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Joshua 22:1

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

Then Joshua {H3091} called {H7121} the Reubenites {H7206}, and the Gadites {H1425}, and the half {H2677} tribe {H4294} of Manasseh {H4519},

Then Y'hoshua called the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M'nasheh,

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

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

Commentary

Joshua 22:1 marks a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, signaling the conclusion of a significant phase in their conquest of Canaan and the beginning of a new chapter of settlement and national life.

Context

This verse opens the account of Joshua formally dismissing the Transjordanian tribes—the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. These tribes had earlier settled their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River but had pledged to join their fellow Israelites in the conquest of Canaan before returning to their homes. This commitment, made years earlier during Moses' leadership (see Numbers 32 and Deuteronomy 3:18-20), was now being fulfilled. The land west of the Jordan had largely been subdued and divided among the other tribes, and Joshua's summons marks the culmination of their military service and the beginning of their return journey to their respective territories.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Covenant and Promise: The verse highlights the faithfulness of these tribes in keeping their word to God and to their brethren. It underscores the biblical emphasis on upholding one's vows and commitments, demonstrating integrity and obedience.
  • National Unity and Solidarity: Despite having their inheritance across the Jordan, these tribes fought alongside the rest of Israel, reinforcing the idea of a unified nation under God. This act of solidarity was crucial for the successful settlement of the Promised Land.
  • Joshua's Leadership: Joshua, as the divinely appointed leader succeeding Moses, exercises his authority here. He acknowledges their service, ensures proper order, and facilitates the transition from a unified military campaign to the individual tribes settling their inheritance, consistent with the charge given to him in Joshua 1:6-9.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "called" is qara (קָרָא), which signifies a formal summoning or proclamation. This was not a casual gathering but a significant assembly, underscoring the importance of the event and the public recognition of their faithful service to the nation of Israel.

Practical Application

Joshua 22:1 serves as a powerful reminder of the value of integrity and commitment in our own lives. It illustrates that fulfilling our promises, even when difficult or requiring significant personal sacrifice, is crucial for building trust and demonstrating character. The passage also emphasizes the strength found in unity among believers, working together for common goals, much like these tribes supported the rest of Israel in securing the Promised Land. This biblical account encourages us to be faithful in our responsibilities and to honor our word, reflecting the character of God who is always faithful to His promises.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 32:18 (4 votes)

    We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.

  • Numbers 32:33 (4 votes)

    And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.

  • Deuteronomy 29:7 (3 votes)

    And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:

  • Deuteronomy 29:8 (3 votes)

    And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.