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Joshua 22:24

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 22:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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?
Joshua 22:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spake unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, the Mighty One, God, Jehovah, he knoweth; and Israel he shall know: if it be in rebellion, or if in trespass against Jehovah (save thou us not this day,)
23that we have built us an altar to turn away from following Jehovah; or if to offer thereon burnt-offering or meal-offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace-offerings thereon, let Jehovah himself require it;
24and 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?
25for Jehovah hath made the Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no portion in Jehovah: so might your children make our children cease from fearing Jehovah.
26Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice:
27but it shall be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may do the service of Jehovah 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 portion in Jehovah.
← Joshua 22:23Joshua 22:25 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if we have not [rather] done it for fear of [this] thing, etc.] So far they suggest were they from doing this, in order to turn from the pure worship of God, and introduce idolatrous worship, that it was to guard against everything of that kind for the future; and through fear of it, and anxiety and distress of mind, lest some time or another there should be any temptation to it in their posterity, had they built this altar: saying, in time to come your children might speak unto our children; or “tomorrow” f517, in a short time after your heads, and ours, are laid in the grave, your posterity will accost us: saying, what have you to do with the Lord God of Israel? you are aliens and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“With the Lord - You have no relation to him, nor interest in him, or his worship. Joshua 22:25”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:24-29 The eastern tribes feared exclusion from Israel at a later time because the Jordan River divided them from the western tribes.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“for fear: Gen 18:19 In time to come: Heb. To-morrow, Jos 4:6; Gen 30:33; Exo 13:14; Deu 6:20 \*marg. Joshua 22:25”
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Related study paths

Read Joshua 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification