And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.
The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar 'Ed,' saying it would serve as a witness between them that the LORD is God.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad built an altar as a permanent reminder and testimony that they worship the same God as the other Israelite tribes.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Joshua, after the Israelites had conquered much of the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had settled on the east side of the Jordan River, built a large altar to affirm their unity and faithfulness to God. This action initially caused concern among the other tribes, who feared it might lead to idolatry, but it was explained as a symbol of shared worship. They named the altar "Ed," meaning "witness," to serve as a lasting reminder that the Lord is God for all of Israel.
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