Joshua 22:33

And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.

And the thing {H1697} pleased {H3190}{H5869} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}; and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} blessed {H1288} God {H430}, and did not intend {H559} to go up {H5927} against them in battle {H6635}, to destroy {H7843} the land {H776} wherein the children {H1121} of Reuben {H7205} and Gad {H1410} dwelt {H3427}.

What they said satisfied the people of Isra'el. The people of Isra'el blessed God and said no more about going to wage war against the descendants of Re'uven and Gad and destroying the land where they lived.

The Israelites were satisfied with the report, and they blessed God and spoke no more about going to war against them to destroy the land where the Reubenites and Gadites lived.

And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and spake no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and the children of Gad dwelt.

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 22:33 (KJV)

Joshua 22:33 marks the triumphant resolution of a potentially devastating conflict between the Israelite tribes. After a period of intense misunderstanding and the very real threat of civil war, this verse captures the immediate relief and gratitude that swept through the nation.

Context

The immediate backdrop to this verse is found in the earlier verses of Joshua chapter 22. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, having faithfully assisted the other tribes in conquering Canaan, were dismissed by Joshua to return to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River. On their journey, they built a large, conspicuous altar by the Jordan. This act was immediately misinterpreted by the western tribes (those living west of the Jordan) as an act of apostasy and rebellion against the Lord, suggesting they intended to establish a rival place of worship to the central sanctuary at Shiloh (Joshua 22:12). They prepared for war, but first sent a delegation led by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, to confront them. The Transjordanian tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifice but as a "witness" (Hebrew: 'ed) – a monument to affirm their shared identity and connection to the one true God of Israel, ensuring their descendants would not be disinherited from the covenant (Joshua 22:27). Verse 33 describes the western tribes' reaction to this explanation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Averted Conflict and Peace: The primary message is the powerful resolution of a severe misunderstanding that could have led to bloodshed. The "thing pleased the children of Israel" signifies their profound relief that peace was preserved and unity maintained.
  • The Power of Communication: This passage highlights the vital importance of clear communication in resolving disputes. Instead of immediate retribution, the western tribes sought an explanation, which ultimately saved the nation from internal strife.
  • Unity and Fellowship: The incident underscores the deep desire for unity among the twelve tribes, all bound by their covenant with God. The fear of division was so great that they were willing to go to war to prevent it, but the discovery of shared faith brought immense joy.
  • Blessing God: The act of "blessing God" indicates profound gratitude and worship. It was an acknowledgment of God's providence in guiding the conversation, revealing the truth, and ultimately averting war.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "blessed God" (Hebrew: barak Elohim) is a powerful expression of praise and thankfulness. It signifies not merely a sigh of relief, but a deliberate act of worship, recognizing God's hand in de-escalating the crisis and preserving the unity of His people. The word "pleased" (Hebrew: yatab) carries the sense of being good, right, or agreeable, indicating that the explanation was fully satisfactory and restored trust.

Practical Application

Joshua 22:33 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Don't Assume the Worst: Just as the Israelites were quick to assume apostasy, we often jump to conclusions about others' motives or actions. This verse encourages us to seek understanding before judgment.
  2. Prioritize Peace and Unity: The intense desire of the Israelites to preserve their unity, even to the point of contemplating war, reminds us of the value of peace and fellowship within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3).
  3. Communicate Clearly: Many conflicts arise from misunderstandings. This passage emphasizes the importance of clear, honest dialogue to bridge divides and prevent unnecessary strife.
  4. Give Thanks for Resolution: When conflicts are resolved, especially those that seemed insurmountable, we should follow the example of the Israelites and "bless God" for His intervention and the restoration of peace.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 29:20 (5 votes)

    And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

  • Luke 2:28 (5 votes)

    Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

  • Daniel 2:19 (5 votes)

    Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

  • Joshua 22:30 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which [were] with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.

  • 1 Samuel 25:32 (2 votes)

    ¶ And David said to Abigail, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

  • 1 Samuel 25:33 (2 votes)

    And blessed [be] thy advice, and blessed [be] thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

  • Ephesians 1:3 (2 votes)

    ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: