King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:14 Mean?

Joshua 22:14 in the King James Version says “And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. chief: Heb. house of the father

Joshua 22:14 · KJV


Context

12

And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.

13

And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

14

And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. chief: Heb. house of the father

15

And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,

16

Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel—This delegation represents the highest level of covenant diplomacy. The Hebrew word for prince (נָשִׂיא, nasi) denotes a tribal leader or chieftain, emphasizing the gravity of the accusation. Phinehas the priest led ten tribal representatives, one from each of the nine and a half western tribes, creating a comprehensive witness (Deuteronomy 19:15 requires two or three witnesses, but this delegation far exceeds that standard).

Each one was an head of the house of their fathers—The term for "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh) indicates these were not minor officials but patriarchal leaders representing thousands of families. This high-level delegation demonstrates how seriously Israel treated potential covenant violations—they sent their best to investigate before rushing to civil war.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This incident occurred around 1400 BC, shortly after the conquest of Canaan. The tribal confederation was still fragile, and memories of divine judgment (Achan, Peor) were fresh. The delegation structure mirrors Ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocol for resolving inter-tribal disputes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the composition of this delegation model proper church discipline—serious, representative, and measured rather than hasty?
  2. Why is it significant that they sent leaders rather than warriors to investigate the altar?
  3. What does this careful approach teach about confronting brothers in the faith (Matthew 18:15-17)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַֽעֲשָׂרָ֤ה1 of 19

And with him ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

נָשִׂ֤יא2 of 19

chief

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

עִמּ֔וֹ3 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

נָשִׂ֤יא4 of 19

chief

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

אֶחָד֙5 of 19

of each

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

נָשִׂ֤יא6 of 19

chief

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

אֶחָד֙7 of 19

of each

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בֵּית8 of 19

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבוֹתָ֛ם9 of 19

a prince

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לְכֹ֖ל10 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַטּ֣וֹת11 of 19

throughout all the tribes

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃12 of 19

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְאִ֨ישׁ13 of 19

and each one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

רֹ֧אשׁ14 of 19

was an head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בֵּית15 of 19

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבוֹתָ֛ם16 of 19

a prince

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הֵ֖מָּה17 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לְאַלְפֵ֥י18 of 19

among the thousands

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃19 of 19

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 22:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 22:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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