King James Version
Joshua 22:21 in the King James Version says “Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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,”
Joshua 22:21 · KJV
Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
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,
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;
KJV Study — Public Domain
“answered”
H6030properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
“Then the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“Then the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“tribe”
H7626a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
“of Manasseh”
H4519menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
“and said”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“unto the heads”
H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
“of the thousands”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
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.
Joshua 22:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
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