Joshua 22:26-27
Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the LORD in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, “You have no portion in the LORD.”’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The crucial point here isn't just that they didn't intend to offer sacrifices, but why they felt the need to clarify this: it was to prevent their children from being told they had "no part in the LORD." This altar, they explained, was purely a witness, a memorial to ensure their descendants wouldn't be cut off from the rest of Israel and their shared worship.
The other tribes of Israel heard that the eastern tribes had built a large altar by the Jordan River and, fearing they were setting up an unauthorized worship center, prepared for war. A delegation, led by the high priest's son, Phinehas, went to confront them. The eastern tribes, faced with this accusation, explained that the altar was not for sacrifice but was intended solely as a memorial to ensure future generations wouldn't be excluded from worship in Israel.
Why build an altar if not for sacrifice? The tribes beyond the Jordan had a surprising answer that challenged their brothers' assumptions.
The altar built by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh caused a major stir among the other Israelites. They feared it was a sign of idolatry, a departure from worshipping the Lord at the central sanctuary.
But the builders' intention was different. They clarified, "Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice (Joshua 22:26)." This wasn't an altar for worship, but a memorial.
Their fear was that, separated by the Jordan River, future generations might forget their shared heritage and God. They worried their children would be told, "You have no part in the LORD" (Joshua 22:27). The altar was a physical reminder, a 'witness,' to ensure unity in faith and worship for generations to come.
When misunderstanding strikes, how quickly do we jump to conclusions? The story of this altar reveals the danger of assumptions.
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The discovery of the altar on the west side of the Jordan sparked immediate alarm. The other tribes gathered, ready for war, because they assumed the worst: that their brothers were turning away from the Lord.
Their initial reaction was strong and unified, driven by a zeal for God's commands regarding worship. They rightly remembered the consequences of past unfaithfulness, like the incident at Peor and Achan's sin (Joshua 22:17-20).
However, their zeal outran their knowledge. Instead of assuming rebellion, a wiser first step was to send a delegation to inquire. This approach, led by Phinehas the priest, allowed for clear communication and prevented a tragic conflict.
Understand the original words
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A structure used for ritual worship, often involving the slaughter and burning of animal offerings to God, serving as a point of mediation or memorial between God and His people.
olah · Hebrew Noun
A voluntary act of worship where the entire animal is consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing the offerer's total dedication and surrender to God.
zebach · Hebrew Noun
A general term for any religious gift offered to God, often involving blood sacrifice, to maintain communion, express gratitude, or seek atonement.
ed · Hebrew Noun
Something that serves as evidence or testimony to establish a fact, covenant, or agreement; in this context, it confirms a shared identity and religious loyalty.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The specific name of the God of Israel, YHWH, revealed to Moses; it signifies His eternal existence, covenant faithfulness, and redemptive nature.
shelem · Hebrew Noun
An offering brought to the temple or tabernacle as a sign of fellowship and thanksgiving; it often involved a shared meal between the worshiper and God.
cheleq · Hebrew Noun
A legal or covenantal share, inheritance, or right; here it refers to having a legitimate place and covenantal standing within the people of God.
This incident highlights the deep anxiety over religious unity after the conquest of Canaan. The altar, though not for sacrifice, was built to prevent future generations of the eastern tribes from being excluded from the covenant community, demonstrating how physical and spiritual boundaries can intersect.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
After decades of wandering in the desert, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquered the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham. This marked the beginning of their settlement in the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land
The land of Canaan was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, were given territory on the east side of the Jordan River, while the other tribes settled on the west.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Construction of the Altar
The tribes east of the Jordan built a large altar near the Jordan River. This act was misinterpreted by the western tribes as a move towards idolatry and a rejection of the central sanctuary at Shiloh.
c. 1400 BC
Diplomatic Mission to the East
A delegation, including Phinehas the priest, was sent to the eastern tribes to demand an explanation for the altar, fearing a breach in Israel's religious unity.
c. 1400 BC
Reconciliation and Understanding
The eastern tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifice but a memorial to serve as a witness, ensuring future generations would remember their shared heritage and covenant with the Lord.
c. 1400 BC
Resolution and Peace
The delegation accepted the explanation, averting a potential civil war. The altar was named 'Ed,' meaning 'witness,' solidifying the understanding and unity between the two sides of the Jordan.
This passage highlights God's instructions for building altars for worship, emphasizing they should not be made of hewn stones and should be built in a place God designates. The Reubenites' altar, while not for sacrifice, is built with a specific purpose to avoid violating this principle.
Deuteronomy 12:5-7These verses command Israel to worship and offer sacrifices only at the central sanctuary God chooses. The fear that the Reubenites' altar might lead their children away from this central worship is precisely why the other tribes are concerned.
Deuteronomy 13:13-15This passage describes what to do if a city is suspected of idolatry, emphasizing investigation before judgment. The approach of the other tribes, sending a delegation to inquire rather than immediately attacking, mirrors this principle of careful discernment.
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua's final charge to Israel calls them to choose whom they will serve, but to serve the LORD. The Reubenites' concern about their children losing their connection to the LORD underscores the importance of actively preserving this commitment across generations.
1 Corinthians 10:31Paul's exhortation to do everything for God's glory applies here. The Reubenites' explanation that their altar was not for idolatry but for unity and remembrance demonstrates their desire to honor God in their actions, even when misunderstood.
calvinJoshua 22:21-34: "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,"
Si cogitavimus aedificare nobis altare, ut averteremur ne iremus post Jehovam, et si ad immolandum super illud holocausta et sacrificium, et si ad faciendum super illud sacrificia prosperitatum, Jehova ipse inquirat.
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak u…
pulpitJoshua 22:26: "Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:"
Verse 26. - Let us now prepare to build us an altar. Literally, let us make now to build to us an altar. Burnt offering, nor for sacrifice. In the "burnt offering" the whole victim was consumed. In the "sacrifice" part only was offered on the altar. The rest was eaten by the priest or the person who offered it.
The crucial point here isn't just that they didn't intend to offer sacrifices, but why they felt the need to clarify this: it was to prevent their children from being told they had "no part in the LORD." This altar, they explained, was purely a witness, a memorial to ensure their descendants wouldn't be cut off from the rest of Israel and their shared worship.
The other tribes of Israel heard that the eastern tribes had built a large altar by the Jordan River and, fearing they were setting up an unauthorized worship center, prepared for war. A delegation, led by the high priest's son, Phinehas, went to confront them. The eastern tribes, faced with this accusation, explained that the altar was not for sacrifice but was intended solely as a memorial to ensure future generations wouldn't be excluded from worship in Israel.
The other tribes of Israel heard that the eastern tribes had built a large altar by the Jordan River and, fearing they were setting up an unauthorized worship center, prepared for war. A delegation, led by the high priest's son, Phinehas, went to confront them. The eastern tribes, faced with this accusation, explained that the altar was not for sacrifice but was intended solely as a memorial to ensure future generations wouldn't be excluded from worship in Israel.
"Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the LORD in his presence with our bur…" — The crucial point here isn't just that they didn't intend to offer sacrifices, but why they felt the need to clarify this: it was to prevent their children from being told they had "no part in th…
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