Joshua 22:29
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.
Original Language Analysis
חָלִילָה֩
God forbid
H2486
חָלִילָה֩
God forbid
Strong's:
H2486
Word #:
1 of 21
literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!
מִמֶּ֜נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֜נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יְהוָ֣ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלָשׁ֤וּב
and turn
H7725
וְלָשׁ֤וּב
and turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 21
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
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י
from following
H310
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י
from following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יְהוָ֣ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְעֹלָ֖ה
for burnt offerings
H5930
לְעֹלָ֖ה
for burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
12 of 21
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לְמִנְחָ֣ה
for meat offerings
H4503
לְמִנְחָ֣ה
for meat offerings
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
13 of 21
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וּלְזָ֑בַח
or for sacrifices
H2077
וּלְזָ֑בַח
or for sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
מִלְּבַ֗ד
H905
מִלְּבַ֗ד
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
יְהוָ֣ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 21
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
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does their horror at the accusation of apostasy demonstrate the authenticity of their faith?
- What does this resolution teach about the importance of explaining our actions when they might be misunderstood?
- How can we maintain unity in essentials (one Lord, one faith, one baptism) while allowing diversity in non-essentials?
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Analysis & 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.