Joshua 22:6

KJV

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Joshua {H3091} blessed {H1288} them, and sent them away {H7971}: and they went {H3212} unto their tents {H168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Y'hoshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way, and they went to their homes.

American Standard Version

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went unto their tents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 22:6 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, signifying the successful conclusion of the Transjordanian tribes' military service alongside their brethren. After years of faithful commitment to the conquest of Canaan, Joshua, as the divinely appointed leader, formally blesses them and grants their dismissal. This verse encapsulates the themes of covenant fidelity, the value of leadership affirmation, and the satisfaction of returning to one's inheritance after a period of arduous, unified effort for the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate culmination of a significant narrative arc within the book of Joshua. Chapters 13-21 detail the intricate process of land allocation to the various Israelite tribes. Specifically, Joshua 22:1-6 recounts Joshua's final charge and dismissal of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had settled east of the Jordan River. Their long-standing commitment, made originally to Moses in [Numbers 32](/numbers/32 "Numbers 32 - The Transjordan Tribes Settle East of Jordan") and reaffirmed to Joshua in [Joshua 1:12-18](/joshua/1-12 "Joshua 1:12-18 - Joshua's Charge to the Eastern Tribes"), was to cross the Jordan and fight with their Israelite brethren until the entire land of Canaan was subdued and divided. Joshua 22:6 directly follows Joshua's commendation of their faithfulness (Joshua 22:2-5) and precedes the dramatic incident of the altar of witness (Joshua 22:10ff), which, ironically, threatened the very unity celebrated in this verse. Thus, it is a moment of profound relief and national cohesion before a new challenge arises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East placed immense value on oaths and covenant obligations, often sealed with blessings or curses. The vow of the Transjordanian tribes was a solemn commitment to their national and covenantal identity, demonstrating a remarkable level of self-sacrifice and tribal solidarity. For years, these warriors had left their families and their newly acquired land east of the Jordan to participate in the arduous and often brutal campaigns west of the river. Joshua's blessing was not merely a polite farewell but a formal, spiritual act, invoking divine favor upon them, akin to a priestly benediction. The concept of "tents" (אֹהֶל, _ohel_) in this context is a common biblical idiom for one's home, family, and settled dwelling place, signifying a return to domestic life and the enjoyment of their hard-won inheritance. The geographical separation by the Jordan River, while practical for land division, also posed a potential challenge to national unity, making this act of formal dismissal and blessing even more significant.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 22:6 powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes. Firstly, it highlights the **fulfillment of covenant obligation and faithfulness to one's word**. The Transjordanian tribes had honored their arduous commitment, demonstrating integrity and perseverance. Secondly, it underscores **faithful leadership and the power of commendation**. Joshua, as a godly leader, recognizes and publicly affirms the dedication of these warriors, bestowing a blessing that carries spiritual weight and acknowledges their service. This act of blessing reinforces his role as God's chosen instrument for leading Israel. Thirdly, the verse points to the theme of **national unity and solidarity**. Despite geographical separation, the tribes acted as one people, fulfilling a shared mission. Their return to their "tents" also signifies the **satisfaction of returning to one's inheritance and rest** after a period of intense labor, a recurring motif throughout the book of Joshua, as the people finally enter and settle in the land promised to their ancestors, as seen in [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - The Lord Gives Israel Rest").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blessed (Hebrew, בָּרַךְ, _barak_):** This verb signifies more than a simple farewell. In biblical Hebrew, _barak_ implies invoking divine favor, prosperity, and peace. When a leader like Joshua "blesses," it is a formal pronouncement of well-being and God's favor upon the recipients, often for their faithfulness and obedience. It carries spiritual weight, akin to the priestly blessing found in [Numbers 6:24-26](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24-26 - The Priestly Blessing"), acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all good. Joshua's act here is a public commendation and a prayer for God's continued presence with them as they return to their homes.
* **sent them away (Hebrew, שָׁלַח, _shalach_):** This verb means "to send, to stretch out, to dismiss." In this context, it denotes an official and honorable dismissal from military service. It implies that their duty was completed, and they were released with full authorization to return to their homes. It is a formal act of release, not merely a casual parting, signifying the successful conclusion of their long-standing obligation.
* **tents (Hebrew, אֹהֶל, _ohel_):** While literally meaning "tent," this term is a common biblical idiom for one's dwelling place, home, or family. It represents the settled life, the domestic sphere, and the enjoyment of one's inheritance. Their return "unto their tents" signifies the end of their nomadic military campaign and their re-entry into the normalcy of tribal and family life within their allotted territory east of the Jordan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Joshua blessed them":** This clause highlights Joshua's role as the faithful and discerning leader, acting on behalf of God. His blessing is a formal, spiritual act of commendation and invocation of divine favor upon the Transjordanian tribes for their unwavering commitment and successful fulfillment of their covenant obligations. It signifies the official recognition of their service and the spiritual well-wishes for their future.
* **"and sent them away":** This phrase indicates the formal dismissal of the warriors. Their military duty, which had extended for years, was now officially complete. This act of "sending away" is a release from their shared national responsibility, allowing them to return to their own lands and families, having honorably discharged their vow.
* **"and they went unto their tents":** This final clause signifies the physical act of returning home. "Unto their tents" is an idiom for returning to their respective families, communities, and inherited lands east of the Jordan River. It marks the end of their arduous campaign and the beginning of their settled life, enjoying the fruits of the conquest and their own inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 22:6, though concise, employs several significant literary devices. The verse functions as a **Climax** to the extended narrative of the Transjordanian tribes' military service, bringing their long-standing commitment to a formal and blessed conclusion. The phrase "went unto their tents" is a classic biblical **Idiom**, widely understood to mean "returned home" or "returned to their dwelling places," symbolizing the transition from military campaign to settled domestic life. Furthermore, Joshua's act of "blessing" carries profound **Symbolism**, representing not just personal goodwill but a divine endorsement and invocation of God's favor upon those who have been faithful. The "tents" themselves also serve as a **Symbol** of rest, family, and the secure enjoyment of one's inheritance after a period of labor and conflict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 22:6 is rich with theological significance, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant people and the importance of human fidelity to divine commands. The verse demonstrates that God honors obedience and perseverance; the peaceful dismissal and blessing of the Transjordanian tribes illustrate that fulfilling one's commitments, especially those made in covenant, brings divine favor and the satisfaction of a task completed well. Joshua's blessing reflects God's own character as a God who acknowledges and rewards diligent service. This moment also reinforces the concept of national unity under God's leadership, even across geographical divides, highlighting that shared purpose and mutual support are vital for God's people. The return to their "tents" symbolizes the rest and inheritance that God provides for those who walk in His ways, a foretaste of the ultimate rest found in Him.

* [Numbers 32:20-22](/numbers/32-20 "Numbers 32:20-22 - The Vow of the Transjordan Tribes")
* [Joshua 1:12-15](/joshua/1-12 "Joshua 1:12-15 - Joshua's Charge to the Eastern Tribes")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Keeping Vows to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 22:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as the Transjordanian tribes faithfully fulfilled their arduous commitment, we are called to be people of our word, diligently pursuing the responsibilities and vows we undertake, whether in our personal lives, professional callings, or spiritual service to God and neighbor. There is immense satisfaction and divine favor in completing a task with integrity and perseverance. Furthermore, Joshua's example reminds leaders and individuals alike of the power of affirmation and blessing. Acknowledging and commending faithful service, whether in the church, workplace, or family, can be profoundly encouraging and validating. Finally, the "return to their tents" speaks to the necessity of rest and returning to one's primary sphere of influence after periods of intense labor. We are not meant to be perpetually in "campaign mode"; there is a time for rest, for family, and for integrating the lessons learned from our service into the fabric of our daily lives, trusting that God continues to bless us in our homes and vocations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joshua's act of blessing challenge or affirm our own practices of acknowledging faithful service in our communities or workplaces?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently called to fulfill a long-standing commitment, and what encouragement can you draw from the tribes' perseverance?**
* **What does "returning to your tents" look like for you after a period of intense spiritual or physical labor, and how do you ensure you find rest in God?**

### FAQ
**Why was it significant that Joshua "blessed" the Transjordanian tribes?**

Answer: Joshua's blessing was far more than a polite farewell; it was a formal, spiritual act with deep significance. In the biblical context, to "bless" (Hebrew: _barak_) means to invoke divine favor, prosperity, and peace upon someone. As God's appointed leader, Joshua's blessing carried the weight of divine approval, acknowledging the tribes' faithfulness and perseverance in fulfilling their covenant obligations. It was a public commendation of their service and a prayer for God's continued protection and prosperity as they returned to their homes and families. This act solidified their standing as part of the unified nation of Israel, despite their geographical separation, and affirmed that God honors those who are obedient and faithful to His commands, as seen in [Numbers 6:24-26](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24-26 - The Priestly Blessing").

**What does the phrase "they went unto their tents" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "they went unto their tents" is a common biblical idiom that signifies returning home, to one's family, and settled dwelling place. It does not necessarily mean they literally lived in tents, but rather that they were returning to their domestic lives and their allotted inheritance east of the Jordan River. This phrase marks the successful completion of their military campaign and their transition from a period of arduous service and nomadic warfare to a settled existence within their own tribal territories. It symbolizes the end of their shared national duty and the beginning of their enjoyment of the land God had provided for them, as promised in [Joshua 1:15](/joshua/1-15 "Joshua 1:15 - The Eastern Tribes Return Home").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 22:6, though a narrative of ancient Israel, resonates with profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Joshua, as the leader who blesses and dismisses the faithful tribes, serves as a type of Christ, the greater Joshua (Jesus, meaning "Yahweh saves"). Just as Joshua led Israel into their promised land and granted them rest, so Jesus leads His people into a spiritual inheritance and eternal rest. The Transjordanian tribes' faithful fulfillment of their vow, enduring years of arduous service before returning to their inheritance, foreshadows Christ's perfect obedience and complete fulfillment of the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). He "finished the work" (cf. [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Completes His Work")) and then, like Joshua, blessed His disciples before His ascension, commissioning them to return to their "tents" (their earthly lives) to bear witness to His completed work ([Luke 24:50-51](/luke/24-50 "Luke 24:50-51 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven")). Our "return to our tents" in this life, after periods of service or spiritual battle, is empowered by Christ's blessing and the promise of His presence. Ultimately, the "tents" of this earthly life point to the eternal "tents" or dwelling places that Christ has prepared for us in His Father's house, where we will experience ultimate rest and the full enjoyment of our inheritance in Him ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")). Thus, Joshua 22:6 prefigures the completed work of Christ, His blessing upon His people, and their ultimate rest and inheritance in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 14:13

And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

Luke 24:50

¶ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

Exodus 39:43

And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

2 Samuel 6:18

And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

Genesis 47:7

And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

2 Samuel 6:20

¶ Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

Genesis 14:19

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: