Joshua 22:22

"Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel,"

Key Reflection

This passage highlights the response of the tribes who had settled east of the Jordan River to concerns raised by the other Israelites. Their explanation underscores their commitment to both their land and their covenant responsibilities, bridging physical settlement with spiritual duty.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The repeated invocation of God, and that by His three names -אל'êl,אלהים'ĕlohı̂ym,יהוהyehovâh: comparePsalms 50:1- marks the earnestness of the protestation. The conduct of the two tribes and a half has often been noted as exemplary. They had had a grave and capital crime most unexpectedly laid to their charge, of which they were entirely innocent. Yet there is no word of reproach or recrimination in their vindication of themselves. They are contented simply to repudiate the false accusation and to explain the real motives of conduct perhaps suggested to them by a precedent set by MosesExodus 17:15.

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