Joshua 22:24

22 “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.

23 If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable.

But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?

25 For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you Reubenites and Gadites. You have no share in the LORD!’ So your descendants could cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.

26 That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But in fact we have done this for fear that in the future your descendants might say to ours, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
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?
WEB
“If we have not out of concern done this, and for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
ASV
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?
DARBY
and if we have not done it from fear of this thing, saying, In future your children will speak to our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah the God of Israel?
BLB
And nevertheless, we have done [it] from fear of this thing, saying, hereafter your⁺ sons may speak to our seed, saying, ‘And what have you⁺ to do with YHWH, God of Israel?
ÅB
men sannelig, vi gjorde det av frykt for hva som kunne hende, for vi tenkte at deres barn engang kunne komme til å si til våre barn: Hva har dere å gjøre med Herren, Israels Gud?
OTB
Nei! Vi gjorde det av bekymring for at i fremtiden kunne deres etterkommere si til våre: 'Hva har dere å gjøre med Herren, Israels Gud?
B1930
men sannelig, vi gjorde det av frykt for hvad som kunde hende, for vi tenkte at eders barn engang kunde komme til å si til våre barn: Hvad har I å gjøre med Herren, Israels Gud?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joshua 4:6

    to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:19

    For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 6:20

    In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 30:33

    So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen.”

    Read in context
  • Exodus 13:14

    In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

    Read in context