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Joshua 22:1

in Joshua 22

Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,

KJV

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

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This verse in Joshua 22

Commentary

7 notes on this verse
The events of this chap. are no doubt recorded in their proper historical order. The auxiliary forces of the trans-Jordanic tribes were not sent away immediately after the campaigns against the Canaanites were over. They set forth from Shiloh, Jos 22:9, to which place the sanctuary had been removed Jos 18:1 after the conquest and the settlement of the children of Judah and of Joseph in their possessions, and after the appointment of the Levitical cities.

This site's exposition

Then Joshua called the Reubenites

on Joshua 22:1-3

The bargain being settled here was struck at Numbers 32:20-22, where these tribes promised to cross over armed before the Lord until every other tribe had its inheritance. Joshua's words at verse 3, that they have not left their brethren these many days, are the receipt for that promise. Commentators reckon the length of service from Caleb's arithmetic at Joshua 14:7 and 14:10, forty years old at the spying and eighty-five now, with thirty-eight of the forty-five spent in the wilderness, which leaves about seven years of war.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

Origen of Alexandria

HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 26.2 · Written before 253.

proposed

After these things Jesus [Joshua] assembles the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had served as soldiers with him to overcome the foes of the Israelites, and he dismisses them to go to their inheritance with certain gifts given to them, as it is written.

The Reformation1 voice

A commentator

John Calvin

1509–1564

Commentaries (1554)

proposed

Now, when they have perseveringly performed their part as faithful allies, and the ten tribes contented with their present fortune, not only do not demand, but rather tacitly repudiate their assistance, a free return to their homes is justly allowed them.

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

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.

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

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.

The words behind it

8 Hebrew words

Every Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

  • אָ֚זthen

    ʾazH227 →141 times

  • יִקְרָ֣אhe summoned

    yikra'H7121 →733 times

  • יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshua

    yehoshua'H3091 →218 times

  • לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֖י<to> the Reubenite[s]

    loruveniH7206 →18 times

  • וְלַגָּדִ֑יand <to> the Gadite[s]

    velagadiH1425 →16 times

  • וְלַחֲצִ֖יand <to> [the] half of

    velachatziH2677 →125 times

  • מַטֵּ֥ה[the] tribe of

    matehH4294 →252 times

  • מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃Manasseh

    menashehH4519 →146 times

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

2 in all, six open

About Joshua

The Walls of Jericho Fall Down, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Walls of Jericho Fall Down, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Joshua: the study guide →Read Joshua 22 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Keil and Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: Joshua, Judges, Ruth; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Origen of Alexandria, HOMILIES ON JOSHUA 26.2.

Read on in Joshua 22 →