This verse may be translated as a complete sentence, expressing a strong denial: “We did build an altar, but we did not build it to use for burning sacrifices or making offerings.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
