Joshua 22:21 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel, Then the children of Reuben ... answered - repudiating in the strongest terms the alleged crime, and deponing that, so far from entertaining the intention imputed to them, their only object was to perpetuate the memory of their alliance with Israel, and their adherence to the worship of Israel's God.