Joshua 22:14
And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
The tribes of Gad and Reuben with half Manasseh had received their inheritance before crossing the Jordan in the grazing lands of Gilead and Bashan, pledging armed men to fight with their brethren, and they faithfully sent forty thousand prepared for war over before the Lord unto battle to the plains of Jericho. They fought for years beside the ten tribes in Canaan and shared the spoils, then were dismissed to the land of their possession with much riches, very much cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron and very much raiment to share with those who had remained with families and flocks. There they were to dwell at a distance from the sanctuary where there was anxious fear their isolated life would tempt them to heathen customs.
When the eastern tribes erected the large witness altar near the Jordan, Phinehas the high priest was sent with ten princes, one from each tribe, each one a head of a chief house of his fathers among the thousands of Israel, as representatives to require an explanation of the motive for erecting it. Sending this delegation instead of at once making war showed a cautious course, restraining the excitement and indignation over what was supposed to be a rival altar to take the place of the tabernacle at Shiloh. The delegation came convinced the guilt of their brethren was already proved and met them with sharp rebuke and suspicion, going too far by not first asking courteously for the facts.
They accused their brethren of rebelling against the Lord, reminded them how the wrath of God visited Israel for joining to Baal-Peor, and feared that surrounded by worshipers of that idol they would again partake of that iniquity. They declared God's positive command that no sacrifice be offered except at the door of the tabernacle. They offered in behalf of all Israel that if the eastern tribes were unwilling to abide east of Jordan without an altar for sacrifice and worship they would be welcomed to a share in the possessions and privileges on the west side.
Their zeal to guard Israel against sin was prompted by the earlier failure to deal vigilantly with Achan's sin, and they warned from the case of Achan, whose transgression with his whole family brought suffering on all the congregation, to show what dire result would follow if so large a company disobeyed and departed from God. The serious inquiry by Israel's representatives shows the seriousness of their concern about preserving Israel's unity in worship and guarding Israel against sin. The peaceful resolution teaches that suspected wrongdoing should be addressed with restraint and that those who are misjudged should respond with meekness and forbearance rather than anger or retaliation.