Joshua 22:8

_AND HE SPAKE UNTO THEM, SAYING, RETURN WITH MUCH RICHES UNTO YOUR TENTS, AND WITH VERY MUCH CATTLE, WITH SILVER, AND WITH GOLD, AND WITH BRASS, AND WITH IRON, AND WITH VERY MUCH RAIMENT: DIVIDE THE SPOIL OF YOUR ENEMIES WITH YOUR BRETHREN._ Much riches - in cattle, clothes, and precious metals. DIVIDE THE SPOIL OF YOUR ENEMIES WITH YOUR BRETHREN - (see the note at Numbers 31:25.)...

8._Return with much riches_, etc As it was formerly seen that the greater part of the two tribes were left in their territories beyond the Jordan, when the others passed over to carry on the war, it was fair that, as they had lived in case with their families, or been only occupied with domestic concerns, they should be contented with their own livelihood and the produce of their own labor. And they certainly could not, without dishonesty, have demanded that any part of the booty and spoil should be distributed among them, when they had taken no share in all the toil and the danger. Joshua, however, does not insist on the strictly legal view, but exhorts the soldiers to deal liberally with their countrymen, by sharing the prey with them. Here some one may unseasonably raise the question, Whether or not the booty was common? For Joshua does not decide absolutely that it is their duty to d...

1-9 Joshua dismisses the tribes with good counsel. Those who have the commandment have it in vain, unless they do the commandment; and it will not be done aright unless we take diligent heed. In particular to love the Lord our God, as the best of beings, and the best of friends; and as far as that principle rules in the heart, there will be constant care and endeavour to walk in his ways, even those that are narrow and up-hill. In every instance to keep his commandments. At all times, and in all conditions, with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, and to serve him and his kingdom among men, with all our heart, and with all our soul. This good counsel is given to all; may God give us grace to take it!...

Verse Joshua 22:8. _RETURN WITH MUCH RICHES_] It appears they had their full proportion of the spoils that were taken from the Canaanites, and that these spoils consisted in _cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron_, and _raiment_. _DIVIDE THE SPOIL - WITH YOUR BRETHREN._] It was right that those who stayed at home to defend the families of those who had been in the wars, and to cultivate the ground, should have a proper proportion of the spoils taken from the enemy, for had they not acted as they did the others could not have safely left their families....

The insertion of this explanation about the half tribe, and the repetition of Joshua’s farewell, are examples of a marked characteristic of very ancient writers and of Hebrew writers as much as any - that of giving a completeness and finish to each section of their story. The Jewish historian scarcely ever quotes or reminds, but repeats so much as may be necessary to make his account of the transaction in hand fully intelligible by itself. (Compare also Joshua 13:14, Joshua 13:33; Joshua 14:3; Joshua 18:7.) It is quite possible, however, that the particulars special to...

EXPOSITION JOSHUA 22:1 THE REUBENITES AND THE GADITES. According to the Hebrew idiom, these are in the original in the singular, as in Genesis 12:6. Thus a tribe, as has been before remarked, or even a family (Joshua 6:25), is spoken of frequently as a single individual (cf. Joshua 17:14, Joshua 17:15, Joshua 17:17, Joshua 17:18). It seems prob

AND HE SPAKE UNTO THEM,.... To the half tribe of Manasseh only, though some think also to the other ten tribes: SAYING, RETURN WITH MUCH RICHES UNTO YOUR TENTS; that is, return to their own land, and habitations there, with whatsoever riches they had got from the spoil of the enemy: AND WITH VERY MUCH CATTLE; they had taken from them, and fell to their share, and for which they had good pasturage in Gilead and Bashan, and therefore very proper to take with them, WITH SILVER AND WITH GOLD, AND WITH BRASS, AND WITH IRON; whether in massive pieces, or wrought up into vessels, which they found in the houses of the Canaanites when they plundered them: AND WITH VERY MUCH RAIMENT; some no doubt very rich and costly, such as their kings, princes, nobles, and great personages among them wore: DIVIDE THE SPOIL OF YOUR ENEMIES WITH YOUR BRETHREN; according to Jarchi and Kimchi, this is sp

III. THE FINAL WORDS OF JOSHUA AND THE EPILOGUE 1. The Two and One-half Tribes and the Altar Ed CHAPTER 22 _ 1. Joshua's address (Joshua 22:1)_ 2. The tribes dismissed and their return (Joshua 22:7) 3. The great altar erected (Joshua 22:10) 4. War proposed (Joshua 22:11) 5. The mission of Phinehas and the explanation (Joshua 22:13) 6. The explanation accepted (Joshua 22:30) 7. The altar Ed ...

JOSHUA 21:43 TO JOSHUA 22:8. YAHWEH'S PROMISE OF CONQUEST COMPLETELY FULFILLED, SO THAT THE E. JORDAN TRIBES ARE SET FREE TO RETURN HOME. We have here the introduction to the last section of our book. The land has now, according to the Deuteronomist, been conquered and divided amongst the 9½ tribes; consequently the 2½ tribes, having fulfilled their duty, are dismissed with thanks to their own possessions on the other side of the Jordan....

DIVIDE. share....