And when they came to the region of the Jordan that belongs to the land of Canaan, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a great altar to behold — The building of the altar creates the conflict. The phrase 'great altar to behold' (mizbēaḥ gadôl lemarʾeh) suggests monumentality; this is no small, private structure but a public, conspicuous construction. The location 'by the Jordan' places the altar at the covenant boundary, raising the question: is this a statement of solidarity or separation?

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