Joshua 22 31

Joshua 22:31 kjv

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.

Joshua 22:31 nkjv

Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh, "This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD."

Joshua 22:31 niv

And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, "Today we know that the LORD is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the LORD in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD's hand."

Joshua 22:31 esv

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, "Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD."

Joshua 22:31 nlt

Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, "Today we know the LORD is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the LORD."

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 31 Meaning

Joshua 22:31 signifies a pivotal moment of reconciliation and affirmation of God's continued presence among Israel. Phinehas, representing the assembly of Israel and acting under the divine authority vested in the priesthood, declares that the Transjordan tribes' actions have been correctly understood. This understanding reveals that they have not committed a treacherous act against the LORD, thereby preventing a potential schism and averting the severe divine judgment that would have fallen upon the entire nation for such covenant disloyalty. The day thus became a witness to God's presence through His people's fidelity and discernment.

Joshua 22 31 Context

Joshua chapter 22 details a crucial post-conquest event where the Transjordan tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh) are dismissed by Joshua to return to their inherited land east of the Jordan. Before crossing, they construct a large, conspicuous altar near the Jordan. Upon hearing of this, the western tribes (the other 9.5 tribes) and their leaders, led by Phinehas the priest and ten tribal chiefs, fear a grave apostasy. They interpret the altar as an act of rebellion against the LORD and a departure from the singular, central altar prescribed by Mosaic law, believing it would provoke divine wrath upon all Israel, similar to the judgment on Achan (Josh 7) or Peor (Num 25). Verse 31 captures Phinehas's relief and declaration after the Transjordan tribes explain their intentions: the altar was not for sacrifice, but a memorial ("Ed" – "Witness") to affirm their shared inheritance and covenant with the LORD, preventing their descendants from being excluded from worshipping at the central altar in the future. This explanation averted a potential civil war and corporate judgment.

Joshua 22 31 Word analysis

• And Phinehas: (וּפִינְחָס - u-Piynchas) The name Phinehas (פִּינְחָס) is highly significant. As the grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, he represents the high priestly lineage and, therefore, the spiritual authority and zeal for God's covenant. His prominent role here recalls his earlier zealous action in Numbers 25 where he intervened decisively to stop a plague resulting from Israel's sin at Peor, effectively "turning away the wrath" of God. His leadership in this delegation signals the gravity of the potential trespass.
• the son of Eleazar the priest: (בֶּן-אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן - ben-El'azar ha-Kohen) This lineage further solidifies his authority and position. Eleazar succeeded Aaron as high priest (Num 20:28), and Phinehas was designated to follow him (Num 27:21). The priestly office was central to mediating between God and Israel, ensuring adherence to the Law, and performing acts of atonement. Phinehas's involvement here highlights that the issue was considered a profoundly spiritual matter impacting the covenant.
• said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh: (אֶל-בְּנֵי רְאוּבֵן וְאֶל-בְּנֵי גָד וְאֶל-בְּנֵי חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה - 'el-bene Re'uven v'el-bene Gad v'el-bene chatsi shevet Menashsheh) This specifies the delegation's audience: the Transjordan tribes, who were the subject of the initial grave suspicion. This highlights the communication across the geographical and potentially ideological divide.
• This day: (הַיּוֹם - ha-yom) Emphasizes the immediate, momentous impact of the understanding and resolution. It marks a critical turning point and a distinct historical event.
• we perceive that: (יָדַעְנוּ כִּי - yada'nu ki) The verb "perceive" (יָדַע - yada') means to know experientially, to come to understand deeply. It's more than just intellectual assent; it implies discernment and confirmation, replacing doubt with certainty. This indicates the profound relief and confirmed faith on the part of the western tribes.
• the LORD is among us: (יְהוָה בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ - YHWH beqirbenu) This is the central affirmation. "The LORD" (YHWH, God's covenant name) "is among us" (בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ - beqirbenu, literally "in our midst"). This signifies God's active, dwelling presence, indicating His approval, protection, and blessing. It implies covenant faithfulness and the prevention of His judgment. Israel's well-being and success were wholly dependent on God's presence (Deut 23:14; Josh 7:12).
• because ye have not committed this trespass: (כִּי לֹא-מְעַלְתֶּם מַעַל - ki lo'-me'altem ma'al) This directly negates the initial accusation. The word "trespass" (מַעַל - ma'al) is crucial. It signifies a profound act of unfaithfulness or betrayal, especially against God's covenant, often involving sacrilege or profanation (cf. Lev 5:15, Num 5:6-8). Such a sin demanded serious intervention and consequences, as seen with Achan (Josh 7). The double use here (verb and noun) emphasizes the gravity of the act that was not committed.
• against the LORD: (בַּיהוָה - ba-YHWH) Explicitly states that the potential "trespass" would have been an offense against God Himself, not just a social or political slight. This underlines the theological severity of the matter.
• now ye have delivered: (וְהִצַּלְתֶּם - v'hittsaltem) The verb means "to deliver," "to save," or "to rescue." It highlights the positive consequence of the Transjordan tribes' integrity and explanation. They effectively rescued the entire nation.
• the children of Israel: (אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - 'et-bene Yisrael) The rescue was for the entire community, emphasizing corporate responsibility and salvation from collective punishment.
• out of the hand of the LORD: (מִיַּד יְהוָה - miyad YHWH) "Hand of the LORD" often symbolizes His power or authority. Here, it specifically refers to His punishing power, His wrath or judgment. The tribes were delivered from God's retributive action that would have afflicted them had the "trespass" indeed been committed. This confirms the initial fears were legitimate, but also that divine wrath was successfully averted.

Words-group analysis:

• "Phinehas... perceive that the LORD is among us... ye have not committed this trespass... against the LORD: now ye have delivered... out of the hand of the LORD." This entire statement highlights the priestly function of discerning God's will and truth, acknowledging a deliverance from imminent divine judgment, and confirming the continuation of God's covenantal presence due to the prevention of corporate sin. It reveals that the correct understanding of intentions directly impacts God's active involvement, blessing, or judgment in their midst.
• "This day we perceive... because ye have not committed this trespass... ye have delivered... out of the hand of the LORD." This sequence perfectly illustrates how human action (or inaction in the case of preventing trespass) directly correlates with the experience of divine presence and averted judgment. The clarity of communication brought discernment, which then brought deliverance.

Joshua 22 31 Bonus section

• Averted Civil War and Covenant Fulfillment: This episode goes beyond simply avoiding an initial religious transgression; it prevented an all-out civil war among God's people. Such internal conflict would have significantly hindered or even undermined their covenantal purpose as a holy nation dwelling among pagan lands. Their unity (אֶחָד - echad, 'one') was crucial for reflecting God's unique identity.
• Anti-Pagan Polemic: The immediate assumption by the western tribes was that the altar was for worshiping "other gods" or establishing a rival religious system, similar to pagan practices. The successful clarification firmly rebutted such idolatrous tendencies, implicitly condemning polytheism and affirming the singularity of YHWH worship, a continuous struggle for Israel. The integrity of the worship site (the central sanctuary) was paramount.
• Foreknowledge and Precaution: The Transjordan tribes' wisdom in building a memorial to their shared heritage, precisely because they foresaw a future where their geographical separation might lead to spiritual separation, shows foresight and concern for future generations' covenant faithfulness. Their explanation in Josh 22:24-28 shows they preemptively considered the long-term spiritual welfare of their children.
• Phinehas's Legacy: This incident further solidifies Phinehas's reputation as a vigilant guardian of Israel's spiritual purity and God's honor, complementing his earlier, more dramatic action at Baal-Peor (Num 25). He exemplifies righteous zeal guided by discernment and justice rather than blind wrath.
• Practical Application for Today: The resolution highlights the danger of miscommunication and assumptions, especially in matters of faith. It encourages open dialogue, careful investigation of motives, and seeking reconciliation to maintain unity within the body of believers, rather than reacting quickly to perceived offenses. It reminds believers that discernment of truth keeps them "out of the hand of the Lord" in a sense, as unaddressed sin hinders fellowship and blessings.

Joshua 22 31 Commentary

Joshua 22:31 serves as a profound affirmation of God's dwelling presence contingent on His people's faithfulness and unity. Phinehas's declaration encapsulates the collective relief and spiritual insight gained when Israel, initially poised for destructive conflict due to misunderstanding, arrived at truth through communication and discernment. The perceived threat of "ma'al" – a grievous trespass against God Himself – carried the specter of divine judgment that had previously devastated Israel (Achan in Josh 7; Baal-Peor in Num 25). Phinehas, acting as God's representative, understood that if God's presence were to remain, such trespass had to be decisively addressed or, as in this case, proved nonexistent. The sigh of relief is audible in "the LORD is among us," signifying that their covenant standing remained intact and the severe divine hand of judgment had been withheld. This incident underlines several vital truths: the critical importance of clarifying accusations before acting; the corporate nature of sin and divine judgment in the Old Covenant; the essential role of God's presence for Israel's identity and blessing; and the priestly function in upholding divine law and promoting reconciliation. It also offers a model for addressing conflict within God's people: assuming the best, investigating thoroughly, and valuing truth and unity above impulsive retribution. This peaceful resolution preserved the solidarity of the tribes, crucial for their national existence under God's rule.