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,

JOSHUA 22:7KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 22:7 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:7 mean?

Joshua 22:7 explains that Moses had given land in Bashan to half of the tribe of Manasseh, while Joshua gave land to the other half west of the Jordan River. After dividing the land, Joshua sent these people back to their homes and gave them a blessing.

Joshua is the leader here, speaking to the people of the tribe of Manasseh. The verse highlights how the tribe was split between land east (Bashan) and west of the Jordan, showing the careful organization of the tribes as they settled in the Promised Land. Joshua’s act of blessing them as they return home shows a moment of goodwill and unity after the land was distributed.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:7

  • "Half" (חֵצִי, ḥētsî) is used twice, emphasizing that the tribe of Manasseh was divided into two equal parts, each receiving land on different sides of the Jordan.
  • "Bashan" (בָּשָׁן, Bashan) refers to a fertile region east of the Jordan, showing the specific territory given to one half of Manasseh.
  • "Blessed" (בָּרַךְ, bāraḵ) means to speak well of or to confer favor, highlighting Joshua’s role as a leader who sends the people home with encouragement and goodwill.

Why Joshua 22:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the tribe of Manasseh was uniquely divided, with land on both sides of the Jordan, which helps explain later references to the "half-tribe" of Manasseh.
  • The mention of Joshua blessing the people as they return home underscores the peaceful and respectful transition after the conquest, reinforcing unity among the tribes.
  • Understanding the distribution of land here helps make sense of later events in Joshua and Judges, where the location and loyalty of the tribes become important.

Where else these words appear

“among” Hebrew H5973 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Genesis 48:12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

“side” Hebrew H5676 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Joshua 7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
  • 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

“half” Hebrew H2677 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Joshua 13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.