Joshua 22:27
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 verse highlights that the altar wasn't built for worship itself, but as a tangible reminder. It was intended to prevent future generations from questioning their connection to God, ensuring their shared inheritance in the Lord wouldn't be severed by geographic distance.
After the eastern tribes built a large altar on the Jordan River's edge, the rest of Israel feared they were setting up a rival worship center, potentially dividing the nation. To prevent war and clarify their intentions, a delegation was sent, and the eastern tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifice, but a memorial to ensure their descendants would always be recognized as part of Israel and have a place in worshipping the LORD.
Misunderstandings can quickly escalate into division. When the tribes east of the Jordan built a large altar, the other tribes feared they were creating their own separate worship. But the purpose was quite different.
Building Bridges of Faith
The tribes east of the Jordan built a prominent altar not for a new place of sacrifice, but as a visible reminder for future generations. They explained, “it may be a witness between us and you... that we might do the service of the LORD... with our burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
This altar was meant to be a memorial, a signpost pointing back to their shared worship at the central sanctuary in Shiloh. It was a way to say, "We are still part of you, and we still worship the same God in the same way."
Preventing Future Division
The primary fear was that, over time, the physical separation caused by the Jordan River would lead to spiritual separation. They worried that the western tribes' children would eventually say to their children, “You have no portion in the LORD.” This altar was built to prevent that future alienation and to ensure their descendants always remembered their unity in God.
Generations pass, and memories fade. What steps can we take to ensure our children and grandchildren know their vital connection to God and aren't excluded from His blessings?
The Peril of Disconnection
The most profound fear expressed by the eastern tribes was that their descendants would be cut off from their spiritual heritage. The fear wasn't just about access to the physical altar at Shiloh, but about being disowned by the covenant community. The taunt, 'You have no portion in the LORD,' struck at the very heart of their identity as God's people.
A Proactive Defense of Faith
Building the altar was a tangible act of faith. It was a declaration: "We are committed to the LORD, and we will ensure our children know it." They understood that maintaining their relationship with God required intentional effort, especially when faced with physical separation.
Understand the original words
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 passage highlights the deep anxiety over religious unity in ancient Israel. The potential for geographical separation to lead to spiritual division was a constant fear, prompting strong reactions to anything that seemed to fracture their shared worship at the central sanctuary.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan and Division of Land
Following the death of Moses, Joshua leads the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan. The land is then divided among the twelve tribes, with Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settling east of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC
Establishment of the Tabernacle at Shiloh
After the conquest and land division, the Tabernacle, containing the Ark of the Covenant, is set up at Shiloh, becoming the central place of worship for all twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Altar Built by Trans-Jordanian Tribes
The tribes east of the Jordan, having fulfilled their military promise to aid their brethren, build a large altar at the edge of the Jordan River, causing alarm among the other tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Leaders Confront Trans-Jordanian Tribes
The other tribes send a delegation, led by Phinehas the priest, to confront the Trans-Jordanian tribes, fearing they are rebelling against God by building a separate altar.
This passage speaks about the unity of believers as one body in Christ, echoing the deep concern in Joshua 22 for maintaining unity in worship and identity among the tribes of Israel.
Deuteronomy 12:5-14This passage directly instructs Israel to worship the Lord at the central sanctuary, providing the theological basis for the other tribes' concern that a separate altar might lead to division and idolatry.
Judges 12:1-6This passage demonstrates the tragic consequences of tribal division and identity disputes, highlighting the very real danger that the Reubenites and Gadites were trying to prevent by building their witness altar.
1 Samuel 7:12Samuel sets up a stone (Ebenezer) as a memorial after a victory, similar to how the Reubenites and Gadites built their altar as a tangible reminder and witness to their continued relationship with the Lord.
wesleyJoshua 22:27: "But 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."
22:27 Before him - That we and ours may have and hold our privilege of serving and worshiping God, not upon this altar, but in the place of God's presence, in your tabernacle, a…
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…
The verse highlights that the altar wasn't built for worship itself, but as a tangible reminder. It was intended to prevent future generations from questioning their connection to God, ensuring their shared inheritance in the Lord wouldn't be severed by geographic distance.
After the eastern tribes built a large altar on the Jordan River's edge, the rest of Israel feared they were setting up a rival worship center, potentially dividing the nation. To prevent war and clarify their intentions, a delegation was sent, and the eastern tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifice, but a memorial to ensure their descendants would always be recognized as part of Israel and have a place in worshipping the LORD.
After the eastern tribes built a large altar on the Jordan River's edge, the rest of Israel feared they were setting up a rival worship center, potentially dividing the nation. To prevent war and clarify their intentions, a delegation was sent, and the eastern tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifice, but a memorial to ensure their descendants would always be recognized as part of Israel and have a place in worshipping the LORD.
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This act serves as a powerful reminder that we have a responsibility to actively pass on our faith. It’s not enough to simply have faith ourselves; we must create ways for future generations to understand and embrace their own 'portion in the LORD.'
c. 1400 BC
Reconciliation and Recognition of Unity
The Trans-Jordanian tribes explain their altar is a memorial, not for sacrifice, intended to prove their continued unity with the rest of Israel and ensure their descendants are not excluded from worship.
"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 chil…" — The verse highlights that the altar wasn't built for worship itself, but as a tangible reminder. It was intended to prevent future generations from questioning their connection to God, ensuring their…
