Joshua 22:11

Authorized King James Version

And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁמְע֥וּ
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
לֵאמֹ֑ר
say
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
הִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#6
בָנ֣וּ
have built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#7
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
רְאוּבֵ֣ן
of Reuben
reuben, a son of jacob
#9
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
גָ֡ד
of Gad
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
#11
וַֽחֲצִי֩
and the half
the half or middle
#12
שֵׁ֨בֶט
tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#13
הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה
of Manasseh
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ
an altar
an altar
#16
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
מוּל֙
over against
properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite
#18
אֶ֣רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
כְּנַ֔עַן
of Canaan
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
#20
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#21
גְּלִילוֹת֙
in the borders
a circuit or region
#22
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן
of Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#23
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#24
עֵ֖בֶר
at the passage
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#25
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#26
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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