Joshua 22 2

Joshua 22:2 kjv

And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:

Joshua 22:2 nkjv

and said to them: "You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you.

Joshua 22:2 niv

and said to them, "You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded.

Joshua 22:2 esv

and said to them, "You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you.

Joshua 22:2 nlt

He told them, "You have done as Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you, and you have obeyed every order I have given you.

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 2 Meaning

Joshua 22:2 declares a powerful affirmation of the faithfulness and complete obedience of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It recognizes their diligent adherence to every command given through Moses, God’s chosen servant, and also to every specific instruction issued by Joshua himself. This verse highlights their unwavering commitment to the Lord’s will and their cooperative spirit throughout the campaign for the land of Canaan.

Joshua 22 2 Context

Joshua 22 opens with Joshua dispatching the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) back to their inheritance across the Jordan River. These tribes had faithfully fulfilled their agreement made in Joshua 1:12-18, serving alongside their western brethren in the conquest of Canaan for seven years, even though their own families and livestock were already settled. Joshua’s commendation in verse 2 serves as an official acknowledgment and blessing, signifying the completion of their shared covenant responsibility and their readiness to return home. This act also sets the stage for the dramatic misunderstanding that immediately follows in the chapter (the building of an altar by the eastern tribes), which highlights the overarching theme of the unity and fidelity required for Israel's continued existence as God's people in the promised land. Historically, this marks a significant transition from war and conquest to the challenges of peaceful settlement and maintaining internal harmony within a single covenant community.

Joshua 22 2 Word analysis

• You have kept (וַתִּשְׁמְרוּ, va’tishmərû): From the Hebrew root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, watch over, preserve, be faithful. This term implies a proactive, diligent, and continuous act of obedience, not merely passive agreement. Its significance lies in conveying an active dedication and meticulous adherence to the instructions received.
• all that (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר, kōl ʼăsher): Emphasizes comprehensiveness and completeness. This phrase underscores that no command, no instruction, no part of the requirement was overlooked or selectively obeyed. It speaks to the totality of their faithfulness.
• Moses (מֹשֶׁה, mōšeh): God's divinely appointed prophet and the mediator of the Mosaic covenant, who delivered the Torah (Law) to Israel. He is the foundational figure for Israel’s identity and obedience.
• the servant (עֶבֶד, ʻeḇeḏ): In this context, it signifies a dedicated and loyal bond servant who executes the will of his master. Moses's designation as "the servant of the Lord" emphasizes his faithful agency in conveying God's divine commands, adding absolute authority to the commands themselves.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh): The personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and redeeming character. Attributing commands to "the Lord" establishes their ultimate divine origin and inviolable nature.
• commanded (צִוָּה, tsiwâh): From the Hebrew root צָוָה (tsavah), meaning to command, order, give charge, appoint. This denotes an authoritative directive, indicating instructions that are to be meticulously carried out, often with implications of consequence for compliance or defiance.
• you (אֶתְכֶם, ʼetkhem or suffix): Refers collectively to the two-and-a-half tribes east of the Jordan. This signifies corporate obedience and responsibility within the community of Israel.
• and have obeyed (וַתִּשְׁמְרוּ, va’tishmərû): The identical word and root (shamar) as "You have kept," repeated for emphasis. This literary device reinforces the continuity and steadfastness of their obedience, showing it extended beyond the commands of Moses to the current leadership.
• my voice (קוֹלִי, qôlî): Refers to Joshua’s spoken instructions and leadership. This indicates that obedience was due not only to the written Law given by Moses but also to the living voice of God's appointed leader in the present.
• in all that (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר, bəkol ʼăsher): Again, the phrase emphasizing comprehensiveness, confirming that their obedience to Joshua's directives was just as thorough and complete as their obedience to Moses.
• I have commanded you (צִוִּיתִי אֶתְכֶם, tsiwwîtî ʼetkhem): Joshua’s personal commands concerning the conduct of the war and their role in the conquest. This acknowledges Joshua's specific authority and the practical, ongoing demands he placed upon them.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you": This phrase unequivocally affirms their faithful adherence to the foundational covenant law and instructions received through Moses. It speaks to their obedience to the timeless and immutable divine will embodied in the Torah, which forms the core of Israel’s identity. The designation "servant of the Lord" lends supreme divine authority to Moses’s commands.
• "and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you": This subsequent phrase extends the commendation to their obedience under Joshua's immediate leadership. It highlights the practical outworking of their faith and commitment in the real-time execution of the conquest and the specific strategic directives issued by their present divinely-appointed leader. The repetition of "all" underscores their total and consistent compliance, both with established law and with contemporary commands. This shows continuity of obedience through leadership changes under divine direction.

Joshua 22 2 Bonus section

This verse carries significant theological weight concerning divine authority and leadership succession. It underscores that God’s authority remains consistent across different leadership figures (Moses to Joshua). Obedience is not solely to the person but to God's will expressed through that person. The commendation itself functions as a prophetic sign; a unified, obedient Israel fulfills God’s promises, but a disobedient one will suffer judgment (a recurring theme later in Judges). Furthermore, this emphasis on complete obedience to "all" commands foreshadows the recurring challenge for Israel throughout their history, and for all believers, to maintain total fidelity to God’s word in every aspect of life, recognizing no distinction between the fundamental tenets and specific daily applications. This is a divine call to covenant faithfulness which brings rest and blessings, implicitly setting the stage for future blessings conditional on continued adherence.

Joshua 22 2 Commentary

Joshua 22:2 is a profound commendation of the two-and-a-half tribes' exemplary obedience. It celebrates their comprehensive fidelity, both to the established, enduring Law given through Moses—"the servant of the Lord"—and to the direct, ongoing commands issued by Joshua. This duality highlights the vital balance in faithfulness: honoring God's foundational, revealed Word and submitting to the guidance of His appointed leaders in the present. Their obedience was complete, "all that... all that," leaving no room for partial or selective compliance, reflecting a deep respect for God's authority communicated through His chosen channels. This diligent adherence not only brought about the successful conclusion of their assigned task in the conquest but also solidified their covenant standing with the rest of Israel, showcasing that true loyalty to God manifests in unwavering obedience to His directives. For instance, their readiness to cross the Jordan and fight, even when their own land was secure, demonstrates practical obedience over self-interest, serving as a testament to their corporate covenant responsibility.