Joshua 22:8

And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

And he spake {H559} unto them, saying {H559}, Return {H7725} with much {H7227} riches {H5233} unto your tents {H168}, and with very {H3966} much {H7227} cattle {H4735}, with silver {H3701}, and with gold {H2091}, and with brass {H5178}, and with iron {H1270}, and with very {H3966} much {H7235} raiment {H8008}: divide {H2505} the spoil {H7998} of your enemies {H341} with your brethren {H251}.

saying, "Return with great riches to your tents - with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron and with great quantities of clothing; share the spoil of your enemies with your kinsmen."

saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.”

and spake unto them, saying, Return with much wealth unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

Commentary

Joshua 22:8 marks a significant moment in Israel's history, as Joshua addresses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. After years of faithful service in the conquest of Canaan alongside their brethren, these tribes are now dismissed to return to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River.

Historical and Cultural Context

For seven years, these eastern tribes had left their families and lands to fulfill a solemn vow made to Moses and later to Joshua. Their commitment, detailed in Numbers 32 and reaffirmed in Joshua 1:12-18, was to assist the other tribes in conquering the land west of the Jordan before settling in their own territories. Joshua's words here are an acknowledgement of their unwavering loyalty and a testament to the completion of this crucial phase of the conquest of Canaan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Faithfulness Rewarded: The verse highlights the principle that obedience and perseverance in God's service bring tangible rewards. The "much riches," "cattle," "silver," "gold," "brass," "iron," and "raiment" are not just war spoils, but a divine blessing for their unwavering commitment to the covenant.
  • Divine Provision: The abundant spoil is a clear sign of God's provision and blessing on their military campaigns. It underscores that their victories and subsequent wealth were ultimately from the Lord.
  • Generosity and Sharing: The command, "divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren," is crucial. It emphasizes the importance of community, equity, and sharing blessings within the family or tribe. This wasn't merely about personal enrichment but about ensuring that the benefits of their collective effort were distributed, fostering unity and mutual support among the people of Israel. This principle echoes throughout scripture, encouraging believers to share what they have with others.
  • Completion of Mission: Joshua's dismissal signifies the successful conclusion of the primary military phase of the conquest, allowing these tribes to return home to their families and inheritances.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "spoil" is shalal (שלל), referring to plunder or booty taken in war. The emphasis on the quantity ("much riches," "very much cattle," "very much raiment") underscores the immense success God granted them. The term "brethren" (achim - אחים) reinforces the strong familial and communal bonds that were central to ancient Israelite society, even among those living on different sides of the Jordan River.

Practical Application

Joshua 22:8 reminds us that faithfulness to our commitments, especially those made before God, is honored and rewarded. It teaches the value of perseverance, even when the task is long and arduous. Furthermore, the command to "divide the spoil" serves as a timeless reminder for believers to be generous, sharing their blessings—whether material wealth, talents, or spiritual gifts—with others, particularly within the community of faith. Our successes are often a result of collective effort or divine favor, and should be used to bless others, not just ourselves, reflecting the heart of God's generosity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Numbers 31:27

    And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:

  • Deuteronomy 8:17

    And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth.

  • Deuteronomy 8:18

    But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.

  • Deuteronomy 8:9

    A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

  • Deuteronomy 8:14

    Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

  • Proverbs 3:16

    Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.

  • 1 Samuel 30:24

    For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part [is] that goeth down to the battle, so [shall] his part [be] that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
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