King James Version
Joshua 22:26 in the King James Version says “Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:”
Joshua 22:26 · KJV
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? In time: Heb. To morrow
For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
But that it may be 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.
Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Let us now prepare”
H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“not for burnt offering”
H5930a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“nor for sacrifice”
H2077properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Joshua 22:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.