Joshua 22 30

Joshua 22:30 kjv

And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.

Joshua 22:30 nkjv

Now when Phinehas the priest and the rulers of the congregation, the heads of the divisions of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them.

Joshua 22:30 niv

When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community?the heads of the clans of the Israelites?heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased.

Joshua 22:30 esv

When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes.

Joshua 22:30 nlt

When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community ? the heads of the clans of Israel ? heard this from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, they were satisfied.

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 30 Meaning

Joshua 22:30 describes the positive reception of the explanation given by the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) regarding the large altar they built. When Phinehas the priest and the other Israelite leaders heard and understood that the altar was not for illicit sacrifice or rebellion, but as a perpetual witness to their loyalty to Yahweh, they were fully satisfied and pleased, thereby averting a potentially catastrophic civil war and collective sin.

Joshua 22 30 Context

Joshua chapter 22 details the journey of the Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—back to their ancestral lands after faithfully assisting their fellow Israelites in the conquest of Canaan, as they had promised (Num 32; Jos 1). Upon reaching the Jordan, a significant geographical and symbolic boundary, they constructed a very large, prominent altar. This action was immediately perceived by the western tribes (who dwelt in Canaan) as an act of apostasy or schism, a rebellion against God by building a rival altar to the central sanctuary at Shiloh. Fearing corporate sin and God's wrath, similar to past transgressions like Baal-Peor (Num 25) or Achan's sin (Jos 7), the united tribes of Israel gathered for war against their brethren. Before engaging in conflict, they sent a high-level delegation, led by Phinehas the priest and ten other chiefs, to confront the Transjordanian tribes. Verse 30 follows the detailed explanation given by the Transjordanian tribes that their altar was not for sacrifice but as a witness (a reminder and a sign of their shared inheritance and worship of Yahweh) so that future generations would not question their belonging to Israel and their right to worship at the Lord's tabernacle. The leaders’ positive reception of this explanation in Joshua 22:30 is the critical turning point that averted civil war and preserved the unity of Israel.

Joshua 22 30 Word analysis

• And when Phinehas (וּפִֽינְחָ֣ס - uPhinchas): Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, held significant authority as the High Priest's successor. His past act of zealous intervention to stop a plague resulting from Israel's idolatry and immorality (Num 25:7-13) marked him as a guardian of divine holiness. His presence in this delegation emphasized the severity of the suspected offense and the earnest desire to avoid God's wrath. His ability to listen before acting highlights spiritual maturity.
• the priest (הַכֹּהֵן - hakkohen): This title underscores his authoritative and mediatorial role. As a priest, he was tasked with discerning God's will and maintaining the purity of worship according to the Law.
• and the chiefs (וְנְשִׂיאֵ֣י - w'nasi'ey): These were the tribal heads or representatives, specifically ten in number (Jos 22:14), one from each western tribe. They represented the entire Israelite community. Their presence signifies that this was not merely a priestly matter but a national concern, handled through corporate deliberation.
• of the congregation (הָעֵדָ֗ה - ha'edah): Refers to the collective assembly or community of Israel. This term emphasizes that the dispute affected the entire covenant people and that the resolution was accepted by the full representation of the nation.
• that were with him (אֲשֶׁר֙ אִתּ֔וֹ - asher itto): Reinforces the delegated nature of the mission. Phinehas was the lead, but it was a team effort representing a united front.
• heard (שָֽׁמְע֛וּ - sham'u): From the root שׁמע (shama'), "to hear, to listen, to understand, to obey." It implies not just perceiving sound but attentive listening with the intention to comprehend and judge rightly. This active listening was crucial for preventing bloodshed.
• the words (הַדְּבָרִ֥ים - haddevarim): More than just utterances; this refers to the "matters," "affairs," or the detailed explanation and defense provided by the Transjordanian tribes (Jos 22:21-29). It signifies a reasoned argument, not just an emotional appeal.
• that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh (בְּנֵֽי־רְאוּבֵן֙ וּבְנֵי־גָ֔ד וַחֲצִ֥י הַמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה - bene Re'uven uvnei Gad vachatzí hammnashsheh): Explicitly names the accused tribes. This specificity underlines the national importance of the potential conflict.
• spake (דִּבְּר֣וּ - dibberu): From the root דבר (dabar), "to speak, to talk, to declare." This implies they articulated their defense clearly and comprehensively. The effectiveness of their explanation averted disaster.
• it pleased them (וַיִּיטַ֥ב בְּעֵינֵיהֶֽם - vayyitav b'eyneyhem): Literally "it was good in their eyes." This idiomatic expression denotes full approval, satisfaction, and agreement. Their suspicions were removed, and the truth of the situation was fully grasped and accepted. It signals the success of the delegation's mission to ascertain the truth and the collective relief that a grave national sin was avoided.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation...heard the words": This phrase highlights the importance of authoritative leadership (priest and chiefs) combined with discerning communication (hearing the words). It showcases that collective decisions, particularly on matters of faith and unity, must involve thorough investigation and understanding from recognized leaders, preventing rash judgments based on initial appearances.
• "that the children of Reuben...spake, it pleased them": This sequence underscores the power of clear, truthful explanation and the value of receptivity. The accurate and heartfelt articulation by the Transjordanian tribes (who "spake") combined with the willingness of the delegation to truly "hear" and be "pleased" by the truth, resulted in the triumph of peace and unity over potential war and schism. It illustrates how patient dialogue can overcome deep-seated fears and misunderstandings within the covenant community.

Joshua 22 30 Bonus section

The resolution in Joshua 22 underscores a profound theological principle: that righteous motives and adherence to God's covenant are more pleasing than presumptuous actions, even when those actions are born from a desire to defend God's honor. The "altar of witness" (referred to later as "Ed" in Jos 22:34) served as a visible pledge of fidelity and a reminder that though geographically separated by the Jordan, the tribes East of the Jordan were indeed part of the singular covenant people of Israel, subject to the same divine laws and deserving of access to the single, true sanctuary of Yahweh. The entire episode highlights a collective maturing of Israel, where past failures of corporate sin (like Achan's or Baal-Peor) informed their zeal, but that zeal was then tempered by the wisdom to seek clarity and uphold unity through dialogue, preventing self-inflicted spiritual harm and demonstrating the power of discerning reconciliation.

Joshua 22 30 Commentary

Joshua 22:30 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's early history after settling in the promised land. It portrays the critical importance of effective communication and discerning judgment within a community, especially in matters of faith and potential division. The immediate suspicion by the western tribes, though born of a righteous fear of God's wrath due to corporate sin, almost led to an unwarranted civil war. However, the wisdom of sending a delegation to investigate before acting rashly allowed for the truth to be heard. The phrase "it pleased them" signifies not merely satisfaction but a deep relief and validation. The leaders' initial alarm was replaced by understanding and approval, recognizing that the altar was a testament to loyalty rather than a sign of rebellion. This incident serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of clarifying intentions, practicing active listening, and seeking peace over conflict within the people of God, reinforcing the unity established by their covenant with Yahweh.