Joshua 22 13

Joshua 22:13 kjv

And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

Joshua 22:13 nkjv

Then the children of Israel sent Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead,

Joshua 22:13 niv

So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead?to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 22:13 esv

Then the people of Israel sent to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

Joshua 22:13 nlt

First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 13 Meaning

Joshua chapter 22 verse 13 describes the swift and decisive action taken by the tribes of Israel residing west of the Jordan River. Upon hearing that the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) had constructed a large altar upon their return home, the other tribes immediately sent a formal delegation. This delegation was led by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, and was dispatched into the land of Gilead, where these eastern tribes had settled. This mission reflects the collective concern and zealous commitment of the Israelite congregation to upholding the singular worship of God, fearing that the altar was an act of apostasy or a rival center of worship, which could bring divine judgment upon all Israel.

Joshua 22 13 Context

Joshua chapter 22 marks the conclusion of the conquest and land distribution in Canaan. The Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) had faithfully fulfilled their oath to assist the other tribes in conquering the land. Joshua honorably dismissed them, giving a solemn charge to remain loyal to the Lord. Upon returning to their homes east of the Jordan, these tribes built a significant, conspicuous altar by the Jordan River. When news of this reached the tribes west of the Jordan, it caused widespread alarm and fear. They interpreted the altar as a rival sanctuary, an act of apostasy, and a potential breach of the Mosaic covenant, which strictly commanded one central place of worship for all Israel. Their immediate reaction was to gather for war (Josh 22:12). However, before resorting to conflict, the leaders wisely decided to dispatch a diplomatic mission. Verse 13 details the dispatch of this crucial delegation, signifying a turn from presumed warfare to reasoned inquiry, aiming to resolve the severe misunderstanding and avert a bloody civil war, driven by the profound concern for the nation's spiritual purity and unity under God.

Joshua 22 13 Word analysis

• And the children of Israel sent:
  • Children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, Benei Yisrael): This collective term denotes the unified body of the twelve tribes of Israel, representing their covenant identity as God's chosen people. It indicates a consensus or widespread agreement among the western tribes in responding to the news of the altar.
  • sent (שָׁלַח, shalach): Implies a formal, deliberate dispatching of an envoy or delegation. This was a structured and official act, not an impulsive or aggressive military advance, reflecting a desire for diplomacy and investigation before conflict.
• unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh:
  • These three tribes constitute the "Transjordanian" or "eastern" tribes who settled east of the Jordan River. They had earlier sought and received this land from Moses on the condition that they would assist their brethren in the conquest of Canaan (Num 32; Josh 1). Their distinct geographical location at the border, physically separated by the Jordan River, inadvertently created grounds for misunderstanding and suspicion regarding their adherence to the central worship of God.
• into the land of Gilead:
  • Land of Gilead (הַגִּלְעָד, HaGil‘ad): A specific fertile region located east of the Jordan River, primarily associated with the tribes of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was their assigned homeland and represents the frontier area where the potentially controversial altar was built. The mention of this location highlights the physical distance and separation from the main body of Israel settled in Canaan, further emphasizing the sense of distinctness and potential for deviation that alarmed the western tribes.
• Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest:
  • Phinehas (פִּינְחָס, Pinehas): Grandson of Aaron and son of the current High Priest Eleazar. His leadership of the delegation is critically important. Phinehas was renowned for his fierce zeal for God's holiness. In the incident at Baal Peor (Num 25), he averted a plague by executing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who publicly defiled God's covenant, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to purging sin from Israel. God responded by granting Phinehas and his descendants a perpetual covenant of priesthood. His inclusion in this delegation signaled the gravity with which the Israelite leadership viewed the altar issue, equating it potentially with the life-threatening apostasy seen at Peor. His presence also indicated a serious spiritual and theological inquiry, representing God's own covenant and its strict requirements.
  • the son of Eleazar the priest: This further underscores Phinehas's direct lineage from Aaron, identifying him as part of the established high priestly line responsible for the purity of Israelite worship. It lent unparalleled spiritual authority and legitimacy to the delegation, indicating that the supreme religious authorities of Israel were actively involved and deeply concerned. The matter was first and foremost a spiritual crisis concerning divine law.

• Word Groups Analysis:
  • "the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh..." This phrase highlights the organized, deliberative action of the collective Israelite community (excluding the three concerned tribes) dispatching a formal inquiry to their brethren across the Jordan. It emphasizes the concept of corporate responsibility within the covenant community and their immediate action to address potential threats to that covenant.
  • "...Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest." The designation of Phinehas with his priestly lineage for this mission reveals the religious gravity of the situation. It conveys that the primary concern was not merely a territorial dispute but a profound theological threat to the singularity of Yahweh's worship and the unity of His covenant people. His appointment also signifies a call for faithful adherence to God's law and underscores the authority and zealous resolve behind the delegation's purpose.

Joshua 22 13 Bonus section

The Jordan River, serving as a significant geographical barrier, symbolically heightened the fears of division between the eastern and western tribes. This concern was not without precedent, as Moses himself expressed misgivings about the Transjordanian tribes' commitment (Num 32). The episode reinforces the crucial concept of "all Israel" (כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, kol Yisrael) acting as a unified entity under God's covenant. The potential sin of one part threatened the well-being of the whole. This incident prefigures later schisms in Israel's history, highlighting the enduring challenge of maintaining national and religious unity. The sending of a spiritual envoy demonstrates the preference for resolution through God's law and priestly authority rather than immediate force, reflecting God's nature that seeks relationship and reconciliation, even when His laws are seemingly challenged. This action models a biblically sound approach to potential conflict rooted in communal holiness and theological clarity.

Joshua 22 13 Commentary

Joshua 22:13 marks a pivotal moment showcasing leadership and inter-tribal dynamics in post-conquest Israel. Faced with what they perceived as a direct violation of God's covenant regarding a central place of worship, the western tribes initially considered warfare. However, a deeper wisdom prevailed, leading them to dispatch an authoritative delegation. The choice of Phinehas, a man whose zeal for God's holiness was already divinely affirmed and pivotal in averting past national catastrophe, was strategic and compelling. His presence elevated the mission beyond mere politics to a profound spiritual confrontation, emphasizing the severe consequences of potential apostasy, yet approaching it through the due process of inquiry before judgment. This proactive investigation exemplifies God's desire for reconciliation and the preservation of unity within His people, highlighting that true zeal is accompanied by a commitment to understanding before condemnation. This critical decision ultimately led to the resolution of the misunderstanding and the reaffirmation of Israel's national unity under the one true God and His sole sanctuary.

• Practical Example: In moments of perceived theological deviation or misunderstanding within the community of faith, emulate this principle by engaging in sincere, prayerful, and authority-led dialogue rather than immediate judgment or separation. Seek clarity and reconciliation through respectful inquiry, trusting God's Spirit to guide toward truth and unity.