Joshua 22:16"Thus says the whole congregation of Yahweh, 'What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following Yahweh, in that you have built you an altar, to rebel this day against Yahweh?
The setting
Gilead, ~1400 BC. Ten angry tribal leaders accuse their brothers of apostasy by building an unauthorized altar. Modern-day Jordan.
The emotion here: recording explosive accusations with historical gravity
The original word
ma'al (מַעַל) — treachery, unfaithfulness, covenant violation deserving death
Why it matters
Building unauthorized altars was punishable by death under Mosaic law
Read with care
What most readers miss in Joshua 22:16
They're literally accusing them of a capital offense
Common misconceptionThis sounds like a theological debate, but they're accusing them of treason that could split the nation and invoke God's wrath on everyone.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Joshua 22:16
Bible Genome reading
Joshua 22:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Joshua 22:16 comes from the book of Joshua, written during the conquest period. These words are attributed to tribal representatives. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include accountability, faithfulness. Notable phrases: What trespass is this.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Joshua 22:16 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "angry"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.