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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 22:34 So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar Witness, for they said, "It is a witness between us that the LORD is God."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/22-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/06_Jos_22_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 22:34 - The Offensive Altar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar Witness, for they said, It is a witness between us that the LORD is God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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&#8220For,&#8221 they said, &#8220it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar <i>Witness;</i> “For,” <i>they said,</i> “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar <i>Witness</i>; “For,” <i>they said</i>, “it is a witness between us that Yahweh is God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar <i>Witness;</i> “For it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar: It is a witness between us that the LORD is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar: It is a witness between us that the LORD is God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: For, said they, it is a witness between us that Jehovah is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar "A Reminder to Us All That the LORD Is Our God." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: For, said they, it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The tribes of Reuben and Gad gave the altar a name: Witness Between Us That the LORD Is [the Only True] God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people of Reuben and Gad said, "This altar is a witness to all of us that the LORD is God." And so they named it "Witness." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The descendants of Reuben and the descendants of Gad named the altar "Witness," because they claimed, "It stands as a witness between us that the LORD is God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar Witness, for they said, ?It is a witness between us that the LORD is God.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Reubenites and Gadites named the altar, "Surely it is a Reminder to us that the LORD is God." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Reuben and the people of Gad proclaimed regarding the altar, that it was a witness between us that the LORD is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Reuben and the children of Gad named the altar “A Witness Between Us that Yahweh is God.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad proclaim concerning the altar, that, “[It is] a witness between us that YHWH [is] God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad proclaim concerning the altar, that 'it is a witness between us that Jehovah is God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad will call to the altar: for it is a witness between us that Jehovah is their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Ruben, and the children of Cad called the altar which they had built, Our testimony, that the Lord is God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar that they had built: Our testimony that the Lord himself is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar its name as a witness among them that the LORD is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Reubenites and the Gadites called the altar Witness; “For,” said they, “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Reubenites and the Gadites and the Manashites called the altar which they had made, The Altar of Testimony, for it is a witness between us that the LORD is the only God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the children of Rubil and the children of Gad and the children of Manasheh called the altar that they had made the Altar of the Testimony, because the Testimony was among them, and LORD JEHOVAH is The Only God <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar--: 'for it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua gave a name to the altar of the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasse; and said, It is a testimony in the midst of them, that the Lord is their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/22-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=6033" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/22.htm">The Offensive Altar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">33</span>The Israelites were satisfied with the report, and they blessed God and spoke no more about going to war against them to destroy the land where the Reubenites and Gadites lived. <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">So the Reubenites</a> <a href="/hebrew/7205.htm" title="7205: rə·’ū·ḇên (N-proper-ms) -- From the imperative of ra'ah and ben; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê- (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and Gadites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1410.htm" title="1410: ḡāḏ (N-proper-ms) -- From guwd; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">named</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: lam·miz·bê·aḥ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altar Witness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for they said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">“It</a> <a href="/hebrew/5707.htm" title="5707: ‘êḏ (N-ms) -- A witness. Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. Prince.">is a witness</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bê·nō·ṯê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- An interval, space between. ">between us</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">is God.”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-7</a></span><br />Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/32-1.htm">Numbers 32:1-5</a></span><br />Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. / So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/32-16.htm">Numbers 32:16-18</a></span><br />Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones. / But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land. / We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has taken possession of his inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-12.htm">Deuteronomy 13:12-18</a></span><br />If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said / that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), / then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/4-20.htm">Joshua 4:20-24</a></span><br />And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. / Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ / you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/22-10.htm">Joshua 22:10-12</a></span><br />And when they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. / Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” / And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-41.htm">1 Kings 8:41-43</a></span><br />And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/6-32.htm">2 Chronicles 6:32-33</a></span><br />And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-4.htm">Psalm 78:4-7</a></span><br />We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-4.htm">Psalm 145:4-7</a></span><br />One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— / the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. / They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-19.htm">Isaiah 19:19-21</a></span><br />In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near her border. / It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender to rescue them. / The LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and on that day Egypt will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and fulfill them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-6.htm">Isaiah 56:6-7</a></span><br />And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a></span><br />You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-20.htm">Matthew 18:20</a></span><br />For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20-24</a></span><br />Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">Ed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/22-27.htm">Joshua 22:27</a></b></br> But <i>that</i> it <i>may be</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/24-27.htm">Joshua 24:27</a></b></br> And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-39.htm">1 Kings 18:39</a></b></br> And when all the people saw <i>it</i>, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he <i>is</i> the God; the LORD, he <i>is</i> the God.</p><p class="hdg">the Lord is God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/22-29.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/joshua/22-33.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-3.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/joshua/22-33.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/joshua/22-33.htm">Reubenites</a> <a href="/joshua/22-28.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/6-24.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/joshua/24-4.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/7-3.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/judges/5-15.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-33.htm">Reubenites</a> <a href="/joshua/24-27.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/22-1.htm">The two tribes and a half with a blessing are sent home,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/22-10.htm">They build the altar of testimony in their journey</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/22-11.htm">The Israelites are offended thereat</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/22-21.htm">They vindicate their conduct, and give them good satisfaction</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This altar, named "Witness," was built as a symbol of unity and shared faith with the tribes on the western side. The naming of the altar reflects a common biblical practice where names are given to places or objects to signify their purpose or commemorate an event (e.g., <a href="/genesis/28-19.htm">Genesis 28:19</a>, where Jacob names Bethel). The altar was not for sacrifices but served as a reminder of their shared worship of Yahweh, despite geographical separation.<p><b>for they said, “It is a witness between us</b><br>The altar served as a testimony to the unity of the tribes of Israel, despite the physical barrier of the Jordan River. This phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining spiritual unity and accountability among God's people. The concept of a "witness" is significant in biblical law and covenant-making, where witnesses serve to confirm agreements and ensure faithfulness (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>). The altar was a tangible reminder of their commitment to the covenant with God and each other.<p><b>that the LORD is God.”</b><br>This declaration affirms the central tenet of Israel's faith: the acknowledgment of Yahweh as the one true God. It echoes the Shema, a foundational statement of faith in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." The altar as a witness underscores the tribes' dedication to worshiping Yahweh alone, rejecting idolatry, and maintaining their identity as His chosen people. This statement also prefigures the New Testament emphasis on unity in Christ, where believers are called to be one in faith and purpose (<a href="/john/17-21.htm">John 17:21</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/reubenites_and_gadites.htm">Reubenites and Gadites</a></b><br>These are two of the tribes of Israel who settled on the east side of the Jordan River. They played a significant role in the events of <a href="/bsb/joshua/22.htm">Joshua 22</a>, where they built an altar as a witness to their shared faith with the other tribes of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/altar_of_witness.htm">Altar of Witness</a></b><br>This altar was constructed by the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It served as a symbol of unity and a testimony to their allegiance to the LORD, despite their geographical separation from the other tribes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jordan_river.htm">Jordan River</a></b><br>A significant geographical boundary in the account, it separated the eastern tribes from the rest of Israel. The river symbolizes both division and connection in the context of the altar's purpose.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/phinehas.htm">Phinehas</a></b><br>The son of Eleazar the priest, Phinehas was sent to investigate the altar's construction. His involvement underscores the importance of maintaining religious purity and unity among the tribes.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>Central to the account, the LORD is the God whom the altar is meant to honor and serve as a witness to His covenant with all the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a></b><br>The altar serves as a reminder that physical separation does not equate to spiritual division. Believers today can maintain unity in Christ despite differences in geography or culture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witness_to_faith.htm">Witness to Faith</a></b><br>Just as the altar was a witness to the faith of the eastern tribes, Christians are called to be living witnesses to the world, demonstrating their faith through actions and words.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_misunderstanding.htm">Guarding Against Misunderstanding</a></b><br>The initial reaction to the altar's construction was one of suspicion. This teaches the importance of seeking understanding and clarity in community matters before jumping to conclusions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolic_reminders.htm">Symbolic Reminders</a></b><br>Physical symbols, like the altar, can serve as powerful reminders of spiritual truths and commitments. Believers can use symbols in their own lives to remember God's promises and their commitments to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Phinehas' involvement highlights the importance of godly leadership in resolving conflicts and maintaining unity within the community of faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_joshua_22_align_with_deut._12.htm">How does Joshua 22 align with other passages that mandate a single place of worship (e.g., Deuteronomy 12), and why is there no mention of God's direct intervention here?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_build_a_separate_altar_in_joshua_22_10.htm">How do we reconcile the building of a separate altar in Joshua 22:10 with earlier commands to worship at one central sanctuary? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_of_joshua_22_10_altar.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence of this altar mentioned in Joshua 22:10, considering its significance to the nation's unity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_reuben's_and_gad's_settlement_sparse.htm">Joshua 13:8-14 - If Reuben's and Gad's territories east of the Jordan were truly established, why is tangible evidence of extensive settlement in those regions sparse?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) <span class= "bld">That the Lord</span> (<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>Jehovah) is God (of all the twelve tribes alike).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ed</span>. This word is not in the original. It is found in some late MSS. and in the Syriac and Arabic versions, but not in the LXX. or Chaldee. Even in the MSS. which have it, the word is found sometimes before and sometimes after the Hebrew word signifying "altar." This may either be because, once omitted, it was conjecturally supplied, but it is more probable that it was never there at all. The passage may be rendered, "And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad gave a name to the altar, 'for it is a witness between us.'" But it seems more likely that the word "Ed," though not expressed, is in. tended to be understood. The LXX. and Vulgate give incorrect renderings of the passage. The Lord is God. Rather, as in <a href="/1_kings/18-39.htm">1 Kings 18:39</a>, Jehovah is the God; that is, the one true God. Some MSS. have interpolated <span class="hebrew">הוּא</span> here from the above cited passage. Such altars, or mounds, of witness seem not to have been unusual among the Eastern nations (see <a href="/genesis/31-47.htm">Genesis 31:47-52</a>). <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/22-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So the Reubenites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Gadites</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">named</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּקְרְא֛וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the altar [Witness],</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(lam·miz·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[saying],</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“It</span><br /><span class="heb">הוּא֙</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a witness</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5707.htm">Strong's 5707: </a> </span><span class="str2">A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">between us</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּֽינֹתֵ֔ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bê·nō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> </span><span class="str2">An interval, space between</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is God.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/22-34.htm">Joshua 22:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/22-34.htm">OT History: Joshua 22:34 The children of Reuben and the children (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/22-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 22:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 22:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/23-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 23:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 23:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>