Joshua 22:29
New International Version
“Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle.”

New Living Translation
Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD or turn away from him by building our own altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices. Only the altar of the LORD our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle may be used for that purpose.”

English Standard Version
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn away this day from following the LORD by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle!”

Berean Standard Bible
Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn from following the LORD this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”

New American Standard Bible
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn away from following the LORD this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”

NASB 1995
“Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn away from following the LORD this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”

NASB 1977
“Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn away from following the LORD this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Far be it from us to rebel against Yahweh and turn away from following Yahweh this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of Yahweh our God which is before His tabernacle.”

Amplified Bible
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn away from following the LORD this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle [in Shiloh].”

Christian Standard Bible
We would never ever rebel against the LORD or turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which is in front of his tabernacle.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We would never rebel against the LORD or turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which is in front of His tabernacle.”

American Standard Version
Far be it from us that we should rebel against Jehovah, and turn away this day from following Jehovah, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for meal-offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of Jehovah our God that is before his tabernacle.

English Revised Version
God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn away this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It would be unthinkable for us to rebel against the LORD or to turn back today from following the LORD by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices in addition to the altar of the LORD our God that is in front of his tent."

Good News Translation
We would certainly not rebel against the LORD or stop following him now by building an altar to burn offerings on or for grain offerings or sacrifices. We would not build any other altar than the altar of the LORD our God that stands in front of the Tent of his presence."

International Standard Version
May we never rebel against the LORD today by building an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifice to replace the altar of the LORD our God which stands before his Tent."'"

Majority Standard Bible
Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle.”

NET Bible
Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD by turning back today from following after the LORD by building an altar for burnt offerings, sacrifices, and tokens of peace aside from the altar of the LORD our God located in front of his dwelling place!"

New Heart English Bible
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn away this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle."

Webster's Bible Translation
Far be it from us 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, besides the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.

World English Bible
“Far be it from us that we should rebel against Yahweh, and turn away today from following Yahweh, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, besides Yahweh our God’s altar that is before his tabernacle!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Far be it from us to rebel against YHWH, and to turn back from after YHWH today, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for present, and for sacrifice, apart from the altar of our God YHWH, which [is] before His Dwelling Place.”

Young's Literal Translation
Far be it from us to rebel against Jehovah, and to turn back to-day from after Jehovah, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for present, and for sacrifice, apart from the altar of Jehovah our God, which is before His tabernacle.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Wo to us from him to rebel against Jehovah, and to turn back this day from after Jehovah to build an altar for burnt-offering, for a gift and for sacrifice beside the altar of Jehovah our God which is before his tent.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
God keep us from any such wickedness that we should revolt from the Lord, and leave off following his steps, by building an altar to offer holocausts, and sacrifices, and victims, beside the altar of the Lord our God, which is erected before his tabernacle.

Catholic Public Domain Version
May this wickedness be far from us, such that we would withdraw from the Lord, and would forsake his paths, by constructing an altar to offer holocausts, and sacrifices, and victims, contrary to the altar of the Lord our God, which was built before his tabernacle.”

New American Bible
Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD or to turn now from following the LORD by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice in addition to the altar of the LORD, our God, which stands before his tabernacle.”

New Revised Standard Version
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn away this day from following the LORD by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
God forbid that we should reject the worship of the LORD, and turn away from revering him, and build for ourselves an altar for burnt offerings, for gift offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD God of Israel that is before his tabernacle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God forbid us that we would reject the worship of LORD JEHOVAH and we would turn from the awe of LORD JEHOVAH and that we would build for ourselves an altar for burnt peace offering or for an offering or for a sacrifice apart from the altar of LORD JEHOVAH God of Israel that is in front of his Tabernacle!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn away this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for meal-offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God that is before His tabernacle.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Far be it from us therefore that we should turn away from the Lord this day so as to apostatize from the Lord, so as that we should build an altar for burnt-offerings, and for peace-offerings, besides the altar of the Lord which is before his tabernacle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Offensive Altar
28Therefore we said, ‘If they ever say this to us or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the altar of the LORD that our fathers made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’ 29Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle.” 30When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation—the heads of Israel’s clans who were with him—heard what the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:13-14
Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; / you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.

Leviticus 17:8-9
Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice / but does not bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to the LORD, that man must be cut off from his people.

Deuteronomy 13:12-18
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, ...

1 Kings 12:26-30
Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” / After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” ...

2 Kings 17:21-23
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. / The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them. / Finally, the LORD removed Israel from His presence, as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their homeland into Assyria, where they are to this day.

2 Chronicles 11:13-17
Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD. / And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made. ...

Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Deuteronomy 5:7-9
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

1 Samuel 12:20-21
“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. / Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.

2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.

2 Chronicles 30:7-8
Do not be like your fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that He made them an object of horror, as you can see. / Now do not stiffen your necks as your fathers did. Submit to the LORD and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that His fierce anger will turn away from you.

Psalm 106:19-21
At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image. / They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox. / They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt,

Isaiah 1:4
Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.

Jeremiah 2:11-13
Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. / Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD. / “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Ezekiel 20:39
And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

God forbid

Joshua 24:16
And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Genesis 44:7,17
And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: …

1 Samuel 12:23
Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

to build

Joshua 22:23,26
That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it; …

Deuteronomy 12:13,14
Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: …

2 Kings 18:22
But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

Jump to Previous
Altar Besides Build Building Burnt Burnt-Offering Burnt-Offerings Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offerings Offering Offerings Rebel Sacrifice Sacrifices Tabernacle Turn
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Altar Besides Build Building Burnt Burnt-Offering Burnt-Offerings Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offerings Offering Offerings Rebel Sacrifice Sacrifices Tabernacle Turn
Joshua 22
1. The two tribes and a half with a blessing are sent home,
10. They build the altar of testimony in their journey
11. The Israelites are offended thereat
21. They vindicate their conduct, and give them good satisfaction














Far be it from us
This phrase is a strong expression of rejection or denial. In Hebrew, the phrase is "חָלִילָה לָּנוּ" (chalilah lanu), which conveys a sense of abhorrence or something that is unthinkable. It reflects the deep commitment of the Israelites to remain faithful to God and His commandments. This phrase is often used in the Old Testament to express a strong moral or ethical stance, indicating that the speaker is distancing themselves from an action or thought that is considered wrong or offensive.

to rebel against the LORD
The word "rebel" in Hebrew is "מָרוֹד" (marod), which means to revolt or rise up against authority. In the context of the Israelites, rebelling against the LORD would mean turning away from His commandments and covenant. Historically, the Israelites were chosen as God's people, and their identity was deeply tied to their obedience to Him. Rebellion would not only be a personal sin but a communal breach of their covenant relationship with God.

and turn away from following the LORD
The phrase "turn away" is translated from the Hebrew "לָשׁוּב מֵאַחֲרֵי" (lashuv me'acharei), which implies a physical and spiritual departure. In the biblical narrative, following the LORD is synonymous with walking in His ways and adhering to His laws. Turning away would signify a deliberate choice to abandon the path of righteousness and the blessings that come with it. This phrase underscores the importance of steadfastness in faith and the dangers of spiritual apostasy.

by building an altar
Building an altar in ancient Israel was a significant act, often associated with worship and sacrifice. However, the construction of unauthorized altars was strictly forbidden, as it could lead to idolatry or false worship. The Israelites were commanded to worship at the designated place, the Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem. This phrase highlights the potential for religious practices to deviate from God's instructions, emphasizing the need for adherence to divine ordinances.

for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices
These offerings were central to the worship practices of the Israelites, each with specific purposes and regulations as outlined in the Torah. Burnt offerings (Hebrew: "עוֹלָה" - olah) were made for atonement, grain offerings (Hebrew: "מִנְחָה" - minchah) were expressions of devotion, and sacrifices (Hebrew: "זֶבַח" - zevach) often involved communal meals and thanksgiving. The mention of these offerings underscores the seriousness of the act of building an altar, as it pertains to the core of Israelite worship and their covenant relationship with God.

other than the altar of the LORD our God
This phrase emphasizes the exclusivity and sanctity of the altar designated by God. The "altar of the LORD" refers to the central place of worship where God had chosen to make His presence known among His people. It was a symbol of unity and divine authority. By specifying "other than," the verse reinforces the prohibition against unauthorized worship practices and the importance of maintaining the purity of worship as commanded by God.

which stands before His tabernacle
The tabernacle was the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was the center of worship and the place where God's presence was manifested. The phrase "stands before His tabernacle" indicates the rightful place for offerings and sacrifices, as ordained by God. It serves as a reminder of God's provision and guidance, and the need for the Israelites to honor His established order for worship.

Verse 29. - God forbid. Literally, profane or accursed to us be it from Him. So Keil, Gesenius, and Knobel. That we should rebel against the Lord. The embassy had the effect not only of eliciting an explanation, but of showing how earnest, at that time at least, the tribes of Israel were in the service of God. And we may learn here, as Robertson remarks of St. Paul's frank and explicit vindications of himself, the value of explanations. Many a misunderstanding would be averted, many a feeling of rankling displeasure, culminating in an inexcusable explosion of anger, might be avoided, nay, many an unjust suspicion against a fellow Christian's honesty and sincerity of purpose might be dispelled, if men would but follow the example of the ten tribes on this occasion, or lay to heart the words of our Lord in St. Matthew 18:15, "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Far be it from us
חָלִילָה֩ (ḥā·lî·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

to rebel
לִמְרֹ֣ד (lim·rōḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4775: To rebel

against the LORD
בַּֽיהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and turn away
וְלָשׁ֤וּב (wə·lā·šūḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from
מִמֶּ֜נּוּ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

Him
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

today
הַיּוֹם֙ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

by building
לִבְנ֣וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

an altar
מִזְבֵּ֔חַ (miz·bê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

for burnt offerings,
לְעֹלָ֖ה (lə·‘ō·lāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

grain offerings,
לְמִנְחָ֣ה (lə·min·ḥāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

or sacrifices,
וּלְזָ֑בַח (ū·lə·zā·ḇaḥ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

other than
מִלְּבַ֗ד (mil·lə·ḇaḏ)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

the altar
מִזְבַּח֙ (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

our God,
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

which [stands]
אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

His tabernacle.”
מִשְׁכָּנֽוֹ׃ (miš·kā·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle


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OT History: Joshua 22:29 Far be it from us that we (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 22:28
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