Joshua 22 23

Joshua 22:23 kjv

That 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;

Joshua 22:23 nkjv

If we have built ourselves an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer on it burnt offerings or grain offerings, or if to offer peace offerings on it, let the LORD Himself require an account.

Joshua 22:23 niv

If we have built our own altar to turn away from the LORD and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD himself call us to account.

Joshua 22:23 esv

for building an altar to turn away from following the LORD. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the LORD himself take vengeance.

Joshua 22:23 nlt

If we have built an altar for ourselves to turn away from the LORD or to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings, may the LORD himself punish us.

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 23 Meaning

Joshua 22:23 is a fervent oath from the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) to the other tribes of Israel. It asserts their absolute innocence concerning the large altar they built, declaring it was not intended for defection from the Lord or for offering any type of forbidden sacrifices (burnt offerings, grain offerings, or peace offerings). They emphatically invoke God's judgment upon themselves if their intentions were contrary to their declaration, demonstrating the gravity of their oath and their commitment to the one true God.

Joshua 22 23 Context

Joshua chapter 22 details the poignant and volatile misunderstanding between the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) and the Cisjordanian tribes. Having faithfully fulfilled their obligations in conquering Canaan, the Transjordanian tribes were honorably dismissed by Joshua to return to their inheritance east of the Jordan. Before crossing, they built a conspicuous, large altar-like structure by the Jordan. Upon hearing of this, the other tribes immediately presumed apostasy and a defection from the central worship place (Shiloh), directly violating the Deuteronomic law concerning a single, central sanctuary for all Israel. Fearing divine wrath upon the entire nation, similar to the Achan incident, they assembled for war against their brothers. Joshua 22:23 is a core part of the Transjordanian tribes' fervent, self-incriminating oath, desperately clarifying their true intentions and denying any idolatrous or rebellious purpose for their construction. Their solemn appeal to God Himself to punish them if they were lying underscores the gravity of their plea and their commitment to YHWH, highlighting the depth of their commitment and the prevailing fear of breaking covenant with God. The tension centered on ensuring Israel's unity and singular devotion to YHWH, rejecting any move towards pluralistic worship or breaking covenant.

Joshua 22 23 Word analysis

• or if: This phrase connects this verse directly to the preceding one (v. 22), where the tribes invoke the authority of God (Yahweh, God of gods) as a witness. It introduces a conditional clause, stating the conditions under which divine judgment should be brought upon them.
• we have built ourselves: Emphasizes the voluntary and deliberate act of constructing the 'altar'. The reflexivity ('ourselves') suggests a private endeavor, but it quickly became public and a point of contention.
• an altar: Hebrew: mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ). This word specifically means a "place of sacrifice" and typically refers to structures where burnt offerings are made. Its usage here, in conjunction with the subsequent denial of offerings, is critical. The Transjordanian tribes constructed something resembling an altar, which triggered the misunderstanding, even though their true intent was for it to be a "witness" (v. 27), not for sacrifices. The polemic is against setting up a rival cultic center.
• to turn away from the Lord: Hebrew: lashuv mimme'aher Adonai (לָשׁוּב מֵאַחֲרֵי יְהוָה). This is a strong idiom for apostasy, backsliding, or defecting from God. It implies abandoning the covenant relationship. This was the most serious charge imaginable against them, invoking divine wrath and separation from the community of faith, reminiscent of warnings in Deut 13.
• or to offer burnt offerings: Hebrew: o'lah (עֹלָה). The "burnt offering" was fully consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement, a core act of Israelite worship.
• or grain offerings: Hebrew: minchah (מִנְחָה). The "grain offering" often accompanied burnt offerings and expressed thanksgiving, devotion, and recognition of God's provision. It was a bloodless sacrifice.
• on it: Refers directly to the built structure, specifying the purpose for which it was not intended.
• or to make peace offerings on it: Hebrew: sh'lamim (שְׁלָמִים). The "peace offering" or "fellowship offering" was partly consumed by fire, with the remainder shared by the priests and offerers. It symbolized communion, peace, and reconciliation with God and between people. Denying offering these three primary types of sacrifices underscored their claim of pure intentions regarding the altar's function.
• let the Lord Himself require it: Hebrew: YHWH hu yevaqqesh (יְהוָה הוּא יְבַקֵּשׁ). This is a solemn imprecation or self-curse. They are appealing directly to God, asking Him to seek out, inquire, and execute judgment upon them if they are lying or harboring rebellious intent. It signifies absolute certainty in their innocence and reliance on God's perfect justice and omniscience to reveal the truth. It is the strongest possible form of denial.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "or if we have built ourselves an altar to turn away from the Lord": This phrase captures the Cisjordanian tribes' deep-seated fear and misunderstanding. They interpreted the new construction as an immediate act of apostasy, a direct challenge to the singularity of Israel's worship, which was paramount for maintaining their covenant with God. The Transjordanian tribes understood this interpretation and emphatically rejected it.
• "or to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings on it, or to make peace offerings on it": By specifically listing these three main categories of Israelite sacrifices—the o'lah (holistic dedication/atonement), the minchah (devotion/sustenance), and the sh'lamim (fellowship/communion)—the Transjordanian tribes assert that their structure was not a rival place of worship for the established cult. This clarifies that their purpose for the altar was distinct from cultic activity, mitigating the charge of usurping Shiloh's role.
• "let the Lord Himself require it": This profound declaration reveals their faith and understanding of God's character. They invoke God not merely as a witness, but as the active, righteous Judge who sees all and will exact punishment for deception or rebellion. It expresses a confident appeal to divine justice and omniscience, reinforcing the sincerity and depth of their denial. It is a powerful affirmation of their loyalty and devotion.

Joshua 22 23 Bonus section

• The mizbeach (altar) built by the Transjordanian tribes (which they named "Ed" or Witness in v. 34) was ultimately intended as a memorial, a tangible link to the God of their kinsmen across the Jordan, and a witness for future generations of their shared heritage and covenant. This distinction was critical for resolving the conflict.
• The incident highlights the zealous commitment to the Deuteronomic laws regarding a single central sanctuary, indicating its deep importance to Israel's identity and avoiding syncretism or division of loyalty.
• Phinehas, the son of Eleazar (High Priest), played a crucial role as an emissary in resolving this conflict. His actions reflect the biblical principle of seeking peaceful resolution through investigation and communication before resorting to warfare.
• This passage demonstrates the dangers of miscommunication and hasty judgment based solely on external appearances, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and understanding within God's people.

Joshua 22 23 Commentary

Joshua 22:23 encapsulates the Transjordanian tribes' desperate plea and a pivotal moment of tension and resolution for the united Israel. It represents their powerful declaration of loyalty to Yahweh, delivered as a self-curse, demonstrating their deep understanding of the gravity of covenant faithfulness and the sin of idolatry. Their earnest invocation for God Himself to judge them, should they be deceitful, underlines their integrity and conviction that their constructed "altar" was never intended for rival worship or defection from the central sanctuary at Shiloh. The verse serves to immediately disarm the accusation of apostasy, showing the spiritual sensitivity and mutual concern for God's holiness within Israel, emphasizing that what appears as defiance might, with true understanding and communication, be an act of devotion or remembrance. It teaches that motives are paramount and seen by God, and that fervent truth-telling can prevent catastrophic misunderstanding.