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?
We actually did this because we were worried about something. We thought that in the future, your children might say to our children, 'What right do you have to worship the LORD, the God of Israel?'
The eastern tribes built an altar because they feared future generations would question their right to worship God alongside the other Israelites.
📚 Historical Context
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had settled on the east side of the Jordan River, while the other tribes settled on the west side. When they built a large altar before returning home, the western tribes feared it was for false worship and nearly went to war. This verse is part of the eastern tribes' explanation that they built the altar as a witness to ensure their children would always be recognized as true Israelites.
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