MPV Commentary

When they arrived at the Jordan River border in Canaan, the children of Reuben and their companions built an altar by the river. This structure was likely a massive pile of stones and earth. Most translators assume it stood on the banks of the Jordan within the borders of Canaan. However, closer examination suggests it was actually located on the eastern side of the river. Two reasons support this conclusion: first, it's said to have been built "over against" or in sight of the land of Canaan (Jos 22:11), indicating it wasn't within the land; secondly, the trans-jordanic Israelites' motive for building it was to prevent their brethren in Canaan from saying, "In time to come, what do you have to do with the Lord God of Israel? For the Lord has made Jordan a border between us and you" (Jos 22:24-25). This taunt would be prevented by having an altar on the eastern side of Jordan, within their own land, that mirrored the one at Shiloh, serving as a witness to their shared faith in the same God and practice of worship.