Joshua 22:33
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּיטַ֣ב
pleased
H3190
וַיִּיטַ֣ב
pleased
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
1 of 24
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
הַדָּבָ֗ר
And the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֗ר
And the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּעֵינֵי֙
H5869
בְּעֵינֵי֙
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 24
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּבְנֵי
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 24
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 #:
5 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיְבָֽרְכ֥וּ
blessed
H1288
וַיְבָֽרְכ֥וּ
blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
6 of 24
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
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וּבְנֵי
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 24
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 #:
9 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לַֽעֲל֤וֹת
to go up
H5927
לַֽעֲל֤וֹת
to go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לַצָּבָ֔א
against them in battle
H6635
לַצָּבָ֔א
against them in battle
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
14 of 24
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
לְשַׁחֵת֙
to destroy
H7843
לְשַׁחֵת֙
to destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
15 of 24
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וּבְנֵי
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
19 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבְנֵי
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
גָ֖ד
and Gad
H1410
גָ֖ד
and Gad
Strong's:
H1410
Word #:
22 of 24
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
Cross References
1 Chronicles 29:20And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.Luke 2:28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,Daniel 2:19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.Joshua 22:30And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
Historical Context
This peaceful resolution contrasts sharply with Israel's later civil wars—the near-extermination of Benjamin (Judges 20) and the north-south split under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12). When God's people prioritize unity and seek understanding, disaster is averted. When pride and suspicion dominate, tragedy results.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you rejoice more in avoiding conflict or in 'winning' arguments?
- How does blessing God for resolved misunderstandings demonstrate spiritual maturity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God—Joy replaces suspicion! The thing pleased (yitav ba'eineihem, יִיטַב בְּעֵינֵיהֶם, 'was good in their eyes') indicates satisfaction. And did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt—they abandon war plans.
This demonstrates spiritual maturity: they rejoiced at avoiding conflict rather than disappointment at losing a battle. Some glory in strife; mature believers glory in peace (Matthew 5:9). Blessed God acknowledges His intervention—God orchestrates reconciliation. All peacemaking ultimately comes from Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).