Joshua 22:5-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 22:1-9

The war being ended, and ended gloriously, Joshua, as a prudent general, disbands his army, who never designed to make war their trade, and sends them home, to enjoy what they had conquered, and to beat their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning-hooks; and particularly the forces of these separate tribes, who had received their inheritance on the other side Jordan from Moses upon this condition, that their men of war should assist the other tribes in the conquest of Canaan,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:5

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law ,.... The ten commandments, and all other laws, both ceremonial and civil: which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you ; in the name of the Lord, to keep and observe: to love the Lord your God ; of which keeping the commands of God is an evidence, and which is the true principle and motive of hearty, sincere, and cheerful obedience to them: and to walk in all his ways ; which he has prescribed, all his ways of worship,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:6

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away ,.... Dismissed them from his presence with a blessing, in order to go to their own country; this he did by wishing them well, praying to God for a blessing on them, their persons, and families, who had been so useful in assisting their brethren to get possession of the land of Canaan. Some think this blessing includes gifts and presents he bestowed on them: and they went unto their tents ; here the word means their military tents in the camp of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 , 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 22:8

And he spake unto them ,.... To the half tribe of Manasseh only, though some think also to the other ten tribes: saying, return with much riches unto your tents ; that is, return to their own land, and habitations there, with whatsoever riches they had got from the spoil of the enemy: and with very much cattle ; they had taken from them, and fell to their share, and for which they had good pasturage in Gilead and Bashan, and therefore very proper to take with them: with silver and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 22:5

But take diligent heed , etc. - Let us examine the force of this excellent advice; they must ever consider that their prosperity and continued possession of the land depended on their fidelity and obedience to God; to this they must take diligent heed. Do the commandment - They must pay the strictest regard to every moral precept. And the law - They must observe all the rites and ceremonies of their holy religion. Love the Lord your God - Without an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 22:7

Then he blessed them - Spoke respectfully of their fidelity and exertions, wished them every spiritual and temporal good, prayed to God to protect and save them, and probably gave some gifts to those leaders among them that had most distinguished themselves in this seven years' war. In all the above senses the word bless is frequently taken in Scripture. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 22:8

Return with much riches - It appears they had their full proportion of the spoils that were taken from the Canaanites, and that these spoils consisted in cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron, and raiment. Divide the spoil - with your brethren - It was right that those who stayed at home to defend the families of those who had been in the wars, and to cultivate the ground, should have a proper proportion of the spoils taken from the enemy, for had they not acted as they did... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 22:5

Verse 5 5.But take diligent heed, etc He thus releases and frees them from temporary service, that he may bind them for ever to the authority of the one true God. He therefore permits them to return home, but on the condition that wherever they may be they are to be the soldiers of God; and he at the same time prescribes the mode, namely, the observance of his Law. But since such is the vanity and inconstancy of the human mind, that religion easily fades away from the heart, while carelessness... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 22:8

Verse 8 8.Return with much riches, etc As it was formerly seen that the greater part of the two tribes were left in their territories beyond the Jordan, when the others passed over to carry on the war, it was fair that, as they had lived in case with their families, or been only occupied with domestic concerns, they should be contented with their own livelihood and the produce of their own labor. And they certainly could not, without dishonesty, have demanded that any part of the booty and... read more

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