Joshua 22:1

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 22:1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,Ver. 1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites.] That he might disband and dismiss them, with due commendation and remuneration, as became a noble general.

XXII. OF THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES TO THEIR ON THE EAST OF JORDAN.(1-6) Charge to the two and a half tribes by Joshua. The words of Jos 22:2-3 recall the promise of Jos 1:16, and Joshua’s charge in Joshua 22:5 recalls that which he himself had received at first (Joshua 1:7), and finds a further parallel in what he said to Israel before his death (Joshua 23, 24).

CHAPTER XXII Joshua assembles, commends, blesses, and then dismisses the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 1-8. They return and build an altar by the side of Jordan, 9, 10. The rest of the Israelites hearing of this, and suspecting that they had built the altar for idolatrous purposes, or to make a schism in the national worship, prepare to go to war with them, 11, 12; but first send a deputation to know the truth, 13, 14. They arrive and expostulate with their brethren, 15-20. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, make a noble defence, and show that their altar was built as a monument only to prevent idolatry, 21-29. The deputation are satisfied, and return to the ten tribes and make their report, 30-32. The people rejoice and praise God, 33; and the Reubenites and Gadites call the altar they had raised Ed, that it might be considered a witness between them and their brethren on the other side Jordan, 34. NOTES ON CHAP. XXII Verse 1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, c.] We have already seen that 40,000 men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to their stipulation with Moses. The war being now concluded, Joshua assembles these warriors, and with commendations for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having first given them the most pious and suitable advices. They had now been about seven years absent from their respective families and though there was only the river Jordan between the camp at Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear that they had during that time ever revisited their own home, which they might have done any time in the year, the harvest excepted, as at all other times that river was easily fordable.

Ch. Joshua 22:1-8. Joshua’s Farewell Address to the two Tribes and a Half 1. Then Joshua] The author of the section from chapters 13–21. having given his account, marked with truth and accuracy, of the division of the land, the appointment of the Cities of Refuge and the Levitical cities, describes in the three following chapters, which close the book, (a) the release of the two tribes and a half to their homes beyond the Jordan; (b) their return, and erection of an altar on the Jordan; (c) the embassy from Israel on account of this altar; (d) the apology of the eastern tribes and return of the embassy; (e) Joshua’s last discourses to the people; (f) his death; and (g) the death of Eleazar. called the Reubenites] This took place not immediately after the close of the war, but after the completion of the division of the land and the appointment of the Levitical cities, in which the Trans-Jordanic tribes had as much interest as the other tribes.

The events of this chap. are no doubt recorded in their proper historical order. The auxiliary forces of the trans-Jordanic tribes were not sent away immediately after the campaigns against the Canaanites were over.

THE TRANS- TRIBES , Joshua 22:1-9.We have seen (Joshua 1:12-15) that Joshua required these tribes to fulfil the condition on which they were permitted to receive their portions before the conquest of