Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 22:28
Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should [so] say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say [again], Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it [is] a witness between us and you.
28. Behold the pattern ] Some have imagined that the altar set up had an actual resemblance to the altar of burnt-offering at the Tabernacle. But this could hardly be. There may have been some general resemblance in their structure, which was of earth heaped up and huge stones.
it is a witness between us and you ] Comp. Jos 4:6-7; and Gen 31:48.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The pattern; an exact representation and resemblance.
A witness between us and you, that we both serve one God, and approve and make use of one and the same altar.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Therefore said we,…. To prevent any such usage of our children, and that they might have a ready answer to give:
that it shall be, when they should [so] say unto us, or to our generations, in time to come; as above suggested, that they were a separate people from them, and had no interest in the Lord, nor right to his altar, nor concern in his worship:
that we may say [again]; in reply, that is, our posterity:
behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made; which exactly agrees with the Mosaic altar, and which they could never have framed in so exact a manner if they had not seen it, and served at it; wherefore this was a plain proof of their being originally worshippers of the same God, partakers of the same altar, and were in the faith, fellowship, and communion of Israel. According to Gussetius n, this was not the altar the Reubenites, c. built, which the children of Israel would be bid to behold, but the Mosaic altar at the tabernacle or temple, which was the archetype and exemplar, according to which that of the Reubenites was formed and therefore say not, come and behold, but behold the altar present before them, that of Moses, and acknowledge that to be a type and exemplar, which they had related, and so confess it to be a testimony of their mutual fellowship: and what they had made in imitation of it, which exactly answered to it, was
not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; of any sort, that was not the intention of erecting it:
but it [is] a witness between us and you; that we worship the same God, and are of the same faith and fellowship.
n Ebr. Comment. p. 135.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(28) The altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices.The words suggest the reflection that there are many other altars so called in the present day, also an occasion of dispute; and it would tend greatly to peace and acquiescence in their existence if we could be assured that, like this altar, they are not for sacrifice but for a witness to that common worship of Christ as God which is an essential feature of Christianity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ Therefore we said, “It shall be when they say so to us, or to our generations in time to come, that we shall say, ‘See the pattern of the altar of YHWH, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifice. But it is a witness between us and you’.” ’
Thus the presence of the altar, and the fact that it was patterned on the altar in the Tabernacle, which they could not have known had they not have been members of the covenant, would be evidence in the future of their part in YHWH and act as a witness of their religious rights. The fact that it was not used for burnt offerings or sacrifice would in fact emphasise that it was a symbol.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jos 22:28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should [so] say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say [again], Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it [is] a witness between us and you.
Ver. 28. But it is a witness. ] See Jos 22:27 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Behold = behold ye. Not the Figure of speech Asterisms.
pattern = construction.
and you. Note Figure of speech Ellipsis, “and [between] you. “App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Behold: Exo 25:40, 2Ki 16:10, Eze 43:10, Eze 43:11, Heb 8:5
Reciprocal: Gen 21:30 – a witness Jos 24:27 – General Isa 19:20 – for a
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 22:28. Behold the pattern of the altar An exact representation and resemblance of it; but which they could not have imitated, if they had not been acquainted with it, and worshipped God there with their brethren. But it is a witness between us and you That we both serve one God, and approve and make use of the same altar.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
22:28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should [so] say to us or to our {p} generations in time to come, that we may say [again], Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it [is] a witness between us and you.
(p) They signify a wonderful care that they bore toward their posterity, that they might live in the true service of God.