Joshua 22:7

7 And to the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [a possession] in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given [a possession] with their kinsmen beyond the Jordan to the west; and when Joshua sent them to their tents and blessed them,

Joshua 22:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 22:7

Now to the [one] half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given
[possession] in Bashan
The kingdom of Og, see ( Deuteronomy 3:13 ) ;

but unto the [other] half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on
this side Jordan westward:
of which an account is given, and the border of their lot described, ( Joshua 17:1-18 ) ;

and when Joshua sent them also unto their tents, then he blessed them;
it seems as if this half tribe was separately dismissed and blessed, they being more nearly related to Joshua, who was of the tribe of Ephraim, and so had a more particular dismission and blessing; and he took his leave of them in a different and affectionate manner. Kimchi makes mention of a Derash, or Exposition of theirs, which says, that after they had taken leave they stayed two days, and returned and took leave a second time, and which he understands of them all, and not of the half tribe only; but it is plainly the half tribe that is only spoken of.

Joshua 22:7 In-Context

5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and law that Moses Yahweh's servant commanded you, to love Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."

6 And Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.

7 And to the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [a possession] in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given [a possession] with their kinsmen beyond the Jordan to the west; and when Joshua sent them to their tents and blessed them,

8 he said to them, "Return to your tents with much wealth, and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, copper, iron, and with very much clothing; divide the war-booty of your enemies with your kinsmen."

9 So the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned [home] and departed with the {Israelites} at Shiloh, which [is] in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead to the land of their possession, which they had acquired {according to the command of Yahweh} through the hand of Moses.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "brothers"