Then the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh answered and said to the heads of the divisions of Israel:
Parallel translations
- WEB Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel,
- KJV Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
- BSB Then the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the leaders of the clans of Israel:
- NASB Then the sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered and spoke to the heads of the families of Israel.
- NLT Then the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the heads of the clans of Israel:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The eastern tribes begin their reply to the accusation. It opens their heartfelt defense and explanation.
Overview
Now the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh respond to the charge leveled against them. Their answer will reveal that their motive was the opposite of rebellion. This turning point shows the value of allowing the accused to explain before judgment is rendered.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Exod 18:21–25Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
- Prov 16:1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
- Prov 18:13He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
- Prov 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Prov 24:26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
- Mic 5:2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
- Acts 11:4But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
- Jas 1:19So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
- 1 Pet 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
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Christ at the center
Joshua — the same name as Jesus, 'the LORD saves' — leads God's people into their inheritance, a shadow of the greater Joshua who brings us into the true rest and the promised land that remains.
How Joshua 22:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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