Bible Strands
Joshua 22:19
If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The western tribal leaders confront the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead after discovering the altar they erected. The leaders deliver a warning that religious innovation constitutes rebellion against God and the covenant community.
The words — אִם\־ ('im-) = if; טְמֵאָ֜ה (te.me.'Ah) = [is] unclean. The text uses these terms to establish a conditional allowance: if the eastern tribes consider their inherited territory ritually inadequate for worship, they may relocate to the central sanctuary rather than construct a separate altar.
The thread — The restriction on independent altars echoes Leviticus 17:8, which mandates that all sacrifices occur at the designated place. The location of the tabernacle aligns with Joshua 18:1, where the Tent of Meeting is established at Shiloh as the sole legitimate center.
Why it lands — The verse demands strict adherence to God-ordained worship structures and forbids personal religious modification. Readers must recognize that covenant unity requires submitting individual practices to established divine authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord’s tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the Lord our God.
Cross-references
- Joshua 18:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,
- Exodus 15:17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance—the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established.
- Leviticus 17:8 Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice
- Leviticus 18:25 Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.
- Deuteronomy 12:5 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.
- 2 Chronicles 11:13 Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam.
- 2 Chronicles 11:16 Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
- Amos 7:17 Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be divided by a measuring line, and you yourself will die on pagan soil. And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’”
- Acts 10:14 “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
- Acts 11:8 ‘No, Lord,’ I said, ‘for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’