And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

JOSHUA 22:13KJV
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Joshua 22:13 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:13 mean?

Joshua 22:13 describes how the Israelites sent Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, along with a delegation to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead. This action was taken because these tribes were living east of the Jordan River, separate from the rest of Israel, and there was concern about their relationship with the larger community.

The verse is set after the Israelites had settled in the Promised Land. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had been given land on the east side of the Jordan, but now there was a potential conflict because of something these tribes had done. The leaders sent Phinehas, a respected priest, as their representative to address the issue and maintain unity among all the tribes.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:13

  • פִּינְחָס (Phinehas): This name refers to the son of Eleazar the priest, who is known elsewhere in the Bible for his zeal and leadership. His involvement signals the seriousness of the situation.
  • שָׁלַח (shalach, "sent"): This verb emphasizes an official mission or delegation, not just a casual visit. The Israelites are taking formal steps to address a potential problem.
  • גִּלְעָד (Gilead): This is the region east of the Jordan River where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settled. Naming the land highlights the physical and symbolic distance between these tribes and the rest of Israel.

Why Joshua 22:13 matters

  • Joshua 22:13 shows the importance the Israelites placed on unity and communication among the tribes, especially when misunderstandings or tensions arose.
  • The verse introduces Phinehas as a mediator, which signals that the issue at hand is both religious and communal, not just a political disagreement.
  • This verse sets the stage for the following events, where the motives and actions of the eastern tribes are questioned and clarified, helping prevent a potential civil conflict.

Where else these words appear

“Phinehas” Hebrew H6372 · used in 24 verses

  • Exodus 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
  • Joshua 24:33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

“Gad” Hebrew H1410 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 2 Samuel 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

“Reuben” Hebrew H7205 · used in 68 verses

  • Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
  • Numbers 13:4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
  • Joshua 21:36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.