Joshua 22:7

7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, ¹but to the other half Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to their homes 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 the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."

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

7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to their homes and blessed them,

8 he said to them, "Go back to your tents with much wealth and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, and iron, and with much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers."

9 So the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home, parting from the people of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, their own land of which they had possessed themselves by command of the LORD through Moses.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 17:5