King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:31 Mean?

Joshua 22:31 in the King James Version says “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the chil... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD. now: Heb. then

Joshua 22:31 · KJV


Context

29

God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.

30

And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them. pleased: Heb. was good in their eyes

31

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD. now: Heb. then

32

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

33

And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us—Crisis averted! The phrase we perceive (yadanu, יָדַעְנוּ, 'we know/recognize') indicates certainty gained through investigation. Because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD—their faithfulness saved Israel from judgment.

Their explanation satisfied the delegation. Faithful communication prevents division. The eastern tribes' witness-altar honored God rather than rivaling Him. Misunderstanding resolved through dialogue demonstrates covenant love. Paul urges 'endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit' (Ephesians 4:3)—requiring patience, listening, and grace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Phinehas, Eleazar's son, inherited his father's zeal for God's honor (Numbers 25:7-13). His leadership in this delegation prevented civil war. This incident occurred shortly after conquest, when national unity was fragile. The peaceful resolution strengthened tribal bonds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you pursue understanding and dialogue when suspicious of others' motives?
  2. What does Phinehas' leadership teach about balancing zeal for truth with patience for explanation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 32

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פִּֽינְחָ֣ס2 of 32

And Phinehas

H6372

pinechas, the name of three israelites

בְּנֵ֥י3 of 32

and to the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֶלְעָזָ֣ר4 of 32

of Eleazar

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֡ן5 of 32

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶל6 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י7 of 32

and to the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רְאוּבֵ֨ן8 of 32

of Reuben

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

וְאֶל9 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י10 of 32

and to the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

גָ֜ד11 of 32

of Gad

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

וְאֶל12 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י13 of 32

and to the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה14 of 32

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

הַיּ֤וֹם׀15 of 32

This day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יָדַ֙עְנוּ֙16 of 32

we perceive

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי17 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְתוֹכֵ֣נוּ18 of 32

is among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 32

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֛ר20 of 32
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא21 of 32
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מְעַלְתֶּ֥ם22 of 32

us because ye have not committed

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

יְהוָֽה׃23 of 32

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַמַּ֣עַל24 of 32

this trespass

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

הַזֶּ֑ה25 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אָ֗ז26 of 32

now

H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

הִצַּלְתֶּ֛ם27 of 32

ye have delivered

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶת28 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֥י29 of 32

and to the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל30 of 32

of Israel

H3478

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

מִיַּ֥ד31 of 32

out of the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָֽה׃32 of 32

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


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 22:31 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 22:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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