it down:
"Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us..." This suggests that the speaker (likely the representatives of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) is warning against repeating a past mistake. They're implying that the consequences of the sin at Peor were severe and should not be forgotten.
"...from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day..." This indicates a lingering guilt or a concern that the effects of the sin at Peor are still present within the community. They may feel that the nation has not fully dealt with the consequences or root causes of that past sin. Cleansing rituals were important for removing defilement.
"...although there came a plague on the congregation of Yahweh..." This points directly to the punishment that followed the sin at Peor. A plague, a divine punishment, struck the Israelite community as a consequence of their actions. This underscores the seriousness of the offense.
Context and Background:
To fully grasp the verse, it's essential to know the story of Peor, which is recounted in Numbers 25. The Israelites, while camped at Shittim, began to engage in sexual immorality with Moabite women and to worship their gods, specifically Baal-peor. This was a blatant violation of their covenant with Yahweh. As a result, God sent a plague that killed 24,000 people.
Significance in Joshua 22:17:
In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh built an altar near the Jordan River. The other tribes of Israel feared that this was an act of rebellion, a separate place to offer sacrifices, which would violate God's instructions to worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh. The verse from Joshua 22:17 is part of the argument made by the representatives of the other tribes against the altar.
They are essentially saying:
"Don't repeat the mistakes of the past!"
"The sin at Peor was a serious offense that brought divine punishment."
"We haven't fully dealt with the consequences of that sin."
"Building this altar seems like a similar act of disobedience that could bring God's wrath upon us again."
In summary, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of disobedience, the lasting consequences of sin, and the need to be vigilant against anything that could lead the nation astray from their covenant with God. It is a cautionary tale designed to prevent future transgressions and to emphasize the importance of remaining faithful to Yahweh. The tribes are saying that to build the altar might look like they are setting up a new place to worship, and this is dangerous and could bring God's wrath down on them.
Joshua 22:17 - Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, although there came a plague on the congregation of Yahweh,
What does "Joshua 22:17" mean?
This verse from Joshua 22:17 refers to a past transgression by the Israelites at a place called Peor. To understand its meaning, let's break it down:
"Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us..." This suggests that the speaker (likely the representatives of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) is warning against repeating a past mistake. They're implying that the consequences of the sin at Peor were severe and should not be forgotten.
"...from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day..." This indicates a lingering guilt or a concern that the effects of the sin at Peor are still present within the community. They may feel that the nation has not fully dealt with the consequences or root causes of that past sin. Cleansing rituals were important for removing defilement.
"...although there came a plague on the congregation of Yahweh..." This points directly to the punishment that followed the sin at Peor. A plague, a divine punishment, struck the Israelite community as a consequence of their actions. This underscores the seriousness of the offense.
Context and Background:
To fully grasp the verse, it's essential to know the story of Peor, which is recounted in Numbers 25. The Israelites, while camped at Shittim, began to engage in sexual immorality with Moabite women and to worship their gods, specifically Baal-peor. This was a blatant violation of their covenant with Yahweh. As a result, God sent a plague that killed 24,000 people.
Significance in Joshua 22:17:
In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh built an altar near the Jordan River. The other tribes of Israel feared that this was an act of rebellion, a separate place to offer sacrifices, which would violate God's instructions to worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh. The verse from Joshua 22:17 is part of the argument made by the representatives of the other tribes against the altar.
They are essentially saying:
"Don't repeat the mistakes of the past!"
"The sin at Peor was a serious offense that brought divine punishment."
"We haven't fully dealt with the consequences of that sin."
"Building this altar seems like a similar act of disobedience that could bring God's wrath upon us again."
In summary, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of disobedience, the lasting consequences of sin, and the need to be vigilant against anything that could lead the nation astray from their covenant with God. It is a cautionary tale designed to prevent future transgressions and to emphasize the importance of remaining faithful to Yahweh. The tribes are saying that to build the altar might look like they are setting up a new place to worship, and this is dangerous and could bring God's wrath down on them.