יהושע, פרק כ״ב, פסוק כ״ט

The tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh are confronted with a deep misunderstanding, prompting them to declare their absolute loyalty to God. They are horrified by the very thought of abandoning Him. They urgently clarify that the new altar they constructed across the Jordan River was never intended to replace the nation's single spiritual center, nor was it meant for foreign worship. To them, the mere idea of such a betrayal is a source of profound disgrace and profanity [מצודת ציון].

When explaining the root of their defense, commentators offer two distinct perspectives on how the tribes prove their innocence. One approach suggests that their refusal to rebel stems directly from their own inner nature. Turning away from God is inherently repulsive to their personal will, a conviction they held firmly even before hearing any rebuke from the rest of the nation [מצודת דוד]. Building on this, they address the underlying fear of a social uprising. By emphasizing that they naturally recoil from rebelling against God on their own initiative, they argue that they certainly have no intention of rebelling against their own brothers [רד"ק].

Alternatively, other scholars suggest that the proof of their innocence lies in the physical altar itself. According to this view, the structure was designed solely to serve as a witness for future generations. Because it was built purely for visual representation rather than for offering actual sacrifices, the very design of the altar proves that there is no plot to rebel against God [מלבי"ם].

Ultimately, the tribes firmly reject the legitimacy of any additional altar existing alongside God's original one [מצודת דוד]. They conclude their defense with a clear, unwavering recognition that there is only one Tabernacle and one true altar. This central location remains the exclusive place where they, along with the rest of the nation, will continue to worship God [ביאור שטיינזלץ].