King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:4 Mean?

Joshua 22:4 in the King James Version says “And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.”

Joshua 22:4 · KJV

Context

2

And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:

3

Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

4

And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.

5

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

6

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.

Read Joshua 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.

The word "rest" (heniach, הֵנִיחַ) comes from nuach (נוּחַ), meaning to settle, be quiet, or cease from warfare. This rest fulfills God's explicit promise in Deuteronomy 3:20: "Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren." The conquest phase is complete enough that the condition for their release is met. This "rest" is partial—localized peace allowing settlement, not the permanent eschatological rest Hebrews 4 describes. Yet it represents substantial fulfillment of covenant promises.

The phrase "therefore now return" (ve'atah shuvu, וְעַתָּה שׁוּבוּ) uses shuv (שׁוּב), the rich Hebrew word meaning to turn back, return, or restore. Their return isn't retreat or abandonment but rightful inheritance of what God promised. "Get you unto your tents" refers to their family dwellings—after years of military tents, they can return to domestic life. The phrase "land of your possession" (eretz achuzatkhem, אֶרֶץ אֲחֻזַּתְכֶם) uses achuzah (אֲחֻזָּה), meaning inherited property or permanent holding—not temporary residence but ancestral inheritance for their descendants.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The timing of this dismissal corresponds to Joshua 14:10, which indicates approximately seven years elapsed since Kadesh Barnea. The major Canaanite coalitions were defeated (southern campaign Joshua 10; northern campaign Joshua 11), though mopping-up operations would continue (Joshua 13:1-7 notes much land remained unconquered). The strategic military victory allowed tribal settlement even while localized conflicts continued. The Transjordan territory—conquered from Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan (Numbers 21:21-35)—was already developed with existing cities and agricultural infrastructure. Unlike western Canaan requiring clearance and settlement, the eastern territory was ready for immediate occupation. The dismissal occurred from Shiloh, where the tabernacle was established (Joshua 18:1), approximately 20 miles north of Jerusalem and 40 miles from the Jordan River.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern when God has brought sufficient 'rest' to move from one season of service to the next He's prepared for you?
  2. What possessions or callings that God has given you are you neglecting while pursuing obligations that He's already fulfilled?
  3. How does understanding 'rest' as God-given (not self-achieved) change your approach to work-life balance and the transition between ministry seasons?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הֵנִ֨יחַ2 of 24

“hath given rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 24

“And now the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙4 of 24

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לַֽאֲחֵיכֶ֔ם5 of 24

“unto your brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר6 of 24
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֣ר7 of 24

“as he promised”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לָהֶ֑ם8 of 24
H0
וְעַתָּ֡ה9 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

פְּנוּ֩10 of 24

“them therefore now return”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וּלְכ֨וּ11 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לָכֶ֜ם12 of 24
H0
לְאָֽהֳלֵיכֶ֗ם13 of 24

“you unto your tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

אֶל14 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֙רֶץ֙15 of 24

“and unto the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲחֻזַּתְכֶ֔ם16 of 24

“of your possession”

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀17 of 24
H834

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

נָתַ֣ן18 of 24

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶ֗ם19 of 24
H0
מֹשֶׁה֙20 of 24

“which Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֶ֣בֶד21 of 24

“the servant”

H5650

a servant

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 24

“And now the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּעֵ֖בֶר23 of 24

“you on the other side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃24 of 24

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

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 22:4 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 22:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 13:8Numbers 32:18Deuteronomy 3:20Joshua 13:15-14:5Deuteronomy 3:1-17Joshua 21:43-44

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 22 →

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