King James Version

What Does Joshua 22:8 Mean?

Joshua 22:8 in the King James Version says “And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and wit...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 22:8 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

10

And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.

Read Joshua 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Joshua's final instruction concerns the division of war spoils. The repeated emphasis "much riches...very much cattle...very much raiment" (rav and harbeh me'od, רַב and הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד) stresses abundance—God blessed their obedience materially. The specific mention of metals—silver, gold, brass (nechoshet, נְחֹשֶׁת, likely bronze), and iron—indicates valuable war plunder from conquered cities. Iron was particularly precious in the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age transition, making these spoils economically significant.

The command "divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren" (chalequ shalal oyveichem im acheichem, חַלְקוּ שְׁלַל אֹיְבֵיכֶם עִם אֲחֵיכֶם) reveals a crucial principle: those who fought must share with those who stayed behind. This mirrors David's later law in 1 Samuel 30:24: "As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike." The Transjordan men must share spoils with their brothers who remained east—both those who guarded families and those who could not fight.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare primarily aimed at plunder—livestock, precious metals, cloth, weapons, and sometimes captives. The defeated Canaanite city-states possessed wealth accumulated through strategic location on trade routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Deuteronomy 20:14 permitted Israel to take spoils from distant cities, though devoted cities like Jericho required total destruction of goods (Joshua 6:17-19). The Transjordan warriors accumulated seven years of plunder—an enormous fortune. The requirement to share with non-combatants prevented resentment between those who fought and those who stayed, maintained economic equity, and acknowledged that guarding families and territory was also essential service. This principle of equitable distribution prevented the emergence of a wealthy warrior class and maintained tribal cohesion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you handle material blessing that comes through your service—with generosity toward others who supported you, or with possessive individualism?
  2. What does equitable sharing of 'spoils' look like in modern contexts—recognizing and compensating support workers, administrative staff, or those in less visible roles?
  3. How does this command challenge prosperity theology that treats blessing as individual reward rather than corporate provision to be shared?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
לֵאמֹ֗ר1 of 23

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֗ר3 of 23

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּנְכָסִ֨ים4 of 23

“riches”

H5233

treasure

רַב5 of 23

“much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

שׁ֤וּבוּ6 of 23

“Return”

H7725

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

אֶל7 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָֽהֳלֵיכֶם֙8 of 23

“unto your tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וּבְמִקְנֶ֣ה9 of 23

“cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

רַב10 of 23

“much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מְאֹ֑ד11 of 23

“and with very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

בְּכֶ֨סֶף12 of 23

“with silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּבְזָהָ֜ב13 of 23

“and with gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וּבִנְחֹ֧שֶׁת14 of 23

“and with brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

וּבְבַרְזֶ֛ל15 of 23

“and with iron”

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

וּבִשְׂלָמ֖וֹת16 of 23

“raiment”

H8008

a dress

הַרְבֵּ֣ה17 of 23

“much”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

מְאֹ֑ד18 of 23

“and with very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

חִלְק֥וּ19 of 23

“divide”

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

שְׁלַל20 of 23

“the spoil”

H7998

booty

אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֖ם21 of 23

“of your enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

עִם22 of 23
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲחֵיכֶֽם׃23 of 23

“with your brethren”

H251

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

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 22:8 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 22:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 31:271 Samuel 30:24Proverbs 3:16Deuteronomy 8:17-18Deuteronomy 8:9-14Hebrews 11:26

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