SEV Biblia, Chapter 22:24
Asimismo , si no lo hicimos por temor de esto, diciendo: Por ventura mañana vuestros hijos dirán a nuestros hijos: ¿Qué tenéis vosotros con el SEÑOR Dios de Israel?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:24
Verse 24. For fear of this thing] The motive that actuated us was directly the reverse of that of which we have been suspected.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 24. 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 strangers from the commonwealth of Israel, live in a foreign land, and not in the land, of Canaan; are separated from us by the river Jordan, are a different people from us, and have nothing to do with the tabernacle of the Lord, and the service of it, or with the altar of the Lord, to offer sacrifice on it. Now as they returned to their own country, or when got there, such anxious thoughts and fears rose up in their minds, which they communicated to one another, and thought of this expedient to prevent what would be so fatal to their posterity. The Targum is, “you have no part in the Word of the Lord God of Israel;” (see John 13:8).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 21-29 - The tribes took the reproofs of their brethren in good part. With solemnity and meekness they proceeded to give all the satisfaction in their power. Reverence of God is expressed in the form of their appeal This brief confession of faith would remove their brethren's suspicio that they intended to worship other gods. Let us always speak of God with seriousness, and mention his name with a solemn pause. Those wh make appeals to Heaven with a careless "God knows," take his name in vain: it is very unlike this. They express great confidence of their own uprightness in the matter of their appeal. "God knows it," for he is perfectly acquainted with the thoughts and intents of the heart. In every thing we do in religion, it highly concerns us to approv ourselves to God, remembering that he knows the heart. And if ou sincerity be known to God, we should study likewise to let others know it by its fruits, especially those who, though they mistake us, sho zeal for the glory of God. They disdained the design of which they wer suspected to be guilty, and fully explained their true intent in building this altar. Those who have found the comfort and benefit of God's ordinances, cannot but desire to preserve them to their seed, an to use all possible care that their children may be looked upon a having a part in him. Christ is the great Altar that sanctifies ever gift; the best evidence of our interest in him is the work of his Spirit in our hearts.
Original Hebrew
ואם 518 לא 3808 מדאגה 1674 מדבר 1697 עשׂינו 6213 את 853 זאת 2063 לאמר 559 מחר 4279 יאמרו 559 בניכם 1121 לבנינו 1121 לאמר 559 מה 4100 לכם וליהוה 3068 אלהי 430 ישׂראל׃ 3478
