And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.

JOSHUA 22:31KJV
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Joshua 22:31 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:31 mean?

Joshua 22:31 records Phinehas, the priest, telling the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh that he now knows the LORD is truly with Israel, because they have not committed a serious sin against God; instead, their actions have protected all Israel from God's anger. Phinehas affirms that the unity and safety of Israel are preserved because these tribes have remained faithful.

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, is speaking to the tribes who live east of the Jordan River. Earlier, there was suspicion that these tribes had built an altar in rebellion against God, which could have brought disaster on all Israel. After investigating, Phinehas realizes their intentions were pure, and he declares that God’s presence is still with the people, since no unfaithfulness has occurred.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:31

  • "trespass" (מַעַל, ma‘al) means a serious act of unfaithfulness or betrayal, especially against God. Phinehas uses this word to highlight that the eastern tribes have not broken faith with the LORD, which was the central concern.
  • "delivered" (נָצַל, natsal) carries the sense of being rescued or saved from danger. Here, Phinehas says the tribes have saved Israel from being under God’s judgment by not sinning.
  • "among" (בְּתוֹךְ, betokh) means "in the midst of" or "among." Phinehas is saying that God’s presence is still in the community, a sign of continued blessing and unity.

Why Joshua 22:31 matters

  • This verse clears up a major misunderstanding: the other tribes feared that Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had rebelled against God, but Phinehas confirms their innocence.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which Israel treated faithfulness to God, showing how one group's actions could affect the whole nation.
  • Joshua 22:31 is a turning point in the chapter, shifting the story from potential conflict to restored trust and unity among all the tribes of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“now” Hebrew H227 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • 1 Kings 9:11 ( Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

“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.

“trespass” Hebrew H4604 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • Joshua 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
  • Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

“committed” Hebrew H4603 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 5:25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
  • Ezra 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.