Study Desk

When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, ^(F1)a large altar in appearance.

But the sons of Israel ^(F1)heard a report: "Behold, the sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have ^(C1)built an altar at the ^(F2)frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region of the Jordan, on the side belonging to the sons of Israel."

"This is what the whole congregation of the LORD says: 'What is this unfaithful act which you have committed against the God of Israel, turning away from following the LORD this day, by ^(C1)building yourselves an altar, to rebel against the LORD this day?

'If, however, the land of your possession is unclean, then ^(F1)cross into the land of the possession of the LORD, where the LORD'S ^(F2)tabernacle ^(F3)stands, and settle among us. Only do not rebel against the LORD, or rebel against us, by ^(C1)building an altar for yourselves besides the altar of the LORD our God.

"If we have built us an altar to turn away from following the LORD, or if to ^(C1)offer a burnt offering or grain offering on it, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings on it, may the LORD Himself ^(F1)demand it.

"Therefore we said, 'Let's ^(F1)build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice;

And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad ^(C1)called the altar Witness; "For," they said, "it is a witness between us that the LORD is God."