Joshua 22:6-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 22:1-9

The war being ended, and ended gloriously, Joshua, as a prudent general, disbands his army, who never designed to make war their trade, and sends them home, to enjoy what they had conquered, and to beat their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning-hooks; and particularly the forces of these separate tribes, who had received their inheritance on the other side Jordan from Moses upon this condition, that their men of war should assist the other tribes in the conquest of Canaan,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:6

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away ,.... Dismissed them from his presence with a blessing, in order to go to their own country; this he did by wishing them well, praying to God for a blessing on them, their persons, and families, who had been so useful in assisting their brethren to get possession of the land of Canaan. Some think this blessing includes gifts and presents he bestowed on them: and they went unto their tents ; here the word means their military tents in the camp of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:7

Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan ,.... The kingdom of Og, see Deuteronomy 3:13 , but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward : of which an account is given, and the border of their lot described, Joshua 17:1 , and when Joshua sent them also unto their tents, then he blessed them ; it seems as if this half tribe was separately dismissed and blessed, they being more nearly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 22:7

Then he blessed them - Spoke respectfully of their fidelity and exertions, wished them every spiritual and temporal good, prayed to God to protect and save them, and probably gave some gifts to those leaders among them that had most distinguished themselves in this seven years' war. In all the above senses the word bless is frequently taken in Scripture. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:1-9

We have seen the Reubenites and Gadites generously taking their part in the war for the conquest of Canaan, though they had already come into possession themselves of their assigned share on the other side of Jordan. In this way the solidarity of the nation was vindicated. Joshua now sends back these soldiers of their country to their own inheritance, and we see in the verses before us the reward of their fidelity to duty. I. THEIR FIRST RECOMPENSE IS A MATERIAL ONE . They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:1-34

Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh at home. Three points are especially noticeable in this chapter. First, the reward of those who have laboured on behalf of their brethren; next, the duty of claiming our privileges as Christians when severed from our brethren; and lastly, the necessity of zeal for the purity of religion. I. SELF DENIAL SHALL HAVE ITS REWARD . Our Lord tells us that he who gives a cup of cold water to his brother shall not lose his reward. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:6

To their tents. It would seem that, during the whole of these "many days," the conquered cities had remained tenantless, waiting for the return of the warriors from their long expedition. "Those that were first in the assignment of the land were last in the enjoyment of it; so 'the last shall be first and the first last,' that there may be something of equality" (Matthew Henry). The first part of the quotation is due to Bishop Hall, who also says, "If heaven be never so sweet to us, yet may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 22:7

Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh. We have here, as Keil remarks, a specimen of our author's habit of repetition. Four times do we read ( Joshua 13:14 , Joshua 13:33 ; Joshua 14:3 ; Joshua 18:7 ) that the Levites were to have no share in the division of the land. Four times (in Joshua 13:8 ; Joshua 14:3 ; Joshua 18:7 , and here) does he repeat that the tribe of Manasseh was divided into two, and had its inheritance on either side Jordan. The same kind of repetition... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 22:7-8

The insertion of this explanation about the half tribe, and the repetition of Joshua’s farewell, are examples of a marked characteristic of very ancient writers and of Hebrew writers as much as any - that of giving a completeness and finish to each section of their story. The Jewish historian scarcely ever quotes or reminds, but repeats so much as may be necessary to make his account of the transaction in hand fully intelligible by itself. (Compare also Joshua 13:14, Joshua 13:33; Joshua 14:3;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 22:7

Joshua 22:7. Then he blessed them Not only prayed for them as a friend, but blessed them as a father, in the name of the Lord, recommending them, their families, and affairs to the grace of God. It seems probable, from the manner in which this is stated, that this his blessing was peculiarly and separately given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. He was somewhat more nearly related to them than to the other two, as being an Ephraimite, and perhaps they might be more reluctant to depart than the... read more

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