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The site by the Jordan where the eastern tribes built a great altar that nearly triggered civil war
Jordan ValleyGeliloth ("regions" or "circles") was a place on the western side of the Jordan opposite the territory of Gilead, near the southern border between Benjamin and Judah (Joshua 18:17 — possibly the same as or near Gilgal). It is most famous as the site where Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built a massive altar after returning from the conquest to their inheritance east of the Jordan (Joshua 22:10-11). The western tribes initially assembled at Shiloh to make war on them, believing the altar was an act of rebellion and apostasy. A delegation led by Phinehas the priest discovered the altar was actually a witness — a permanent monument so future generations of eastern Israelites would not be excluded from the worship of the Lord. The crisis was resolved peacefully and civil war averted (Joshua 22:30-34).
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