King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:32 Mean?

Joshua 22:32 in the King James Version says “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 22:32 · KJV


Context

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.

34

And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God. Ed: that is, A witness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The delegation returns with good news. Brought them word again (heshivu otam davar, הֵשִׁיבוּ אוֹתָם דָּבָר) means 'returned to them a report.' They faithfully communicated what they learned.

Messengers bear responsibility for accurate reporting. Phinehas didn't exaggerate or minimize—he reported truthfully. This models Christian witness: we must testify accurately about what we've seen and heard (Acts 4:20, 1 John 1:1-3). False reporting causes unnecessary division; truth promotes unity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The delegation's return journey from Gilead to Shiloh took several days. Their report to the assembled tribes prevented mobilization for war. This demonstrates ancient Israel's democratic process—major decisions required tribal consensus, not merely leadership decree.

Reflection Questions

  1. How careful are you to report accurately rather than according to your biases or assumptions?
  2. What role does faithful testimony play in maintaining unity within God's people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ1 of 23

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

פִּֽינְחָ֣ס2 of 23

And Phinehas

H6372

pinechas, the name of three israelites

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 23

and from 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 23

of Eleazar

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀5 of 23

the priest

H3548

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

וְהַנְּשִׂיאִ֡ים6 of 23

and the princes

H5387

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

מֵאֵ֣ת7 of 23
H853

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

בְּנֵ֣י8 of 23

and from 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

רְאוּבֵן֩9 of 23

of Reuben

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

וּמֵאֵ֨ת10 of 23
H853

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

בְּנֵ֣י11 of 23

and from 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

גָ֜ד12 of 23

of Gad

H1410

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

אֶ֥רֶץ13 of 23

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַגִּלְעָ֛ד14 of 23

of Gilead

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

אֶל15 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֥רֶץ16 of 23

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֖עַן17 of 23

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

אֶל18 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י19 of 23

and from 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל20 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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

וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ21 of 23

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אוֹתָ֖ם22 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

דָּבָֽר׃23 of 23

them word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause


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 22:32 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 22:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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