Joshua 22:21

Then the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the leaders of the clans of Israel:

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh address the leaders of Israel's clans immediately after hearing accusations of covenant unfaithfulness in Joshua 22:16–20.

The words — The verse begins with וַֽיַּעֲנוּ (wayyaʿănû), meaning "and they answered," and בְּנֵי (bənê), meaning "descendants of," which introduces the three tribal groups responding to the assembly.

The thread — The structural role of a formal response and the theme of communal accountability appear in Exodus 18:21 regarding the selection of trustworthy leaders and Proverbs 15:1 on how answers influence conflict.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to note that this response initiates the eastern tribes' defense rather than concluding it, demanding precise attention to narrative sequence before evaluating the validity of the preceding accusations.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַֽיַּעֲנוּ֙va/i.ya.'a.Nuand/ they answered בְּנֵי־be.nei-[the] descendants of רְאוּבֵ֣ןre.'u.VenReuben וּבְנֵי־u./ve.nei-and/ [the] descendants of גָ֔דGadGad וַחֲצִ֖יva./cha.Tziand/ [the] half of שֵׁ֣בֶטShe.vet[the] tribe of הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֑הha/m.na.Sheh<the>/ Manasseh וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּva/y.da.be.Ruand/ they spoke אֶת־'et-with רָאשֵׁ֖יra.Shei[the] leaders of אַלְפֵ֥י'al.Fei[the] families of יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElIsrael

King James Version

Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,

Cross-references

Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
Proverbs 24:26 An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Acts 11:4 But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events:
James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,