KJV ORIGINAL
Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
So we said, 'Let's get ready to build ourselves an altar, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The eastern tribes are explaining that they want to build an altar, but not for worship purposes—they have a different reason in mind.
📚 Historical Context
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had settled east of the Jordan River after helping conquer the Promised Land. When they built an altar near the Jordan, the other Israelite tribes feared they were creating a rival worship site, which would violate God's command to worship only at the tabernacle. This verse is part of their explanation that the altar wasn't meant for sacrificial worship.
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