Bible Strands
Joshua 22:9
So the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in the land of Canaan to return to their own land of Gilead, which they had acquired according to the command of the LORD through Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text records the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh departing from the Israelite camp at Shiloh in Canaan. This movement occurs immediately after Joshua's dismissal and blessing, marking the conclusion of the conquest narrative's territorial distribution.
The words — וַ/יָּ֣שֻׁ֣בוּ (va/i.ya.Shu.vu) translates as "and they returned," and וַ/יֵּלְכ֡וּ (va/i.ye.le.Khu) means "and they went." These consecutive verbs document the physical relocation of the tribal descendants back across the Jordan.
The thread — The acquisition of Gilead is traced to Moses' earlier command in Numbers 32:1 and 32:29. The allocation of Transjordan cities for their families and livestock is noted in Numbers 32:26.
Why it lands — The verse states that the tribes left Canaan to settle in Gilead precisely because they had received it by divine command. It requires the reader to observe that obedience to prior territorial assignments dictates physical movement, not personal preference.
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
King James Version
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
Cross-references
- Numbers 32:26 Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our animals will remain here in the cities of Gilead.
- Numbers 32:29 And Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites cross the Jordan with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you are to give them the land of Gilead as a possession.
- Numbers 32:1 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.
- Numbers 32:39 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there.
- Deuteronomy 3:15 To Machir I gave Gilead,
- Joshua 13:11 also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all of Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah—
- Joshua 13:25 The territory of Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites as far as Aroer, near Rabbah;
- Joshua 13:31 half of Gilead; and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan. All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, that is, half of the descendants of Machir.
- Psalms 60:7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.