This verse from Joshua 22:6 is a simple statement of the final dismissal of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh after they helped their Israelite brethren conquer the Promised Land. Let's break it down:
"So Joshua blessed them...": Joshua, as the leader of the Israelites, gave these tribes a blessing. A blessing in this context would have been a prayer or pronouncement of good wishes, asking for God's favor upon them. It was a way of acknowledging their contribution and wishing them well on their return journey.
"...and sent them away...": This indicates that Joshua formally released them from their commitment to fight alongside the rest of Israel. Their military service was complete.
"...and they went to their tents.": This signifies their return to their homes and families. These tribes had been living and fighting with the rest of Israel during the conquest, but their inheritance was on the eastern side of the Jordan River. "Tents" is often used metaphorically for homes even if they lived in more permanent structures. It signifies a return to domestic life and their own lands.
In summary, the verse means that Joshua, with his authority, blessed the two and a half tribes who had faithfully helped the rest of Israel in their conquest of Canaan, formally dismissed them from their military service, and they returned home to their families and lands east of the Jordan River.
Significance/Context:
This verse is the culmination of a significant promise and a period of unity. The tribes east of the Jordan had promised to help their brethren conquer the land before returning to their own territory. They kept their promise. This verse marks the end of that period of shared purpose and the return to separate, yet still unified, tribal lives. It highlights:
Faithfulness to promises: They fulfilled their agreement.
Gratitude and acknowledgment: Joshua's blessing acknowledges their contribution.
Peaceful resolution: The dismissal is amicable and orderly.
The fulfillment of God's plan: Each tribe is now able to settle in their divinely appointed inheritance.
The following verses and chapter show that despite this peaceful parting, there were challenges to maintaining unity and avoiding misunderstandings between the tribes east and west of the Jordan.
This verse from Joshua 22:6 is a simple statement of the final dismissal of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh after they helped their Israelite brethren conquer the Promised Land. Let's break it down:
"So Joshua blessed them...": Joshua, as the leader of the Israelites, gave these tribes a blessing. A blessing in this context would have been a prayer or pronouncement of good wishes, asking for God's favor upon them. It was a way of acknowledging their contribution and wishing them well on their return journey.
"...and sent them away...": This indicates that Joshua formally released them from their commitment to fight alongside the rest of Israel. Their military service was complete.
"...and they went to their tents.": This signifies their return to their homes and families. These tribes had been living and fighting with the rest of Israel during the conquest, but their inheritance was on the eastern side of the Jordan River. "Tents" is often used metaphorically for homes even if they lived in more permanent structures. It signifies a return to domestic life and their own lands.
In summary, the verse means that Joshua, with his authority, blessed the two and a half tribes who had faithfully helped the rest of Israel in their conquest of Canaan, formally dismissed them from their military service, and they returned home to their families and lands east of the Jordan River.
Significance/Context:
This verse is the culmination of a significant promise and a period of unity. The tribes east of the Jordan had promised to help their brethren conquer the land before returning to their own territory. They kept their promise. This verse marks the end of that period of shared purpose and the return to separate, yet still unified, tribal lives. It highlights:
Faithfulness to promises: They fulfilled their agreement.
Gratitude and acknowledgment: Joshua's blessing acknowledges their contribution.
Peaceful resolution: The dismissal is amicable and orderly.
The fulfillment of God's plan: Each tribe is now able to settle in their divinely appointed inheritance.
The following verses and chapter show that despite this peaceful parting, there were challenges to maintaining unity and avoiding misunderstandings between the tribes east and west of the Jordan.