Joshua 22:7
(To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.) When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them,
(To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan,

To the half-tribe of Manasseh, Moses had given land in Bashan, a fertile and well-fortified region east of the Jordan formerly ruled by Og. This inheritance fulfilled the request of the eastern tribes and provided Manasseh, a descendant of Joseph, with a substantial possession before Israel crossed into Canaan.

Deu 3:13-15 To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead…
Jos 13:29-31 This is what Moses had given to the clans…

and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.)

The western half received its inheritance within Canaan alongside the other tribes, preserving Manasseh’s full place in Israel while dividing its families on both sides of the river.

Jos 17:1-6 Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh…
Jos 16:1-4 The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended…

When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them,

Joshua recognized their faithful service in helping the other tribes secure the land west of the Jordan, blessed them, and sent them home under God’s favor.

1Ki 8:66 On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away.…
2Ch 7:10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Half-Tribe of Manasseh
This tribe was unique in that it was divided, with one half receiving land in Bashan (east of the Jordan) and the other half receiving land west of the Jordan.

2. Moses
The leader who initially allocated land to the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, demonstrating his role in the early distribution of the Promised Land.

3. Joshua
The successor of Moses who continued the distribution of land, giving the other half of the tribe of Manasseh their inheritance west of the Jordan.

4. Bashan
A fertile region east of the Jordan River, known for its rich pastures and strong cities, given to the half-tribe of Manasseh by Moses.

5. Jordan River
A significant geographical boundary in Israel's history, symbolizing the division between the lands east and west of the river.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
The division of the tribe of Manasseh across the Jordan River illustrates how God's people can be united in purpose despite geographical and tribal differences. This calls for unity in the body of Christ today, transcending denominational and cultural boundaries.

Faithfulness to Promises
The allocation of land to the half-tribe of Manasseh fulfills God's promises to the patriarchs. Believers are reminded of God's faithfulness and are encouraged to trust in His promises.

Blessing and Sending
Joshua's blessing as he sends the tribes back to their tents signifies the importance of blessing others as they embark on their journeys. Christians are called to be a blessing to others in their communities and workplaces.

Obedience and Reward
The tribes' obedience in helping conquer the land before returning to their inheritance serves as a model of faithfulness and the rewards that follow. Believers are encouraged to remain obedient to God's calling.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the division of the tribe of Manasseh across the Jordan River reflect the unity and diversity within the body of Christ today?

2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises in our own lives, as seen in the allocation of land to the tribes?

3. How can we be a blessing to others in our daily interactions, following Joshua's example of blessing the tribes?

4. What are some areas in our lives where we need to demonstrate obedience to God's calling, and how can we expect to see His rewards?

5. How does the account of the half-tribe of Manasseh relate to the broader account of God's covenant with Israel, and what lessons can we draw for our covenant relationship with God through Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 32
This chapter provides the background on the request of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to settle east of the Jordan, highlighting their agreement to help their fellow Israelites conquer the land west of the Jordan before returning to their own inheritance.

Deuteronomy 3
Details Moses' allocation of land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.

Joshua 1
Joshua's charge to the tribes, including the half-tribe of Manasseh, to assist in the conquest of Canaan, reinforcing the unity and shared mission of the Israelites.
The Reubenites and GaditesE. De Pressense Joshua 22:1-9
A Supposed Wrong ExplainedT. W. M. Lund, M. A.Joshua 22:1-34
Helping One AnotherF. E. Clark.Joshua 22:1-34
Helping OthersA. Maclaren, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
MisconstructionC. Ness.Joshua 22:1-34
MisunderstandingJohn Williams, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
Obedience UnmeasuredH. G. Salter.Joshua 22:1-34
Sincere ObedienceH. G. Salter.Joshua 22:1-34
Standing by Our BrethrenLouis A. Banks, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
The Altar of TestimonyH. Christopherson.Joshua 22:1-34
The Commander's Parting ChargeAmerican Sunday School TimesJoshua 22:1-34
The Memorial AltarT. R. Stephenson, D. D.Joshua 22:1-34
The Purity and Unity of the ChurchEssex Congregational RemembrancerJoshua 22:1-34
Universal ObligationH. W. Beecher.Joshua 22:1-34
People
Achan, Eleazar, Gad, Gadites, Israelites, Joshua, Manasseh, Phinehas, Reuben, Reubenites, Zerah
Places
Bashan, Canaan, Gilead, Heshbon, Jordan River, Peor, Shiloh
Topics
Bashan, Beside, Beyond, Bless, Blessed, Blessing, Brethren, Brothers, Half, Half-tribe, Heritage, Home, Homes, Inheritance, Jordan, Joshua, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Moreover, Possession, Tents, Thereof, Tribe, West, Westward
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 22:1-34

     7266   tribes of Israel

Joshua 22:6-8

     4336   iron

Joshua 22:7-8

     4312   bronze

Library
Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Joshua 22:7 NIV
Joshua 22:7 NLT
Joshua 22:7 ESV
Joshua 22:7 NASB
Joshua 22:7 KJV

Joshua 22:7 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Joshua 22:6
Top of Page
Top of Page