Joshua 22:23

23 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.

Joshua 22:23 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 22:23

That we have built us an altar, to turn from following the
Lord
That is, we desire, as we deserve, to be cut to pieces, and not saved, if it should appear to be our view, in building this altar, to revolt from the pure worship of God:

or if to offer thereon burnt offering, or meat offering, or if to
offer peace offerings;
even to the Lord himself: they declare that as they had no design to apostatize from God, and worship idols, so it was not their intention to offer any kind of sacrifice on the altar they had built, even to the Lord himself; and they take notice of every kind of offering, to remove every charge of this sort from them, and to purge themselves of every imputation of this nature: then

let the Lord himself require [it];
seek it out, who is the omniscient God, and revenge it, who is the Lord God Almighty, just and true.

Joshua 22:23 In-Context

21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the halftribe of Manasseh answered and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22 "The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, He knoweth, and Israel he shall know! If it be in rebellion or if in transgression against the LORD (save us not this day)
23 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.
24 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?
25 For the LORD hath made the Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad. Ye have no part in the LORD." So shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.'
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.