Translation commentary on Joshua 22:27

If verse 26 is rendered as a complete statement, then it will probably be necessary to repeat the subject and verb at the beginning of this verse: “We built it as a sign….”

Sign (Revised Standard Version “witness”) states the purpose of the altar built by the eastern tribes: it was to be evidence, proof, of the loyalty of the eastern tribes to the Lord and their determination to offer sacrifices only at the central place of worship (which, in the context of the story, is Shiloh). The noun sign may be more effectively rendered as a verb: “we built this altar to show to our people and your people….”

All the offerings would be made before his sacred Tent (Revised Standard Version “in his presence”).

In order to divide verse 27 into smaller units, it may be advisable to begin a new sentence after before his sacred Tent. The sentence may read: “We bring our offering to be burned, our sacrifices, and our fellowship offerings there before his sacred Tent.” Or, in order to combine and shorten: “We bring all our offerings there before his sacred Tent.”

This was to keep … to do with the LORD may be translated, “Your descendants must never tell our descendants that they do not belong to the LORD.” Direct discourse may also be employed: “Your descendants must never tell our descendants, ‘You do not belong to the LORD’s people.’ ”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 22:27

22:27a

Rather: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Rather shows a contrast. The altar was not for offerings, rather it was to be a witness. Use a word that is natural to show this contrast in your language.

Here are some other ways to show contrast in English:

On the contrary (New International Version)
-or-
But instead (Good News Translation)

let it be a witness between us and you: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as witness indicates that the altar was to be a proof or evidence. It was a sign that the eastern clans were still worshiping Yahweh. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the word witness as a verb rather than a noun.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

we built the altar to remind us and you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
as a sign for our people and yours (Good News Translation)
-or-
it will help us all, our descendants and your descendants, to remember (Easy English Bible)

and the generations to come: This refers to their descendants who will be born in the future.

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

On the contrary, it will remind us and you, and all of our descendants who are born in the future
-or-
But instead it will be a sign for you and for us, and for all the generations ⌊who are born⌋ after us

22:27b

that we will worship the LORD: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that we will worship the LORD is more literally “to serve the service of Yahweh.” This phrase refers to the outward acts of worshiping Yahweh.

in His presence: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in His presence is more literally “before his face.” Yahweh’s presence was at the tabernacle in Shiloh. In some languages it may be clearer to make this information explicit.

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

that we worship Yahweh in his presence
-or-
that we worship Yahweh where he is ⌊at the tent of meeting in Shiloh⌋

22:27c

with our burnt offerings: The term burnt offerings occurred in verse 22:23b. Translate it the same way as you did in that verse.

sacrifices: The same Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sacrifices occurred in verse 22:26. Translate it the same way as you did in that verse.

and peace offerings: The term peace offerings occurred in verse 22:23b where the Berean Standard Bible translated it as “fellowship offerings.”

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

with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings
-or-
We will give our burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and peace offerings to Yahweh ⌊there⌋ .

22:27d

Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours: This part of the verse is like verse 22:24a.

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

Then your descendants will not say to our descendants someday,
-or-

⌊We did this so that⌋ your descendants will not say to our descendants in the future,

22:27e

You have no share in the LORD: This part of the verse is the same as verse 22:25b. Translate this part of the verse the same as you did there. This is a direct quotation. In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech. For example:

This was to keep your descendants from saying that ours have nothing to do with the Lord. (Good News Translation)

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