Why did the delegation think the LORD would be angry with the whole of Israel when only Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built the altar?
The delegation make specific reference to the sin of Achan and thus the concept of corporate solidarity. Corporate solidarity involves the whole group being treated as a unity with the individual and the group being merged together (e.g., Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:20).1 The idea that one person can represent a whole group is also found elsewhere in the Bible in relation to the sin of Adam and the redemption of Jesus Christ (see Romans 5:12–21).
18 Et vous vous détournez aujourd'hui de l'Eternel! Si vous vous révoltez aujourd'hui contre l'Eternel, demain il s'irritera contre toute l'assemblée d'Israël.