King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:6 Mean?

Joshua 22:6 in the King James Version says “So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 22:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,

8

And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

Read Joshua 22 full chapter

Commentary

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

The blessing (barak, בָּרַךְ) was more than well-wishes—it invoked divine favor and prosperity on their journey and future. Ancient Near Eastern blessings carried covenantal weight, pronouncing God's goodness on those departing. Joshua, as God's appointed leader, functioned in priestly capacity, speaking God's benediction over faithful servants. The act of blessing before departure appears throughout Scripture (Genesis 24:60; Numbers 6:24-26), expressing both gratitude and intercession.

The phrase "sent them away" (shalach, שָׁלַח) means to release, dispatch, or send forth with purpose. This wasn't dismissal but commissioning to their inheritance. The repetition "and they went unto their tents" emphasizes the completion of their military obligation—they transition from warriors to settlers, from temporary military camps to permanent family dwellings. The simplicity of the statement belies the emotional weight: reunions with wives, children grown unrecognized, parents aged or deceased.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient military discharge ceremonies involved formal recognition, division of spoils, and authoritative release from obligation. Joshua's blessing established that the Transjordan tribes departed with honor, not as deserters or covenant breakers. The journey from Shiloh to Transjordan crossed the Jordan River valley and ascended the eastern highlands—approximately 40-60 miles depending on destination. After seven years of military campaigns, these men returned as veterans to families who had maintained farms, raised children, and defended settlements in their absence. The reunion would have been bittersweet—joy at return tempered by grief for casualties who fell in Canaan's conquest. Archaeological evidence from this period (Late Bronze/Early Iron I transition, c. 1400-1200 BCE) shows settlement expansion in Transjordan, consistent with biblical chronology of tribal establishment.

Reflection Questions

  1. Who in your spiritual community needs your blessing and affirmation as they transition to new seasons of service or life?
  2. How do you handle endings and transitions—with gratitude and blessing, or with unexpressed resentment or premature detachment?
  3. What does it mean to bless those you've served alongside, especially when their departure creates inconvenience or loss for you personally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֖ם1 of 6

“blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ2 of 6

“So Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֔ם3 of 6

“them and sent them away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ4 of 6
H1980

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

אֶל5 of 6
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָֽהֳלֵיהֶֽם׃6 of 6

“unto their tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

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 22:6 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 22:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 14:13Luke 24:50Exodus 39:432 Samuel 6:18Genesis 47:72 Chronicles 30:18

Test Your Knowledge

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