King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:29 Mean?

Joshua 22:29 in the King James Version says “God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.

Joshua 22:29 · KJV


Context

27

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.

28

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.

29

God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.

30

And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them. pleased: Heb. was good in their eyes

31

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD. now: Heb. then


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD—The phrase "God forbid" (חָלִילָה לָּנוּ, chalilah lanu) expresses horror at the very suggestion of rebellion (מֶרֶד, mered). The eastern tribes emphatically reject any interpretation of apostasy—the idea is profane, unthinkable.

To build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle—The final affirmation acknowledges only ONE legitimate altar: "the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle." The preposition "beside" (מִלְּבַד, mil'vad) means "other than" or "in addition to"—they absolutely renounce any rival sanctuary, affirming centralized worship at Shiloh as God commanded.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This conclusion demonstrates the eastern tribes' full orthodoxy. They affirm the Deuteronomic principle of one sanctuary, one altar, one worship center. Their memorial altar supports rather than subverts this theology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does their horror at the accusation of apostasy demonstrate the authenticity of their faith?
  2. What does this resolution teach about the importance of explaining our actions when they might be misunderstood?
  3. How can we maintain unity in essentials (one Lord, one faith, one baptism) while allowing diversity in non-essentials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
חָלִילָה֩1 of 21

God forbid

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

לָּ֨נוּ2 of 21
H0
מִמֶּ֜נּוּ3 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לִמְרֹ֣ד4 of 21

that we should rebel

H4775

to rebel

יְהוָ֣ה5 of 21

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלָשׁ֤וּב6 of 21

and turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הַיּוֹם֙7 of 21

this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י8 of 21

from following

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יְהוָ֣ה9 of 21

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לִבְנ֣וֹת10 of 21

to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

מִזְבַּח֙11 of 21

an altar

H4196

an altar

לְעֹלָ֖ה12 of 21

for burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לְמִנְחָ֣ה13 of 21

for meat offerings

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וּלְזָ֑בַח14 of 21

or for sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

מִלְּבַ֗ד15 of 21
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

מִזְבַּח֙16 of 21

an altar

H4196

an altar

יְהוָ֣ה17 of 21

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ18 of 21

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲשֶׁ֖ר19 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לִפְנֵ֥י20 of 21

that is before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִשְׁכָּנֽוֹ׃21 of 21

his tabernacle

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w


Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Joshua 22:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 22:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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