Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 22:7
Now to the [one] half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [possession] in Bashan: but unto the [other] half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
7. Now to the one half ] The repetition here of what has been already described more fully (Jos 17:5, &c.), may seem to us superfluous. But “it agrees with the fulness, abundant in repetitions, of the ancient Hebrew style of narrative.” Keil. “A modern author will refer his readers to what he has stated elsewhere. The Jewish historian scarcely ever quotes or reminds, but repeats so much as may be necessary to make his account of the transaction in hand fully intelligible by itself.” The Speaker’s Commentary, in loc.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The insertion of this explanation about the half tribe, and the repetition of Joshuas farewell, are examples of a marked characteristic of very ancient writers and of Hebrew writers as much as any – that of giving a completeness and finish to each section of their story. The Jewish historian scarcely ever quotes or reminds, but repeats so much as may be necessary to make his account of the transaction in hand fully intelligible by itself. (Compare also Jos 13:14, Jos 13:33; Jos 14:3; Jos 18:7.) It is quite possible, however, that the particulars special to Jos 22:8, may be due to some other narrative of the whole event than that to which Jos 22:5 belongs, and may have been interwoven by a later reviser.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Then he blessed them] Spoke respectfully of their fidelity and exertions, wished them every spiritual and temporal good, prayed to God to protect and save them, and probably gave some gifts to those leaders among them that had most distinguished themselves in this seven years’ war. In all the above senses the word bless is frequently taken in Scripture.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Now to the [one] half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [possession] in Bashan,…. The kingdom of Og, see De 3:13;
but unto the [other] half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward: of which an account is given, and the border of their lot described, Jos 17:1;
and when Joshua sent them also unto their tents, then he blessed them; it seems as if this half tribe was separately dismissed and blessed, they being more nearly related to Joshua, who was of the tribe of Ephraim, and so had a more particular dismission and blessing; and he took his leave of them in a different and affectionate manner. Kimchi makes mention of a Derash, or Exposition of theirs, which says, that after they had taken leave they stayed two days, and returned and took leave a second time, and which he understands of them all, and not of the half tribe only; but it is plainly the half tribe that is only spoken of.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Returning Home, vs. 7-10
The division of the tribe of Manasseh, with one part receiving possession in Canaan and the other in the lands east of Jordan is mentioned in the beginning. Those in the east are now leaving with the two full tribes of Reuben and Gad.
The substance of Joshua’s blessing of them is given in verse 8. The mention of very much riches, consisting of cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron, and raiment, shows that the Israelite soldiers profited handsomely by the conquest of the Canaanite people.
An immense amount of wealth had been received by them, and Joshua’s blessing on it shows the Lord’s will in it. Joshua also admonished them to divide this rich spoil with their brethren who had not come to war with them. This would include the older men left behind and those who were too young when the campaign began.
Their point of departure was Shiloh, where the tabernacle had been set up. These departing men must have felt that they were about to isolate themselves from most of Israel and the tabernacle, and perhaps it was a matter of discussion as they went on their way.
This is indicated by the fact that they stopped at the Jordan, on the Canaan side of the river, and built a large altar which all who came by would see without fail.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(7, 8) Joshua blesses the half tribe of Manasseh that dwelt on the west of Jordan.
(7) When Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them.It is noteworthy that of all the tribes of Israel who followed Joshua, and remained with him, this half tribe alone is mentioned as receiving a special blessing. We cannot fail to observe that both in ancient times, and also among ourselves, the conduct of the two and a half tribes in choosing their inheritance on the east of Jordan has been regarded as laying them open to some blame. Historically, this is incorrect. God delivered the land of Sihon and Og to Israel; some one must inherit it. Again, the true eastern boundary of Palestine is not the Jordan, but the mountain range of Gilead, which parts it from the desert that lies beyond. Really the two and a half tribes were as much in Palestine as the rest, only their position does not take advantage of that wonderful miracle by which Jordan was driven back, and the Israelites were enabled to strike at the heart of their Canaanitish foes. They themselves, however, were compelled to cross the Jordan before they could obtain the nest which they seemed to have won before they crossed itthat they without us should not be made perfect. In the spiritual world these two and a half tribes answer to the people who received their inheritance from Moses (i.e., from the law); the others are those who received nothing until they followed Joshua, i.e., the Captain of salvation, Jesus Christ, who gives rest to all. When He came, His own people were divided, like the tribe of Manasseh. Some could not forsake Moses, a sacrifice which they thought He required of them; some gave up all, and followed Him. Forgetting (Heb., Mnshehi.e., Manasseh) the things that were behind, and reaching forth unto the things before, they would take nothing but what He gave. These are they who receive special blessing from Him. (See Names on the Gates of PearlManasseh, p. 165, &c.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Bashan See Jos 2:10, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ Now to the one half tribe of Manasseh Moses had given inheritance in Bashan, but to the other half gave Joshua an inheritance among their brothers in Beyond Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them, and spoke to them, saying, “Return with much wealth to your tents and with a great deal of cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with bronze, and with iron, and with a great deal of clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers.’
Jos 22:7 a is really a parenthesis reminding the listeners of the twofold nature of Manasseh, in view of the strange nature of the split tribe, a reminder required when the account would be read in instalments. Then Jos 22:6 continues in Jos 22:7 b, for all the Transjordan tribes would share the spoil. The spoils were defined first in terms of cattle, the most important of all to such people, then in terms of valuable metals, and finally in terms of clothing.
“Return — to your tents.” Here the phrase unquestionably means ‘return home’.
“Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers.” This means that the men returning home should share the spoils with the fellow tribespeople who had remained to settle into the land, the older men and the families. It is unlikely that we are to see it as telling the half tribe of Manasseh to share their spoil with Reuben and Gad, or with the other half of the tribe, for no reason is given as to why the half tribe should be treated as distributors, while we do expect all the Transjordan tribes to receive spoil, and the comment about Manasseh reads like a parenthesis.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 7. Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given, &c. These words seem to be here inserted, 1. Merely by way of parenthesis, and as it were to bring back to the reader’s view the present state of the tribe of Manasseh settled as well as the other on this side of the Jordan. 2. It may be a kind of introduction to what follows; namely, Joshua’s blessing the children of Manasseh; for, from the manner in which the whole is worded, one would think that he blessed them separately.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jos 22:7 Now to the [one] half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given [possession] in Bashan: but unto the [other] half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
Ver. 7. Then he blessed them. ] See Jos 22:6 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 22:7-9
7 Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua gave a possession among their brothers westward beyond the Jordan. So when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them, 8and said to them, Return to your tents with great riches and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and with very many clothes; divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers. 9The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home and departed from the sons of Israel at Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession which they had possessed, according to the command of the LORD through Moses.
Jos 22:7 but to the other half Joshua gave a possession among their brothers westward beyond Jordan See Jos 17:1-13.
Jos 22:8 This shows three of the four ancient sources of wealth: (1) livestock; (2) weights of precious metals; and (3) clothing. The one source that is not specifically mentioned here is foodstuffs, but it is implied in the term wealth (BDB 647). The eastern tribes received part of the spoils of the defeated cities in Canaan.
divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers We know that not all of the men of war crossed the Jordan with the rest of the tribes. Possibly during these months or years the men of war exchanged positions; that is, those who were home would go to war and those at war would go home. So the final division of the spoils (divide, BDB 323, KB 322, Qal IMPERATIVE) of the Canaanites was not done until all the men of war returned home.
Jos 22:9 the sons of Israel at Shiloh Gilgal was the first special site in the Promised Land, but later the tabernacle was moved to Shiloh.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Jos 13:29-31, Jos 17:1-12
Reciprocal: Gen 28:1 – blessed Deu 1:1 – on this Deu 3:15 – Machir Jos 9:1 – on this Jos 22:6 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 22:7. Then he blessed them Not only prayed for them as a friend, but blessed them as a father, in the name of the Lord, recommending them, their families, and affairs to the grace of God. It seems probable, from the manner in which this is stated, that this his blessing was peculiarly and separately given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. He was somewhat more nearly related to them than to the other two, as being an Ephraimite, and perhaps they might be more reluctant to depart than the others, as they were leaving one half of their own tribe behind them, and therefore might have more need than the others of the comfort and encouragement of his blessing.