Joshua 22
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Then Joshua called the Reubenites, etc. - We have already seen that 40,000 men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to their stipulation with Moses. The war being now concluded, Joshua assembles these warriors, and with commendations for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having first given them the most pious and suitable advices. They had now been about seven years absent from their respective families; and though there was only the river Jordan between the camp at Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear that they had during that time ever revisited their own home, which they might have done any time in the year, the harvest excepted, as at all other times that river was easily fordable.
Open source ↗JOSHUA DISMISSES THE TWO TRIBES AND A HALF, WITH A BLESSING. (Jos 22:1-9) Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh--The general war of invasion being ended and the enemy being in so dispirited and isolated a condition that each tribe, by its own resources or with the aid of its neighboring tribe, was able to repress any renewed hostilities, the auxiliary Israelites from the eastern side of the Jordan were now discharged from service. Joshua dismissed them with high commendations for their fidelity and earnest admonitions to cultivate perpetual piety in life. The redundancy of the language is remarkable [Jos 22:2-5]. It shows how important, in the judgment of the venerable leader, a steadfast observance of the divine law was to personal happiness, as well as national prosperity.
Open source ↗Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. The promise of God to Israel being fulfilled, the land of Canaan being for the most part subdued, the war at an end, and rest had on all sides from their enemies, and the land divided among the nine tribes and an half, and they settled in the quiet possession of their lots; Joshua sent for the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, who had, at their own request, their portion allotted them on the other side Jordan, and who came over that river with him to assist their brethren in their wars with the Canaanites, and addressed them in the following respectable manner. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. The promise of God to Israel being fulfilled, the land of Canaan being for the most part subdued, the war at an end, and rest had on all sides from their enemies, and the land divided among the nine tribes and an half, and they settled in the quiet possession of their lots; Joshua sent for the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, who had, at their own request, their portion allotted them on the other side Jordan, and who came over that river with him to assist their brethren in their wars with the Canaanites, and addressed them in the following respectable manner. Joshua 22:2 jos 22:2 jos 22:2 jos 22:2And said unto them, ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you,.... Which was, that they should leave their wives and children, and flocks, and herds, behind them in the land of Gilead, and pass over Jordan, with their brethren the children of Israel armed, and fight with them, and for them, until the Canaanites were subdued, and not return until their brethren were peaceably…
Open source ↗After the conquest and division of the land, Joshua sent the auxiliaries of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh back to their homes, with a laudatory acknowledgment of the help they had given to their brethren, and a paternal admonition to adhere faithfully to the Lord and His law, and with a parting blessing (Jos 22:1-6). By the expression "then Joshua called," etc., the occurrence described in this chapter is placed in a general manner after the conquest and subjugation of Canaan, though not of necessity at the close of the distribution of the land. As the summons to these tribes to go with their brethren into Canaan, to assist them in the war, formed the commencement of Joshua's plans for the conquest of Canaan (Jos 1:12.), their dismission to their home very properly forms the conclusion to the history of the conquest of this land by the Israelites. We might therefore assume, without in any way contradicting the words of the text, that these auxiliaries had been dismissed immediately after the war was ended. Even in that case, the account of their dismission would stand in its proper place, "since it was only right that the history itself, which relates to the conquest and possession of the land, should be fully completed before any other narratives, or any casual occurrences which took place, were introduced to break the thread" (Lightfoot, App. i. p. 42). On the other hand, however, the circumstance that the two tribes and a half were dismissed from Shiloh, where the tribes assembled for the first time during the casting of the lots, favours the conclusion that the dismission did not take place till after the lots had been cast; that is to say, contemporaneously with the advance of the other tribes into their possessions. Jos 22:2-3 Joshua acknowledged th…
Open source ↗In this and the following chapter we have two farewell sermons, which Joshua preached to the people of Israel a little before his death. Had he designed to gratify the curiosity of succeeding ages, he would rather have recorded the method of Israel's settlement in their new conquests, their husbandry, manufacturers, trade, customs, courts of justice, and the constitutions of their infant commonwealth, which one would wish to be informed of; but that which he intended in the registers of this book was to entail on posterity a sense of religion and their duty to God; and therefore, overlooking these things which are the usual subjects of a common history, he here transmits to his reader the methods he took to persuade Israel to be faithful to their covenant with their God, which might have a good influence on the generations to come who should read those reasonings, as we may hope they had on that generation which then heard them. In this chapter we have, I. A convention of the states called (Jos 23:1, Jos 23:2), probably to consult about the common concerns of their land, and to set in order that which, after some years' trial, being left to their prudence, was found wanting. II. Joshua's speech to them as the opening, or perhaps at the concluding, of the sessions, to hear which was the principal design of their coming together. In it, 1. Joshua reminds them of what God had done for them (Jos 23:3, Jos 23:4, Jos 23:9, Jos 23:14), and what he was ready to do yet further (Jos 23:5, Jos 23:10). 2. He exhorts them carefully and resolutely to persevere in their duty to God (Jos 23:6, Jos 23:8, Jos 23:11). III. He cautions them against all familiarity with their idolatrous neighbours (Jos 23:7). IV. He gives them fair warning of the fatal consequences of it, if they should rev…
Open source ↗22:1–24:33 Israel completed the conquest and allotment of the land, but much of the hard work of actually settling it still lay ahead. However, all that remained for Joshua in his role as leader of Israel was to say farewell. 22:1-34 Joshua’s first farewell was to the tribes east of the Jordan as he sent them home. Characteristically, he exhorted them to remain faithful.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… רְאוּבֵנִי (Rᵉʼûwbênîy, H7206) — a Reubenite or descendant of Reuben גָּדִי (Gâdîy, H1425) — a Gadite (collectively) or descendants of Gad חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound
Open source ↗עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on…
Open source ↗מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb דָּבַק (dâbaq, H1692) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
Open source ↗יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader עִם (ʻim, H5973) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications;… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) נֶכֶס (nekeç, H5233) — treasure אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a dress חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שִׁילֹה (Shîylôh, H7887) — Shiloh, a place in Palestine אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גְלִילָה (gᵉlîylâh, H1552) — a circuit or region יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke שִׁילֹה (Shîylôh, H7887) — Shiloh, a place in Palestine עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites פִּינְחָס (Pîynᵉchâç, H6372) — Pinechas, the name of three Israelites אֶלְעָזָר (ʼElʻâzâr, H499) — Elazar, the name of seven Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗