Joshua 22:34 kjv
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.
Joshua 22:34 nkjv
The children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar, Witness, "For it is a witness between us that the LORD is God."
Joshua 22:34 niv
And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us?that the LORD is God.
Joshua 22:34 esv
The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, "For," they said, "it is a witness between us that the LORD is God."
Joshua 22:34 nlt
The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar "Witness," for they said, "It is a witness between us and them that the LORD is our God, too."
Joshua 22 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jos 4:6-7 | "When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean…’ then you shall tell them…" | Memorials for future generations to understand God's work. |
| Jos 24:27 | "And Joshua said to all the people, 'Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us…'" | Stones serving as witnesses to covenant promises/obligations. |
| Gen 31:48 | "Then Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me today.' So he called its name Galeed…" | Naming a heap or monument as a witness of an agreement/covenant. |
| Deut 12:5-7 | "You shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose… and there you shall bring your burnt offerings…" | Centralized worship to prevent idolatry and preserve unity. |
| Lev 17:3-9 | "If any man… slaughters an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp or outside the camp and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting… he shall be cut off…" | Strictly regulates sacrificial worship to the one designated place. |
| Deut 6:14 | "You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you…" | Prohibition against idolatry, central to maintaining true faith. |
| Exod 20:3 | "You shall have no other gods before me." | First commandment, foundational to Israel's monotheistic faith. |
| 1 Cor 8:4-6 | "There is no God but one. For although there may be so-called gods… yet for us there is one God…" | Christian affirmation of one true God, echoing Israel's monotheism. |
| Eph 4:3-6 | "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…" | Emphasis on the unity of God's people in one faith and one Lord. |
| Ps 133:1 | "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" | Highlighting the blessing and pleasantness of communal unity. |
| Jer 31:33 | "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people." | God's covenant with His people, signifying His unique relationship with them. |
| Mal 2:10 | "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?" | Appeals to shared heritage and one Creator to underscore unity. |
| Acts 15:1-21 | The Jerusalem Council resolving the Gentile inclusion dispute. | A later example of a theological dispute resolved through discussion to maintain unity. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | Nations joining Israel to seek the LORD. | Prophetic vision of future unity around the true God. |
| Isa 43:10-12 | "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen… that you may know and believe me…" | God calls His people to be His witnesses in the world. |
| John 4:20-24 | Discussion of proper place of worship, Jesus speaks of worshipping "in spirit and truth." | Shifts focus from physical location to the nature of worship itself, transcending places. |
| Rom 15:5-6 | "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus…" | Praying for unity among believers, praising God with one voice. |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you…" | The purpose of God's people is to declare His nature and truth. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." | Encourages active pursuit of peace, which was preserved in Joshua 22. |
| Phil 2:1-4 | Exhortation to unity, humility, and looking out for others. | Principles for resolving conflict and fostering harmony among believers. |
Joshua 22 verses
Joshua 22 34 Meaning
Joshua 22:34 records the culmination of a tense encounter between the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) and the Cisjordanian tribes of Israel. The eastern tribes built a large altar by the Jordan River, which the western tribes feared was a defection from the prescribed central worship and an act of schism. Upon inquiry, the eastern tribes clarified that the altar was not for forbidden sacrifices but as a perpetual memorial and visible symbol of their shared allegiance to the LORD (Yahweh) as the one true God, thereby confirming their integral place within the covenant community and their right to worship Him. They named it "Ed," meaning "Witness," explicitly stating its purpose to testify to their unity and common faith for future generations.
Joshua 22 34 Context
Joshua chapter 22 depicts a critical moment after the conquest of Canaan, as the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh are granted permission by Joshua to return to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River, having faithfully assisted the other tribes in the western conquest. Before departing, they construct a large, conspicuous altar near the Jordan. This act is immediately perceived by the western tribes as a grave apostasy and a rebellion against the LORD, threatening the fragile unity of Israel and violating the command for one central sanctuary for worship (Deut 12). Driven by zeal for God's law and remembrance of past transgressions (like Peor, Num 25), the western tribes prepare for war. However, they first send a delegation, led by Phinehas the priest and ten tribal chiefs, to confront the eastern tribes. Through careful communication and explanation, the eastern tribes clarify their intention: the altar was not for rival sacrifices but a symbolic witness (Ed) to their continuing fellowship with the western tribes and their allegiance to the one true God, preventing future generations from questioning their inheritance or right to worship. Joshua 22:34 encapsulates this resolution, where the symbolic naming of the altar averts civil war and affirms national and theological unity.
Joshua 22 34 Word analysis
- And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad: Highlights the two tribes most directly associated with the action, as their full tribal inheritances were east of the Jordan. This emphasizes a shared decision and corporate identity distinct from the other tribes.
- called: (Hebrew: qārāʾ, קרא) Meaning "to name," "to call out," or "to proclaim." Here, it signifies the deliberate act of assigning a significant identity and purpose to the altar, making its true intention explicit and public. The act of naming defines its function.
- the altar: (Hebrew: ham-mizbēaḥ, המזבח) Refers to the physical structure built. An "altar" typically implies a place of sacrifice, making its construction a contentious issue given the Law of the single, central sanctuary (Deut 12:5-7). The core of the conflict was over the purpose of this structure, not merely its existence.
- Ed: (Hebrew: ʿĒḏ, עֵד) The specific name given to the altar, meaning "witness" or "testimony." This single word radically redefines the structure's purpose from a place of sacrifice (which would be illegitimate) to a perpetual monument signifying remembrance and affirmation of truth. It served as a physical reminder of an unseen spiritual reality.
- ‘For it is a witness between us: Explicitly states the function of the "altar." The witness is not merely to God but between the two groups of tribes (eastern and western), confirming their mutual covenant relationship and shared faith despite geographical separation. It ensures future generations remember their unified heritage and right to worship at the one central altar.
- that the LORD is God.’: (Hebrew: kî YHWH hûʾ ha-ʾĕlōhîm, כי יהוה הוא האלהים) This is a foundational theological declaration. YHWH (the personal covenant name of God) is unequivocally ha-ʾĕlōhîm (the God, the only true God). This affirms exclusive monotheism. The altar stands as a testament that both sides of the Jordan worship the same, one true God, solidifying their theological unity against any possible suggestion of worshipping other deities or forming a separate religion. This declaration prevented a religious schism.
Joshua 22 34 Bonus section
- The event in Joshua 22 is sometimes referred to as the "Altar of Witness" incident. It serves as an important early case study in conflict resolution within a community committed to the same divine law.
- The emphasis on "witness" through a physical structure is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, reminding future generations of significant events or covenant obligations. This reflects a pedagogical approach to passing on spiritual heritage.
- The deep fear of apostasy and syncretism among the western tribes highlights the vulnerability of early Israel to surrounding pagan influences. The response demonstrates a vibrant, if sometimes overzealous, commitment to monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh.
- Phinehas's role as mediator, recalling his previous zeal for God at Peor (Num 25), reinforces his authority and credibility in dealing with potential sin, yet his approach here demonstrates wisdom and a willingness to listen.
- The affirmation "the LORD is God" serves as a counter-polemic against the polytheistic cultures surrounding Israel, emphasizing their unique covenant relationship with the one sovereign God.
Joshua 22 34 Commentary
Joshua 22:34 is a pivotal verse, marking the successful resolution of a significant national crisis rooted in misunderstanding and misinterpretation. The naming of the altar "Ed" ("Witness") eloquently clarified the Transjordanian tribes' intentions: the structure was not a rival sanctuary or a symbol of apostasy, but a perpetual monument testifying to their undiminished unity with the rest of Israel and their exclusive allegiance to the LORD as the one true God. This incident profoundly underscores the critical importance of open communication, charitable inquiry, and patience in resolving inter-communal disputes, particularly within the community of faith. It illustrates zeal for God's law tempered by the wisdom to seek understanding, thereby averting a potentially catastrophic civil war. The event also highlights Israel's nascent struggles with the practical implementation of Mosaic law regarding worship, demonstrating how God’s people learned to navigate faith and practice, with unity and theological fidelity being paramount. This foundational principle—that shared allegiance to God brings peace and preserves community—remains relevant for any body of believers facing division or suspicion.