Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 22:12
And when the children of Israel heard [of it], the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
12. gathered themselves together ] The act of their trans-Jordanic brethren, done without any authority of the High Priest, appeared at first sight to be a direct infringement of the express commands against another altar and other worship (Lev 17:8-9; Deu 12:5-7; Deu 13:12-18). It was open to the suspicion that they meant, if not to adopt another worship, at least to set up another and an independent establishment for worship, which, besides the obvious tendency to idolatry, could not fail in the event to destroy the connection by which the tribes were linked together. “The obligation of all the Israelites to resort three times in the year for worship to the sole altar of the people, was admirably suited to retain them as one people by continually keeping before their minds their common origin and common obligations; but if a separate establishment were allowed to exist there could be no difficulty in divining that they would cease to put themselves to the trouble of visiting the parent establishment in Canaan, and would, in no long time, come to regard themselves, with a country so congenial to their pastoral character and a geographical separation so complete, as a distinct people.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gathered themselves together – The various tribes had already dispersed to their homes, and were now summoned together again.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. To go up to war against them.] Supposing that they had built this altar in opposition to that which Moses, by the command of God, had erected, and were consequently become rebels against God and the Israelitish constitution, and should be treated as such. Their great concern for the glory of God led them to take this step, which at first view might appear precipitate; but, that they might do nothing rashly, they first sent Phinehas and ten princes, one out of each tribe, to require an explanation of their motives in erecting this altar.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The children of Israel; not in their own persons, but by their elders, who used to transact all affairs of this kind in the name and stead of all the people.
To go up to war against them; as apostates from God, according to Gods command in that case, Deu 13:13, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when the children of Israel heard [of it],…. Of the building the altar in the above place, namely, the nine tribes and a half settled in the land of Canaan:
the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh; where the tabernacle and altar of the Lord were, whose cause they undertook to avenge, being injured as they imagined by the altar the other tribes had built, and where they could consult the Lord by Urim and Thummim, if needful; hither they repaired from the several places around, where their tribes were settled; not the whole body of the people, but their heads and representatives:
to go up to war against them; to consult about it, and to prepare for it, which they were obliged to do by the law of God, as in the case of a city, so of a tribe drawn aside to idolatry; and which they imagined was the case of these tribes, or at least what they had done had a tendency to apostasy from the true worship of God, which they were zealous to defend at the hazard of their lives, and though it should issue in an extirpation of one or more of their tribes; see
De 13:12.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) To go up to war against them.There is no more striking proof of Israels obedience to the law and veneration for it in the days of Joshua than this. A single altar to Jehovah, besides the one in Shiloh. is sufficient cause for war against the builders of it. But see what is the language of the prophet. According to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to Bosheth (disgrace), even altars to burn incense to Baal (Jer. 11:13). What stronger proof could we require of the veracity of the narrative in this place, and that it is genuine contemporary history? What writer of the days of Jeremiah, to which date some have referred the Book of Deuteronomy and its requirements, could have conceived such a scene as this, when altars to Jehovah on the high places were hardly regarded as illegal, and altars to Baal were as numerous as the very streets?
Another passage in a different part of the Old Testament corroborates indirectly, but in a striking manner, the tone of this (Neh. 8:17): The congregation. . . . made booths, and sat under the booths (as required by the law of Moses in the Feast of Tabernacles); for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. The children of Israel gathered themselves together The news produced the greatest consternation, and caused an uprising of all the tribes. A separate altar implied the setting up of a new religion, and fore-shadowed a secession from the theocratic state. Such a movement, therefore, demanded the most careful investigation, according to the express provision of the law. Deu 13:13-14. So at a later time all Israel assembled at Mizpeh to investigate the offence of Benjamin. Judges 20.
To go up to war against them For the law ordained that if any city went over to idolatry it should be smitten with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed. Deu 13:15-16.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh to be ready to go up to war against them.’
The gathering at Shiloh indicated a summons by the authorities from the central sanctuary for Israel to gather with their arms so that they were ready to act swiftly if it was necessary. The provisions of Deu 13:12-18, which dealt with the action to be taken when there were suspicions of idolatry, were then correctly carried into force, a thorough investigation to determine the truth of the matter.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 12. Andthe whole congregationgathered themselves together at Shiloh That is, the elders and princes of the tribes came from their several cities thither to consult what, in consequence of this step of the two tribes and a half, was necessary to be done. On the first advice of the erection of so elevated an altar, the Israelites in general conceived that their brethren had abandoned the true religion. For, not to mention that the law forbad a plurality of altars, the prodigious height of the present denoted a monument dedicated to the pagan deities, for whose worship they were fond of the highest places, rather than one appropriated to the true God, who can as easily assist the most lowly, as those who are nearest the skies, and who had commanded that His altar should not exceed three cubits in height, and be without steps. See Deu 12:13 : Exo 27:1; Exo 20:26. The congregation at Shiloh, therefore, in the first emotions of its zeal, thought that the Israelites beyond Jordan were fallen into idolatry, either by devoting themselves to the worship of false gods, or by presuming to worship the Lord in another place and manner than he had appointed. Hereupon they consulted how it was necessary to act towards the supposed offenders; and the conclusion was, that they should proceed in strict conformity to the law of Moses; and that in case the 40,000 men had done as was presumed, it was necessary to go up to war against them, to avenge their insulted religion, and destroy them, as God had commanded, Deu 13:12; Deu 13:18. Many reflections might be drawn from this determination: we may boldly conclude, that it is not sufficient to have right intentions in what we undertake; but that in the execution of it, piety requires us to avoid, as much as possible, all appearance of evil. The 40,000 ought to have apprised the Israelites of Canaan of what they were about to do, and of their motive for so doing; their manner of proceeding could not but create disagreeable suspicions. But what noble sentiments did these suspicions produce in the hearts they animated! It is very pleasing to see the Israelites, scarcely delivered from the fatigues and dangers of so long a war, and but just beginning to taste the fruits of their conquests, determining immediately to resume arms, in obedience to the laws of their religion and commonwealth. An example of courage and zeal like this well deserves to be remarked.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jos 22:12 And when the children of Israel heard [of it], the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
Ver. 12. To go up to war against them. ] According to Deu 13:13 , &c., so blessedly blown up were they with a zeal for God – the Levites also and Manassites, though of the same tribe; howbeit this holy fire was not without some smoke.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the whole: Supposing they had built this altar for sacrifice, in opposition to the command of God, they considered them as rebels against God and the Israelitish constitution. Deu 13:15, Jdg 20:1-11, Act 11:2, Act 11:3, Rom 10:2, Gal 4:17, Gal 4:18
Reciprocal: Jos 22:15 – General Jos 22:32 – and brought 1Sa 1:14 – How long
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 22:12. The whole congregation of the children of Israel Not in their own persons, but by their elders, who were used to transact all affairs of this kind in the name of all the people. Gathered themselves together against them As apostates from God, and the true religion, according to Gods command in such a case. For they too hastily inferred, from the erection of this altar, that their brethren were either going to serve other gods, or to worship the God of Israel in a manner different from that which he had prescribed. For they were expressly commanded that, as there was but one God, so they should offer only upon one altar, and in that one place which the Lord should choose, Deu 12:5-18.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
22:12 And when the children of Israel heard [of it], the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up {g} to war against them.
(g) Such was their zeal, that they would rather lose their lives, that allow the true religion to be changed or corrupted.