22:22a

The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God: The clans of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh answered by declaring firmly that they believe that Yahweh is the only true God.

There is an interpretation issue with the three Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The LORD, the Mighty One, is God.

(1) The three terms are three separate names for God.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)

(2) The second and third terms should be combined as a phrase: “God of Gods.” This is another way of saying that God is the mightiest God.

(New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with many English versions and several commentaries. The people said three different names for God. Then they repeated them to indicate that they were faithful and loyal in following Yahweh.

The LORD: The term that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The LORD is the name Yahweh.

the Mighty One: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Mighty One is a Hebrew term for God that is most often used in combinations with other words. In Joshua 3:10 it is used in the phrase “the living God.” It is often used in Genesis with the Hebrew term that means mighty, as in Genesis 17:1.

is God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God is the usual Hebrew word for God.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

⌊We follow⌋ the mighty one, God, Yahweh.
-or-
God is the powerful one, he is God, he is Yahweh.

22:22b

He knows, and may Israel also know: It may be helpful to add some implicit information:

God knows ⌊why we did this⌋ , and ⌊we want⌋ the people of Israel to know also
-or-
God knows ⌊the reason that we built this altar⌋ . Now let the people of Israel also know it.

22:22c

If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD: In some languages it may be more natural to use verbs rather than noun phrases. The Hebrew noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as breach of faith is the same term that was used in verses 16 and 20. It indicates that the people acted unfaithfully, or disloyally, toward Yahweh. They did not obey him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

If we have rebelled and disobeyed Yahweh
-or-
If we have rebelled against Yahweh and have not been loyal to him

do not spare us today: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

do not save us today
-or-
do not let us live any longer (Good News Translation)
-or-
you can kill us today

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