Joshua 22:24
Joshua 22:24 in Multiple Translations
But 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?
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
and if we have not rather out of carefulness done this, and of purpose, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah, the God of Israel?
And if we have not, in fact, done this designedly and with purpose, having in our minds the fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, What have you to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?
We did this because we were worried that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you got to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?
And if we haue not rather done it for feare of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might say vnto our children, What haue ye to doe with the Lord God of Israel?
'And if not, from fear of [this] thing we have done it, saying, Hereafter your sons do speak to ours sons, saying, What to you and to Jehovah God of Israel?
“If we have not out of concern done this, and for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children may speak to our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
And not rather with this thought and design, that we should say: Tomorrow your children will say to our children: What have you to do with the Lord the God of Israel?
“This is the reason that we built that altar: We were afraid/worried that some day your descendants would say that our descendants are not true Israelis. We were afraid that then they would say, ‘You are not allowed to worship Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis worship.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 22:24
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Joshua 22:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 22:24
Study Notes — Joshua 22:24
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 22:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 22:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 22:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
- Cambridge Bible on Joshua 22:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
- Sermons on Joshua 22:24
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 4:6 | to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 6:20 | In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” |
| 3 | Genesis 30:33 | So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen.” |
| 4 | Exodus 13:14 | In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. |
| 5 | Genesis 18:19 | For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” |
Joshua 22:24 Summary
[The Reubenites and Gadites built an altar as a reminder to their descendants of their shared faith in the LORD, the God of Israel, and to prevent them from saying they had no share in the LORD, as seen in Joshua 22:24. This shows how much they valued their relationship with God and wanted to pass it down to their children. Just like them, we can prioritize our faith and loyalty to God, and consider how our actions may impact our own children and future generations, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:24 and Proverbs 22:6. By doing so, we can demonstrate our love and commitment to the LORD, just as the Reubenites and Gadites did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Reubenites and Gadites build an altar, and was it a sin?
The Reubenites and Gadites built an altar as a witness to their faith in the LORD, the God of Israel, and to prevent future generations from saying they had no share in the LORD, as seen in Joshua 22:24 and supported by the context of Joshua 22:22-23, where they express their loyalty to the LORD.
How does this verse relate to the concept of faith and loyalty to God?
This verse highlights the importance of faith and loyalty to God, as the Reubenites and Gadites wanted to ensure their descendants would continue to fear and worship the LORD, just as they did, as expressed in Joshua 22:24 and reminiscent of Deuteronomy 6:24, which commands the Israelites to fear and obey the LORD.
What can we learn from the Reubenites' and Gadites' concern for their descendants' faith?
We can learn the importance of considering the long-term effects of our actions on our children and future generations, and making decisions that will help them stay faithful to the LORD, as seen in Joshua 22:24 and supported by Proverbs 22:6, which encourages parents to train their children in the ways of the LORD.
How does this verse demonstrate the Reubenites' and Gadites' understanding of God's character?
This verse shows that the Reubenites and Gadites understood God's character as a God who desires faithfulness and obedience from His people, as expressed in Joshua 22:24 and consistent with Exodus 20:5-6, which highlights God's desire for loyalty and obedience from His people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can ensure that my faith is passed down to the next generation, just like the Reubenites and Gadites wanted to do?
- How can I demonstrate my loyalty to the LORD in my daily life, just as the Reubenites and Gadites did by building the altar?
- What are some potential consequences of not prioritizing faith and loyalty to God, as warned against in Joshua 22:24?
- In what ways can I, like the Reubenites and Gadites, be mindful of the impact my actions may have on my descendants' relationship with the LORD?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 22:24
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 22:24
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 22:24
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 22:24
Sermons on Joshua 22:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Through the Bible - Joshua by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to God when He performs miracles in our lives. He uses the example of the Israelites crossing the River Jorda |
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God's Truth About the Home by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of passing down the teachings of God to future generations. He references Deuteronomy chapter 4, verses 9 and 10, which instru |
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Desert Survival Series Pt 31- Moses the Servant of God by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects our love for God. He acknowledges that people often forget the specific details of sermons, bu |
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Judges 2:7 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the cyclical nature of Israel's history in the book of Judges, where each generation experiences God's power, only to forget Him in times of prosperity. He h |
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Crisis in Abraham's Life 02 by Rick Bovey | In this sermon, the preacher talks about a man named Jacob and his attitude towards work and relationships. The preacher acknowledges that Jacob is often seen in a negative light, |
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(Exodus) Exodus 12:1-2 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of the Passover feast and the death of the firstborn. He emphasizes that redemption is achieved through the blood of Jesus a |
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(Exodus) Exodus 13:14-19 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the journey of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. The Israelites were not initially prepared for warfare, so G |






