Joshua 22 33

Joshua 22:33 kjv

And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.

Joshua 22:33 nkjv

So the thing pleased the children of Israel, and the children of Israel blessed God; they spoke no more of going against them in battle, to destroy the land where the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.

Joshua 22:33 niv

They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.

Joshua 22:33 esv

And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled.

Joshua 22:33 nlt

And all the Israelites were satisfied and praised God and spoke no more of war against Reuben and Gad.

Joshua 22 verses

Joshua 22 33 Meaning

Joshua 22:33 describes the moment of profound relief and resolution after a serious misunderstanding threatened to erupt into civil war among the tribes of Israel. Upon hearing the clear explanation from the Transjordan tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) regarding the altar they built—that it was not for rebellion or idolatry but as a witness to their shared faith in Yahweh—the tribes west of the Jordan were deeply pleased. Their initial anger turned to praise and gratitude towards God for preventing such a catastrophe. Consequently, they abandoned their intent to engage in battle, thereby averting the destruction of the land and people on the eastern side of the Jordan.

Joshua 22 33 Context

Joshua 22 details a crucial moment in Israel's post-conquest history. After the successful campaigns led by Joshua, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—who had received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan—were dismissed to return home. As they departed, they built a prominent, large altar near the Jordan. When the tribes on the west side of the Jordan heard of this, they immediately concluded it was an act of apostasy and rebellion against the Lord and His one prescribed sanctuary at Shiloh (Deut 12). Fearing divine wrath upon the whole nation, similar to the Baal Peor incident (Num 25; Josh 22:17) or Achan's sin (Josh 7; Josh 22:20), they prepared for war. However, before attacking, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas, the high priest's son, to confront them. The eastern tribes earnestly explained that the altar was not for sacrifices, which belonged only at Shiloh, but as a perpetual witness ('Ed') to their children and future generations, confirming their shared faith and identity as part of Israel with access to the true sanctuary. Verse 33 describes the western tribes' profound satisfaction and relief upon receiving this truthful explanation, averting what would have been a devastating internal conflict.

Joshua 22 33 Word analysis

• And the thing pleased:

  • And: (וַיִּיטַב, vayyitaḇ) - "And it was good," "and it seemed good." Conveys immediate approval and satisfaction. This positive reaction underscores the shift from suspicion to relief.
  • the thing: (הַדָּבָר, haddāḇār) - Refers specifically to the detailed explanation and assurance given by the Transjordan tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) about the true purpose of the altar. It's the "word" or "matter" that was resolved.

• the children of Israel;:

  • the children of Israel: (beney Yisraʾel) - Refers to the tribes dwelling west of the Jordan River, specifically those who had armed themselves for war against their brethren. It highlights the unity of God's chosen people.

• and the children of Israel blessed God,:

  • and the children of Israel: (וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, uveney Yisraʾel) - Repetition emphasizes the collective, unanimous nature of their relief and response.
  • blessed God: (וַיְבָרְכוּ אֱלֹהִים, vayvarḵu ʾElohim) - Not 'blessing' God as in granting Him something, but in acknowledging His goodness, wisdom, and providence. It signifies praise, thanksgiving, and gratitude for His intervention in revealing the truth and preventing fratricidal war. They recognized God's hand in averting a national tragedy.

• and did not intend to go up against them in battle,:

  • and did not intend: (וְלֹא אָמְרוּ, wəlōʾ ʾāmərû) - Literally "and they did not say." In this context, it implies that they did not proceed with their prior intent or command to go to war. Their decision to wage war was reversed.
  • to go up against them: (לָלֶכֶת עֲלֵיהֶם, lālaḵet ʿalehem) - A common military term for advancing or attacking. It illustrates their initial, aggressive stance.
  • in battle: (בַמִּלְחָמָה, vaMMilḥāmâ) - Denotes actual warfare, a violent armed conflict. The relief is that an impending war was averted.

• to destroy the land in which the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.:

  • to destroy: (לְשַׁחֵת, lĕšaḥet) - "To corrupt," "to spoil," "to lay waste," "to ruin." This term emphasizes the immense devastation that would have resulted from internal conflict. The Hebrew suggests utter destruction, implying physical ruin and moral defilement.
  • the land: (אֶת־הָאָרֶץ, ʾet hāʾāretz) - Refers to the God-given inheritance on the eastern bank of the Jordan, the covenant land itself. Destroying it would have been a sin against God's promises and provision.
  • in which the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt: (ʾašer bāhem yəšeḇû beney Rûḇen wəGaḏ) - Specifically identifies the territories and the brethren who were threatened by war. This detail underlines the horror of kin fighting kin over a misunderstanding.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God": This double mention of "the children of Israel" receiving the explanation and then blessing God underscores the widespread relief and unified spiritual response across the tribes. Their first reaction after recognizing the truth was gratitude to God, not to the eastern tribes, signifying their theological perspective on the resolution.
• "and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land": This phrase succinctly captures the immense danger that was averted. It paints a vivid picture of the consequences of their misunderstanding—not just a skirmish, but a full-scale, devastating internal war that would have left a significant portion of the Promised Land in ruins. The word "destroy" highlights the ultimate destructive impact of disunity and hasty judgment.

Joshua 22 33 Bonus section

• This episode prevented Israel from engaging in a form of herem (utter destruction) against their own covenant brethren, a concept typically reserved for idolatrous nations that were to be driven out or annihilated (e.g., Deut 7).
• Phinehas, who had previously displayed zealous judgment against sin at Baal Peor (Num 25:7-8), here models zealous discernment and wisdom, seeking clarification before bloodshed. His actions prevented a mistaken, unrighteous application of the law, illustrating that zeal must be tempered with knowledge and love.
• The incident highlights the challenge of maintaining national and religious unity in a decentralized tribal society. The Jordan River was not just a geographical boundary but could become a symbol of separation, making the "Ed" altar vital for reinforcing their shared identity under Yahweh.
• The resolution served as a powerful reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for the unity and preservation of His people within the land He provided.

Joshua 22 33 Commentary

Joshua 22:33 marks the triumphant conclusion of a severe theological and national crisis that brought Israel to the brink of a devastating civil war. The relief expressed by the western tribes—first by their profound satisfaction with the explanation, then by their spontaneous act of blessing God—underscores the gravity of the misunderstanding and the immense value of the peace restored. Their primary act of blessing God, rather than merely commending their brethren, signifies their recognition that it was ultimately God's providence, truth, and gracious intervention that exposed the genuine intent, averted their sin of fratricide, and preserved the unity and purity of His people. This verse stands as a powerful testament to the necessity of clear communication, patient inquiry, and a readiness to believe the best in one's brethren, rather than allowing suspicion and haste to lead to tragic outcomes. It serves as an enduring lesson that divine truth, when sought and revealed, has the power to overcome discord and secure peace within God's covenant community, preserving both lives and the sacred land.