Joshua 22:14
And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽעֲשָׂרָ֤ה
And with him ten
H6235
וַֽעֲשָׂרָ֤ה
And with him ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
1 of 19
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
נָשִׂ֤יא
chief
H5387
נָשִׂ֤יא
chief
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
עִמּ֔וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
נָשִׂ֤יא
chief
H5387
נָשִׂ֤יא
chief
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
נָשִׂ֤יא
chief
H5387
נָשִׂ֤יא
chief
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
בֵּית
house
H1004
בֵּית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבוֹתָ֛ם
a prince
H1
אֲבוֹתָ֛ם
a prince
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
9 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְכֹ֖ל
H3605
לְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַטּ֣וֹת
throughout all the tribes
H4294
מַטּ֣וֹת
throughout all the tribes
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
11 of 19
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאִ֨ישׁ
and each one
H376
וְאִ֨ישׁ
and each one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
רֹ֧אשׁ
was an head
H7218
רֹ֧אשׁ
was an head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
14 of 19
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בֵּית
house
H1004
בֵּית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
15 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבוֹתָ֛ם
a prince
H1
אֲבוֹתָ֛ם
a prince
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Historical Context
This incident occurred around 1400 BC, shortly after the conquest of Canaan. The tribal confederation was still fragile, and memories of divine judgment (Achan, Peor) were fresh. The delegation structure mirrors Ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocol for resolving inter-tribal disputes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the composition of this delegation model proper church discipline—serious, representative, and measured rather than hasty?
- Why is it significant that they sent leaders rather than warriors to investigate the altar?
- What does this careful approach teach about confronting brothers in the faith (Matthew 18:15-17)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel—This delegation represents the highest level of covenant diplomacy. The Hebrew word for prince (נָשִׂיא, nasi) denotes a tribal leader or chieftain, emphasizing the gravity of the accusation. Phinehas the priest led ten tribal representatives, one from each of the nine and a half western tribes, creating a comprehensive witness (Deuteronomy 19:15 requires two or three witnesses, but this delegation far exceeds that standard).
Each one was an head of the house of their fathers—The term for "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh) indicates these were not minor officials but patriarchal leaders representing thousands of families. This high-level delegation demonstrates how seriously Israel treated potential covenant violations—they sent their best to investigate before rushing to civil war.