ABSTRACT
Joshua's farewell charges them to remain true to the covenant. It is the first of a long tradition of republican farewells. The farewell addresses are great literary expressions as well as important political statements. The two and a half tribes reply to the delegation through their leaders and deny any interest in rebelling against national authority. They were not secessionists but were seeking to find a way to communicate to their descendants the unity of the tribes on both sides of the river under the Lord's covenant. The people join with their leaders to renew the national covenant and the constitution derived from it, under Joshua's direction. The Bible is opposed to Israelite imperialism or territorial expansion beyond the allotted boundaries and makes its point in the oblique manner. It can be concluded that Joshua assembled all the holders of tribal and national offices in Israel.
