Joshua 22:32
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
again
H7725
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
5 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְהַנְּשִׂיאִ֡ים
and the princes
H5387
וְהַנְּשִׂיאִ֡ים
and the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּמֵאֵ֨ת
H853
וּמֵאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
גָ֜ד
of Gad
H1410
גָ֜ד
of Gad
Strong's:
H1410
Word #:
12 of 23
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
הַגִּלְעָ֛ד
of Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָ֛ד
of Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
14 of 23
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
כְּנַ֖עַן
of Canaan
H3667
כְּנַ֖עַן
of Canaan
Strong's:
H3667
Word #:
17 of 23
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
and from the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
19 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
20 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
again
H7725
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
21 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Historical Context
The delegation's return journey from Gilead to Shiloh took several days. Their report to the assembled tribes prevented mobilization for war. This demonstrates ancient Israel's democratic process—major decisions required tribal consensus, not merely leadership decree.
Questions for Reflection
- How careful are you to report accurately rather than according to your biases or assumptions?
- What role does faithful testimony play in maintaining unity within God's people?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again—The delegation returns with good news. Brought them word again (heshivu otam davar, הֵשִׁיבוּ אוֹתָם דָּבָר) means 'returned to them a report.' They faithfully communicated what they learned.
Messengers bear responsibility for accurate reporting. Phinehas didn't exaggerate or minimize—he reported truthfully. This models Christian witness: we must testify accurately about what we've seen and heard (Acts 4:20, 1 John 1:1-3). False reporting causes unnecessary division; truth promotes unity.