This guide gives you questions and answers for studying Joshua 22, the chapter where the tribes east of the Jordan build an altar and nearly spark a civil war before the misunderstanding is cleared up. It is written for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study, and each question includes a leader’s note so you can move the discussion along without preparing a separate summary.
Joshua 22 at a Glance
Joshua releases the warriors of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return home across the Jordan after years of service in the conquest. Before they leave, he urges them to keep the law of Moses and to love the LORD with all their heart. Once they are back in Gilead, they build a large altar by the river, and word reaches the other tribes that this looks like rebellion against the central sanctuary at Shiloh.
The rest of the chapter turns on a delegation led by Phinehas, who confronts the eastern tribes, and their careful reply. The eastern tribes explain that the altar is a witness, not a rival place of worship, and the chapter closes with relief, blessing, and a name given to the altar.
Observation Questions
Use these questions first to make sure everyone has the basic facts of the story in view. Ask people to find the answer in the text before offering any interpretation, and keep the discussion short and concrete.
Joshua 22:5
Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
(WEB)
Read this verse as Joshua’s central charge to the eastern tribes. It summarizes what faithful life looks like, and it sets the tone for the rest of the chapter. Pause to let the group hear the call to love, walk, keep, hold fast, and serve.
Joshua 22:9-12
9 The children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession, which they owned, according to the commandment of the LORD by Moses. 10 When they came to the region about the Jordan, that is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a great altar to look at. 11 The children of Israel heard this, “Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar in the border of the land of Canaan, in the region around the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the children of Israel.” 12 When the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up against them to war.
(WEB)
This short range shows how the eastern tribes departed and built the altar, and how quickly the rest of Israel reacted. Reading it aloud lets the group feel the tension that gathers before the delegation arrives.
Joshua 22:16
“Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, ‘What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away today from following the LORD, in that you have built yourselves an altar, to rebel today against the LORD?
(WEB)
Phinehas opens his challenge with this line. Reading it aloud helps the group hear the seriousness of his question, and it prepares them for the explanation that follows.
Joshua 22:27
But it will be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings;’ that your children may not tell our children in time to come, ‘You have no portion in the LORD.’
(WEB)
Here the eastern tribes state their purpose plainly: the altar is a witness. This verse is the heart of the explanation and is worth reading slowly so the group can weigh its meaning.
Joshua 22:30-31
30 When Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation, even the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them well. 31 Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against the LORD. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the LORD’s hand.”
(WEB)
The delegation’s relief and recognition appear in these verses. Reading them aloud brings the chapter to its turning point and reminds the group that honest dialogue can restore peace.
Memory Verse for Joshua 22
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you are the LORD who keeps covenant with your people, even when we misunderstand one another. Teach us to ask before we accuse, and to listen before we judge. Keep us loyal to you as the center of our lives, and help us build reminders of your faithfulness that point the next generation to you. Where there is fear or suspicion among us, bring honest words and patient hearts, so that we can bless one another as Israel did. Thank you for the witness of your people across every generation. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
