Joshua 22:26
Joshua 22:26 in Multiple Translations
That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice:
So we said, Let us now make an altar for ourselves, not for burned offerings or for the offerings of beasts:
So we said to ourselves, ‘Let's build an altar, not for burnt offerings or for sacrifices,
Therefore we said, We will nowe go about to make vs an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,
'And we say, Pray let us prepare for ourselves to build the altar — not for burnt-offering nor for sacrifice —
“Therefore we said, ‘Let’s now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice;
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice:
And said: Let us build us an altar, not for holocausts, nor to offer victims,
“That is the reason that we decided to build that new altar. But it is not an altar for completely burning sacrifices of animals and burning other sacrifices.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 22:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 22:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/נֹּ֕אמֶר
נַעֲשֶׂה
נָּ֣א
לָ֔/נוּ
לִ/בְנ֖וֹת
אֶת
הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
לֹ֥א
לְ/עוֹלָ֖ה
וְ/לֹ֥א
לְ/זָֽבַח
וַ/נֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cp
נַעֲשֶׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-1cp
נָּ֣א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
לָ֔/נוּ
Prep | Suff
לִ/בְנ֖וֹת
bânâh
H1129
to build
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
mizbêach
H4196
altar
Art | N-ms
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
לְ/עוֹלָ֖ה
ʻôlâh
H5930
burnt offering
Prep | N-fs
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
לְ/זָֽבַח
zebach
H2077
sacrifice
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 22:26
וַ/נֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נַעֲשֶׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-1cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
נָּ֣א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
לָ֔/נוּ
""
Prep | Suff
לִ/בְנ֖וֹת
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
Art | N-ms
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
לְ/עוֹלָ֖ה
ʻôlâh
H5930
"burnt offering"
Prep | N-fs
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Definition: whole burnt offering Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also H5766 (עֶוֶל). See also: Genesis 8:20; Numbers 15:5; 2 Chronicles 29:7.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
לְ/זָֽבַח
zebach
H2077
"sacrifice"
Prep | N-ms
A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.
Definition: 1) sacrifice 1a) sacrifices of righteousness 1b) sacrifices of strife 1c) sacrifices to dead things 1d) the covenant sacrifice 1e) the passover 1f) annual sacrifice 1g) thank offering
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: offer(-ing), sacrifice. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 2:19; Psalms 4:6.
Study Notes — Joshua 22:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Altar of Witness
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.’Joshua 22:26 Summary
[The Reubenites and Gadites wanted to build an altar as a reminder to their descendants to worship the Lord, as they were afraid that they might forget or be excluded from worshiping Him, similar to the concerns in Deuteronomy 6:10-12. They didn't want to use the altar for sacrifices, but rather as a witness to their faith, like a monument to remind them of their commitment to the Lord. This shows how important it is to prioritize our faith and to take steps to preserve it for future generations, as taught in Proverbs 22:6 and Psalm 78:4-7.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Reubenites and Gadites want to build an altar in Joshua 22:26?
The Reubenites and Gadites wanted to build an altar as a witness to their faith and to prevent their descendants from being excluded from worshiping the Lord, as seen in Joshua 22:24-25, and to demonstrate their commitment to the Lord, similar to the covenant made in Exodus 24:8.
Was the altar for sacrifices or burnt offerings?
No, according to Joshua 22:26, the altar was not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but rather as a witness to their faith, similar to the altar built in Joshua 8:30-35, which was also for worship and obedience to the Lord's commands.
How does this relate to the rest of the Bible?
This event in Joshua 22:26 is part of the larger narrative of God's people trying to stay faithful to Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:10-14, and it shows how important it is to prioritize worship and obedience, as taught in Romans 12:1-2 and Hebrews 10:25.
What can we learn from the Reubenites and Gadites' actions?
We can learn the importance of taking proactive steps to preserve our faith and to ensure that future generations will continue to worship the Lord, as seen in Psalm 78:4-7 and 2 Timothy 2:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can take action to preserve my faith and pass it down to future generations, just like the Reubenites and Gadites?
- How can I balance the desire to honor God with the potential for misunderstanding or misinterpretation by others, as seen in Joshua 22:26-28?
- In what ways can I use my life and actions as a witness to my faith, just like the altar built by the Reubenites and Gadites?
- What are some potential consequences of not taking proactive steps to preserve our faith, as warned in Joshua 22:24-25?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 22:26
Therefore we said,.... One to another, in order to prevent the apostasy of our children from God, their departure from his worship, and going into idolatry: let us now prepare to build us an altar;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 22:26
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 22:26
Joshua 22:26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:Ver. 26. To build us an altar, not for burnt offering, &c.] This they often deny, and disclaim as a thing they abhorred. So John Baptist "confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ." He did it frequently, solemnly, Verbis non solum desertis sed et exsertis. he thrust away that honour with both hands earnestly, as knowing the danger of falling into the punishing hands of a just and jealous God.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 22:26
(26) An altar.—Rather, the altar. It was not an altar (Joshua 22:23), but the altar, i.e., the pattern or copy of the altar of Jehovah, to prove that the two and a half tribes had the same right to approach Him as all the rest.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 22:26
Verse 26. An altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice] Because this would have been in flat opposition to the law, Leviticus 17:8-9; Deuteronomy 12:4-6; Deuteronomy 12:10-11; Deuteronomy 12:13-14, which most positively forbade any sacrifice or offering to be made in any other place than that one which the Lord should choose. Therefore the altar built by the Reubenites, &c., was for no religious purpose, but merely to serve as a testimony that they were one people with those on the west of Jordan, having the same religious and civil constitution, and bound by the same interests to keep that constitution inviolate.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 22:26
26. Let us now prepare to build] “Exstruamus nobis altare,” Vulgate. “Make we out to vs an auter,” Wyclif.