Joshua 22:21 - Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel,
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What does "Joshua 22:21" mean?
This verse, Joshua 22:21, sets the stage for a formal and important response. Let's break it down:
"Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered..." This refers to the tribes who had settled east of the Jordan River. They are the ones responding to an accusation (implied from the context, and explained in previous verses). They are being accused of building an altar separate from the Tabernacle altar, suggesting a breaking of covenant with the rest of Israel.
"...and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel..." This tells us who they are responding to. These "heads of the thousands" were leaders and representatives of the rest of the tribes of Israel (those west of the Jordan). They were likely the ones who confronted Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh in the first place and raised the concern. The phrasing indicates a formal delegation and a serious matter.
Meaning and Significance:
The verse highlights several key points:
Official Dialogue: This isn't just a casual conversation. It's a formal address to the established leadership of Israel. This emphasizes the importance of the issue at hand.
Accountability: The tribes east of the Jordan are acknowledging the authority of the leaders of Israel and are willing to answer for their actions. They understand they are part of a larger covenant community.
Unity (or Potential Division): The fact that this dialogue is happening shows the tension between the tribes on either side of the Jordan. It highlights the potential for division and the need for communication to maintain unity.
In essence, Joshua 22:21 is a transition verse. It shows that the accused tribes are now ready to give their explanation and defense to the leaders of Israel regarding the controversial altar they had built. The explanation that follows in the verses after this provides important insight into their motives and their commitment to unity with the rest of Israel. The fact that they are speaking to the "heads of the thousands" is a sign of respect and recognition of the need to maintain the integrity of the covenant among all the tribes.
Joshua 22:21 - Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel,
What does "Joshua 22:21" mean?
This verse, Joshua 22:21, sets the stage for a formal and important response. Let's break it down:
"Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered..." This refers to the tribes who had settled east of the Jordan River. They are the ones responding to an accusation (implied from the context, and explained in previous verses). They are being accused of building an altar separate from the Tabernacle altar, suggesting a breaking of covenant with the rest of Israel.
"...and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel..." This tells us who they are responding to. These "heads of the thousands" were leaders and representatives of the rest of the tribes of Israel (those west of the Jordan). They were likely the ones who confronted Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh in the first place and raised the concern. The phrasing indicates a formal delegation and a serious matter.
Meaning and Significance:
The verse highlights several key points:
Official Dialogue: This isn't just a casual conversation. It's a formal address to the established leadership of Israel. This emphasizes the importance of the issue at hand.
Accountability: The tribes east of the Jordan are acknowledging the authority of the leaders of Israel and are willing to answer for their actions. They understand they are part of a larger covenant community.
Unity (or Potential Division): The fact that this dialogue is happening shows the tension between the tribes on either side of the Jordan. It highlights the potential for division and the need for communication to maintain unity.
In essence, Joshua 22:21 is a transition verse. It shows that the accused tribes are now ready to give their explanation and defense to the leaders of Israel regarding the controversial altar they had built. The explanation that follows in the verses after this provides important insight into their motives and their commitment to unity with the rest of Israel. The fact that they are speaking to the "heads of the thousands" is a sign of respect and recognition of the need to maintain the integrity of the covenant among all the tribes.