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.

JOSHUA 22:32KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 22:32 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:32 mean?

Joshua 22:32 describes how Phinehas the priest and the leaders of Israel returned from meeting with the tribes of Reuben and Gad in Gilead and went back to the rest of the Israelites in Canaan, bringing a report of what had happened. This verse marks the conclusion of a tense situation, showing that the leaders had finished their mission and were now ready to share the outcome with the wider community.

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, along with the other leaders (called "princes"), had been sent to investigate whether the tribes east of the Jordan had built an altar in rebellion against God. After speaking with Reuben and Gad and hearing their explanation, Phinehas and the leaders returned to the land of Canaan to inform the rest of Israel about what they had learned. The verse highlights the importance of communication and resolution among the tribes at a critical moment in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:32

  • The word for "returned" (שָׁב, shav) appears multiple times in this verse, emphasizing the act of going back, both physically to the land and in bringing back information. This repetition underlines the completion of their mission and the restoration of unity.
  • "Word" (דָּבָר, davar) means not just a single word but a message or report. Here, it refers to the important news Phinehas and the leaders brought back, which would affect the relationship between the tribes.

Why Joshua 22:32 matters

  • Joshua 22:32 clears up any misunderstanding that might have lingered about the intentions of the eastern tribes, showing that the leaders took care to verify the facts before acting.
  • The verse emphasizes the role of responsible leadership and careful communication in maintaining unity among the people of Israel.
  • By showing the leaders’ return and their report, this verse connects the resolution of a potential conflict to the broader story of Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, highlighting the importance of trust and dialogue.

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 22:31 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.