Joshua 22:23-29 · Bible study
Joshua 22:23-29 Commentary: The Altar of Witness
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
A study of the Transjordan tribes' innocent altar, the meaning of Yahweh's 'requiring', and how this clarifies unity in worship.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The eastern tribes built an altar as a witness of unity with the western tribes, not for sacrificing; they invoke God's judgment if they are lying.
- Key words: Mizbeach (altar), ed (witness), baqash (to require/call to account), deagah (anxiety), chalilah (far be it).
- Main debate: Whether the tribes were right to build a second altar at all. Calvin argues it was permissible as a memorial, not a place of worship. Others note it avoided violating Deuteronomic law.
- Theological theme: Unity in worship under one God; the use of physical symbols to preserve spiritual identity; the importance of clear communication and accountability.
- Best use: A case study in resolving conflict through explanation and shared symbols; a reminder to guard against the drift of distance and time.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
23If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable.
24But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
25For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no share in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.
26That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.
27Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’
28Therefore we said, ‘If they ever say this to us or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the altar of the LORD that our fathers made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’
29Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
23that we have built us an altar to turn away from following Yahweh; or if to offer burnt offering or meal offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings, let Yahweh himself require it.
24“If we have not out of concern done this, and for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, “What have you to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel?
25For Yahweh has made the Jordan a border between us and you, you children of Reuben and children of Gad. You have no portion in Yahweh.”’ So your children might make our children cease from fearing Yahweh.
26“Therefore we said, ‘Let’s now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice;
27but it will be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may perform the service of Yahweh before him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings;’ that your children may not tell our children in time to come, ‘You have no portion in Yahweh.’
28“Therefore we said, ‘It shall be, when they tell us or our generations this in time to come, that we shall say, “Behold the pattern of Yahweh’s altar, which our fathers made, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice; but it is a witness between us and you.”’
29“Far be it from us that we should rebel against Yahweh, and turn away today from following Yahweh, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, besides Yahweh our God’s altar that is before his tabernacle!”
KJV King James Version 1769
23That we have built us an altar to turn from following the Lord, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the Lord himself require it;
24And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel?
25For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the Lord: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord.
26Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
27But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the Lord before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the Lord.
28Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
29God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
23that we have built us an altar to turn away from following Jehovah; or if to offer thereon burnt-offering or meal-offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace-offerings thereon, let Jehovah himself require it;
24and if we have not rather out of carefulness done this, and of purpose, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah, the God of Israel?
25for Jehovah hath made the Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no portion in Jehovah: so might your children make our children cease from fearing Jehovah.
26Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice:
27but it shall be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may do the service of Jehovah before him with our burnt-offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no portion in Jehovah.
28Therefore said we, It shall be, when they so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we shall say, Behold the pattern of the altar of Jehovah, which our fathers made, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice; but it is a witness between us and you.
29Far be it from us that we should rebel against Jehovah, and turn away this day from following Jehovah, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for meal-offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of Jehovah our God that is before his tabernacle.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
23we are building for ourselves an altar to turn back from after Jehovah, and if to cause to go up on it burnt-offering and present, and if to make on it peace-offerings--Jehovah Himself doth require it .
24`And if not, from fear of this thing we have done it, saying, Hereafter your sons do speak to ours sons, saying, What to you and to Jehovah God of Israel?
25for a border hath Jehovah put between us and you, O sons of Reuben, and sons of Gad--Jordan; ye have no portion in Jehovah--and your sons have caused our sons to cease, not to fear Jehovah.
26`And we say, Pray let us prepare for ourselves to build the altar--not for burnt-offering nor for sacrifice--
27but a witness it is between us and you, and between our generations after us, to do the service of Jehovah before Him with our burnt-offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings, and your sons do not say hereafter to our sons, Ye have no portion in Jehovah.
28`And we say, And it hath been, when they say so unto us, and unto our generations hereafter, that we have said, See the pattern of the altar of Jehovah, which our fathers made--not for burnt-offering nor for sacrifice--but a witness it is between us and you.
29`Far be it from us to rebel against Jehovah, and to turn back to-day from after Jehovah, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for present, and for sacrifice, apart from the altar of Jehovah our God, which is before His tabernacle.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
23— that we have built for ourselves an altar to turn from following Jehovah, and if it is to offer up burnt-offering and oblation on it, and if to offer peace-offerings thereon, let Jehovah himself require it [from us];
24and if we have not done it from fear of this thing, saying, In future your children will speak to our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah the God of Israel?
25Jehovah hath made the Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad, ye have no portion in Jehovah! And so shall your children make our children cease from fearing Jehovah.
26And we said, Let us now set to work to build an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice,
27but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we might do service to Jehovah before him with our burnt-offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings; that your children may not say to our children in future, Ye have no portion in Jehovah.
28And we said, If it shall be that in future they so say to us and to our generations, we will say, Behold the pattern of the altar of Jehovah which our fathers made, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice, but as a witness between us and you.
29Far be it from us that we should rebel against Jehovah, and turn this day from following Jehovah, in building an altar for burnt-offering, for oblation, and for sacrifice, besides the altar of Jehovah our God that is before his tabernacle.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
23And if we did it with that mind, that we might lay upon it holocausts, and sacrifice, and victims of peace offerings, let him require and judge:
24And not rather with this thought and design, that we should say: To morrow your children will say to our children: What have you to do with the Lord the God of Israel?
25The Lord hath put the river Jordan for a border between us and you, O ye children of Ruben, and ye children of Gad: and therefore you have no part in the Lord. And by this occasion your children shall turn away our children from the fear of the Lord. We therefore thought it best,
26And said: Let us build us an altar, not for holocausts, nor to offer victims,
27But for a testimony between us and you, and our posterity and yours, that we may serve the Lord, and that we may have a right to offer both holocausts, and victims and sacrifices of peace offerings: and that your children to morrow may not say to our children: You have no part in the Lord.
28And if they will say so, they shall answer them: Behold the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for holocausts, nor for sacrifice, but for a testimony between us and you.
29God keep us from any such wickedness that we should revolt from the Lord, and leave off following his steps, by building an altar to offer holocausts, and sacrifices, and victims, beside the altar of the Lord our God, which is erected before his tabernacle.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Joshua 22:23
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
The commentators agree that the altar built by Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh was never intended for sacrifice. It was a witness of shared worship, built out of fear that the Jordan River would eventually become a religious divide. The conditional oath in verse 23, 'let the Lord require it', is a self-imprecation: if the altar was for sacrifice, may God punish them. This is not a prayer for vengeance but a solemn claim of innocence. Calvin, Cambridge, and Gill all note that the tribes' explanation satisfied the western tribes, averting war. The word 'require' (H1245 baqash) carries the sense of calling to account, as in Deuteronomy 18:19. The structure of the speech, oath, explanation, witness, demonstrates that their action was prompted not by rebellion but by concern for future unity.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The altar was not built for sacrifice but as a witness to maintain unity in worship, and the oath in verse 23 is a sincere claim of innocence.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The purpose of the altar | All commentators agree it was a memorial, not for sacrifice. | Some question whether building any second altar was unwise given the law, but most see it as a legitimate precaution. |
| The meaning of 'require it' | It is a self-imprecation, calling on God to punish if guilty. | No significant debate; the phrase is understood as a judicial appeal. |
| The fear of division | The tribes acted to prevent future exclusion of their descendants from worship. | Whether this fear was warranted is debated; some see it as wise foresight, others as overly anxious. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The background of this passage is the settlement of the Promised Land after the conquest. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh chose land east of the Jordan (Numbers 32). The physical boundary of the Jordan River created a real separation from the main body of Israel, where the Tabernacle stood at Shiloh. The law in Deuteronomy 12 required all sacrifices to be offered only at the place God chose, a central sanctuary. So when the eastern tribes built an altar, the western tribes immediately suspected rebellion, recalling the sin of Peor (Numbers 25) and the trespass of Achan (Joshua 7). The fear was that a second altar would lead to idolatry and schism.
In their defense, the eastern tribes articulate a motive of 'anxiety' (H1674 deagah), a careful concern that future generations might be told, 'You have no portion in Yahweh' because the river separates them. To counter this, they built a replica of the altar, not to offer sacrifices, but as a 'witness' (ed) that they share the same God and the same sanctuary. This act was a preventive measure against future alienation. As Calvin observes, they 'consult timelessly for their posterity' that the altar might be a 'public document' to defend their right in communal worship. The narrative shows how a potential conflict was resolved through honest explanation and a shared commitment to the unity of God's people.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries do not mention any significant textual variants for Joshua 22:23-29. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The main textual question, if any, would involve the repetition of names (Gad and Reuben are sometimes mentioned without half-Manasseh, as the Cambridge Bible notes, but this is likely stylistic brevity).
Reception History
In Christian history, Joshua 22 has often been cited as a model for handling disputes within the church. The early church father Augustine used the passage to argue that good faith must be presumed in fellow believers until proven otherwise. The Reformers, especially Calvin, saw in it a justification for secondary symbols that point to Christ, as long as they do not compete with the primary means of grace. The passage has also been used in discussions about church unity: it warns against hasty judgments and shows the value of open communication. The phrase 'a witness between us and you' became a motto for inter‑church agreements in some movements. In modern contexts, the narrative is often applied to denominational divisions, urging Christians to find common symbols rather than let boundaries become barriers.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Misunderstanding and the Fear of Division, The western tribes assumed the worst. Our first instinct is often suspicion. The eastern tribes could have retaliated, but they chose explanation.
- A Witness, Not a Rival Altar, The altar was a symbol, not a replacement. The core issue: do our actions build unity or reinforce separation? The eastern tribes built something that pointed to the true worship at Shiloh.
- The Oath of Innocence, They invoked God's judgment on themselves if guilty. This shows a deep trust in God's justice and a willingness to be held accountable.
Five-Point Outline
- Context of Tension (Joshua 22:10-20), The near war over a rumour.
- The Oath as a Defense (v.23), 'Let Yahweh require it.' An appeal to divine judgment.
- The Motive Explained (v.24-25), Fear for future generations, not rebellion.
- The Purpose of the Altar (v.26-28), A witness for unity, not a place of sacrifice.
- The Abhorrence of Sin (v.29), 'Far be it from us to rebel.'
Illustration Hooks
- Wedding Rings and Vows, A ring is not the marriage; it is a witness of the covenant. The altar worked the same way: a physical reminder of a spiritual commitment.
- Neighbourhood Rumours, When neighbours suspect you of wrongdoing, the best response is not offence but calm explanation. The eastern tribes gave a reason for their action, and it restored peace.
- Shared Heritage, A family crest or a monument in a park can remind future generations of a shared story. The altar was that kind of marker.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- How can we prevent misunderstandings from dividing the church?
- What role do physical symbols play in our faith today?
- When is it right to build a 'witness' rather than directly confront a problem?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows a community nearly torn apart by a misunderstanding. The eastern tribes, reacting to potential future division, built an altar as a witness of their shared covenant with God. Their careful explanation and willingness to be held accountable teach us about conflict resolution and the importance of visible reminders of our faith.
Discussion Questions
- What assumptions did the western tribes make about the altar? What can we learn from their initial reaction?
- Read verses 22-23. Why do the eastern tribes begin with an oath? What does the phrase 'let the LORD require it' mean in this context?
- Identify the fear expressed in verses 24-25. Have you ever seen physical distance or differences lead to spiritual separation?
- The word 'witness' appears three times. How does the altar function as a witness? Compare it to other biblical witnesses (e.g., the stones in Joshua 4, the stone of witness in Genesis 31).
- Verse 29 contains a strong denial: 'Far be it from us to rebel.' Why is it important to name our own sin explicitly when clearing up a misunderstanding?
- How does this story encourage careful communication before conflict escalates? What steps can our group take to model this?
- In what ways might we need to build 'memorials' in our own lives to remind future generations of our commitment to God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 9:4 | But flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you shall not eat. |
| Deuteronomy 12:11 | then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh. |
| Deuteronomy 18:19 | It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. |
| I Samuel 20:16 | So Jonathan made a covenant with David’s house, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” |
| II Chronicles 24:22 | Thus Joash the king didn’t remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, “May Yahweh look at it, and repay it.” |
| Psalms 10:13 | Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account”? |
| Psalms 10:14 | But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. |
| Ezekiel 3:18 | When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die;’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains that the altar built by the eastern tribes was not intended for sacrifice, since the law forbade offerings outside the designated place. It served only as a visible testimony that they shared the same faith and covenant with the tribes west of Jordan.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that the Law forbids only statues made to represent God, not memorial stones built as public reminders of God's acts. The altar was a bond of brotherly union and a precaution against future exclusion of the eastern tribes, preserving their shared worship of the one God.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible commentary highlights that the eastern tribes built their altar not as a rival place of worship but as a lasting witness to their unity with the rest of Israel. It notes the remarkable calmness of the accused, who defended themselves without any reproach, and clarifies the altar was a memorial, not a copy of the tabernacle altar.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights that the altar by the Jordan was not built for sacrifice, which would have been rebellion against God's command to worship only at the Tabernacle. Instead, it was a witness to prevent future generations from wrongly claiming the eastern tribes had no part in the Lord.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the tribes' deep fear that future generations would be told they had no part in the Lord or His worship. The altar they built was never intended for sacrifice but as a permanent witness that they shared the same God and covenant. Gill also notes the Targum's phrase "part in the Word of the Lord," pointing to the Messiah.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch emphasize that the two and a half tribes swore a threefold divine name oath to prove they built the altar not for sacrifice but out of fear. They worried that future generations would claim the Jordan cut them off from worship, so they made a replica altar as a witness to their shared covenant with Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes the tribes built the altar as a witness, not for sacrifice, to remind future generations that they shared in worship at the one tabernacle. Their careful explanation showed they were blameless, acting to prevent division and preserve unity in serving the Lord.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley explains that separation from public worship gradually destroys the life and power of religion, even if its form remains. He interprets the altar as a witness to unity, showing that both groups serve the same God and share the same altar, not as a rival place of worship.