Joshua 22

Joshua 22:1

THen] 1: e. When God had fulfilled all his promises; and having subdued their enemies, had given unto his people, peace and rest.

Joshua 22:2

commanded you] Which was to go armed before their brethren.

Joshua 22:3

these many dayes] 1: e. Above thirteen yeers, as some compute it. Seven yeers almost in their conquest, and neer so much in dividing the land, others reckon neer thirteen yeers, and more yeers to the conquest then to the division of the land.

Joshua 22:7

to their tents] That is, to their own dwellings beyond Jordan.

blessed them] 1: e. Prayed unto God for his blessing upon them.

Joshua 22:8

with your brethren] to wit, Which remained at home with their wives, children, and stuff, and went not to the war. See Numbers 31:27. and 1 Samuel 30:24.

Joshua 22:9

Gilead,] 1: e. All that countrey in which Sehon and Og raigned.

Joshua 22:10

borders] Heb. Geliloth. See Joshua 18:17. Which countrey was also called Canaan, because the Amorites dwelling there, were called Canaanites.

Joshua 22:12

to warre] Such now was their zeal, that they would rather hazard their lives, then suffer Gods true religion to be corrupted. For God had ordained, That there should be but one place for publike service, and sacrifices, and but one altar. Levit. 17. 8, 9. Deut. 12. 5, 7. 13. 27. Exodus 20:24. Deuteronomy 27:5.

Joshua 22:14

ten princes,] 1: e. Nine for the nine tribes, and one for the half tribe of Manasseth.

Joshua 22:17

not cleansed] But all lie still under the infamy of so foul a sin; and some then guilty, but not presently punished, do still suffer for it, though many yeers after, Numbers 14:20,21.

Joshua 22:18

to morrow] 1: e. In time to come, and that very speedily. So 5: 24. and 4. 6.

Joshua 22:19

be unclean] 1: e. If in your opinion it be unsanctified, as wanting the visible signes of Gods presence, and the means of his publike service, to wit, the tabernacle, altar, and arke.

against the Lord] To use any other service then God hath appointed; is to rebell against him, 1 Samuel 15:23.

nor rebell against us] In drawing Gods judgements upon us by your sin, as Achan did, or inseparating your selves from us.

Joshua 22:20

sonne of Zerah] 1: e. Of the posteritie of Zerah, Josh. 7. 17, 18.

not alone] But thirty and six of the people, and his wife, and children for his sin.

Joshua 22:21

the thousands] For the children of Israel were divided into thousands, Exodus 18:21. Judg. 6. 15.

Joshua 22:23

require it] Call us to account, and punish us for it.

Joshua 22:24

this thing] That is, concerning Gods pure worship.

What have you to do] To wit, with our God, or his service, tabernacle, or altar, seeing you are not his people, being separated by Jordan from the holy land.

Joshua 22:25

no part in the Lord] 1: e. Ye are none of Gods people, nor have any thing to do in his service, in his sanctuary, or any interest in his blessings. See the like phrases. 2 Samuel 20:1. 1 Kings 12:16. Ezra 4:2. Nehemiah 2:20.

make our children] 1: e. Make them lesse zealous in the service of God, or cause them to turn quite from him.

Joshua 22:27

a witnesse] A significative monument.

before him] In his tabernacle or temple, the place of his presence.

Joshua 22:31

the Lord is among us] To wit, by his grace and blessing in keeping you from sinning against him, by setting up a new divised worship.

out of the hand of God] Whose wrath would have been kindled both against you and us all, if you had committed that sin which we suspected.

Joshua 22:32

brought them word] 1: e. Related unto them their just apology and excuse.

Joshua 22:34

a witnesse between us] To wit, That we worship the same God, and imbrace the same true religion with all the rest of Gods people.