Joshua 22:3
New International Version
For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.

New Living Translation
During all this time you have not deserted the other tribes. You have been careful to obey the commands of the LORD your God right up to the present day.

English Standard Version
You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the LORD your God.

Berean Standard Bible
All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God.

King James Bible
Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

New King James Version
You have not left your brethren these many days, up to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

New American Standard Bible
You have not abandoned your brothers these many days to this day, but have fulfilled the obligation of the commandment of the LORD your God.

NASB 1995
“You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

NASB 1977
“You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Legacy Standard Bible
You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the responsibility of the commandment of Yahweh your God.

Amplified Bible
You have not deserted your brothers these many days to this day, but have [carefully] kept the obligation of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Christian Standard Bible
You have not deserted your brothers even once this whole time but have carried out the requirement of the command of the LORD your God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have not deserted your brothers even once this whole time but have carried out the requirement of the command of the LORD your God.

American Standard Version
ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of Jehovah your God.

English Revised Version
ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All this time, to this day, you have never deserted your relatives. You have carefully kept the commands of the LORD your God.

Good News Translation
All this time you have never once deserted the other Israelites. You have been careful to obey the commands of the LORD your God.

International Standard Version
You haven't abandoned your relatives these past days to the present, and you have met the obligation contained in the commands of the LORD your God.

Majority Standard Bible
All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God.

NET Bible
You have not abandoned your fellow Israelites this entire time, right up to this very day. You have completed the task given you by the LORD your God.

New Heart English Bible
You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have performed the duty of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye have not left your brethren these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

World English Bible
You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have performed the duty of the commandment of Yahweh your God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you have not left your brothers these many days to this day, and have kept the charge—the command of your God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, and have kept the charge -- the command of Jehovah your God.

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye left not your brethren this many days till this day, and ye watched the watches of the command of Jehovah your God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither have you left your brethren this long time, until this present day, keeping the commandment of the Lord your God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Neither have you forsaken your brothers during this long time, even to the present day, keeping the orders of the Lord your God.

New American Bible
For many years now, even until today, you have not abandoned your allies, but have taken care to observe the commands of the LORD, your God.

New Revised Standard Version
you have not forsaken your kindred these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the LORD your God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You have not deserted your brethren these many days even to this time, but have kept the commandments of the LORD your God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you have not forsaken your brethren now for many days until today, and you have kept the commandments of LORD JEHOVAH your God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye have not deserted your brethren these many days: until this day ye have kept the commandment of the Lord your God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Eastern Tribes Return Home
2and told them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. 3All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God. 4And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.…

Cross References
Numbers 32:20-22
Moses replied, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, / and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, / then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.

Deuteronomy 3:18-20
At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. / But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, / until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.”

Joshua 1:12-15
But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, / “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ / Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, ...

1 Kings 8:56
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.

Hebrews 4:8-9
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. / There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. / For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.

Hebrews 6:10-12
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. / We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. / Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. / Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.


Treasury of Scripture

You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Philippians 1:23-27
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: …

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Careful Carried Charge Command Commandment Deserted Duty Kept Mission Performed Time
Joshua 22
1. The two tribes and a half with a blessing are sent home,
10. They build the altar of testimony in their journey
11. The Israelites are offended thereat
21. They vindicate their conduct, and give them good satisfaction














All this time
This phrase emphasizes the duration and faithfulness of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. In Hebrew, the concept of time here underscores a continuous commitment. Historically, this reflects the period during which these tribes assisted their fellow Israelites in conquering the Promised Land, demonstrating steadfast loyalty and perseverance.

you have not deserted
The Hebrew root for "deserted" conveys the idea of abandoning or forsaking. This is significant in the context of covenant loyalty, as desertion would imply a breach of faith. The tribes' refusal to abandon their brothers highlights their integrity and dedication to communal responsibility, a key value in the Israelite community.

your brothers
This term reflects the familial bond among the tribes of Israel. The use of "brothers" rather than "fellow Israelites" or "companions" emphasizes the deep, covenantal relationship that binds the tribes together. It is a reminder of the unity and shared destiny of the people of God, rooted in their common ancestry and divine calling.

up to this very day
This phrase marks a specific point in time, underscoring the tribes' consistent faithfulness. It serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment, which is recognized and honored by Joshua. The historical context here is crucial, as it marks the completion of a significant chapter in Israel's journey to settle in the Promised Land.

but have kept the charge
The word "charge" in Hebrew often refers to a command or duty given by a higher authority. In this context, it signifies the divine mandate given to these tribes to support their brethren. Their obedience to this charge reflects their reverence for God's authority and their role in His divine plan.

given you by the LORD your God
This phrase underscores the divine origin of the command. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) highlights the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. It is a reminder that their actions are not merely for human approval but are in response to a divine directive. The acknowledgment of God as "your God" personalizes the relationship, emphasizing that their obedience is an act of worship and faithfulness to their covenant with God.

Verse 3. - Many days (see note on ver. 1). The expression in the original implies more, a great many days, the usual expression for a period of considerable length. Thus the military service of these tribes must under any circumstances have been a prolonged and arduous one, and they well deserved the encomiums which Joshua here lavishes upon them. It is a remarkable and almost inexplicable fact, that while the sojourn in the wilderness is represented as one long catalogue of murmurings, not one single complaint (unless we may call the gentle expostulation of the tribe of Joseph, in ch. 17, a complaint) disturbs the peace of the tribes while Joshua led them. This remarkable consistency of the narrative throughout, so great a contrast to what precedes and what follows, and felt to be so by the writer (Joshua 24:31), is of itself no small pledge of the trustworthiness of the whole. A collector at random from various narratives, themselves to a considerable extent fictitious, could hardly have managed to cull portions which would form an harmonious whole. A writer who was inventing his details would hardly have thought of making his history so great a contrast to the rest of the history of Israel, save with the idea of exalting the character of his hero. But there is no attempt to set Joshua above Moses, or any other Jewish leader. In fact, it is an argument for the early composition of the hook that there is no reference, not even an allusion, to any later events in the history of Israel. Why there was this marked difference between Israel under Joshua, and Israel at any other time, is a question somewhat difficult to determine. Yet we may believe that it was the evidence of visible success. While the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, they felt keenly, as men accustomed to a civilised and settled life, the inconveniences of a nomad existence. By their mingled impatience and cowardice they had forfeited their claim to God's protection. Even the observance of their feasts, and still further the rite of initiation into the covenant itself, were in abeyance (see notes on Joshua 5:2-8). So uncertain, humanly speaking, was their future, that it was as difficult a task, and one the successful accomplishment of which was above unassisted human powers, for Moses to keep them together in the wilderness, as it was for Joshua to lead them to victory in the promised land. And it is one of the commonest of Christian experiences, both in the history of individuals and of the Christian Church, that times of prosperity are times of content and outward satisfaction. It is the times of adversity that try men's faith and patience. As long as the Israelitish Church was subduing kingdoms, winning splendid victories, experiencing the encouragement derivable from God's sensible presence and intervention, there was no discontent, discouragement, or wavering. But the trials of the long wandering, as well as those incident to the quiet, unostentatious discharge of duty, were fatal to their faith and patience. Can theirs be said to be a singular history? Kept the charge. The words in the original have reference to the punctual discharge of a duty entrusted to a person to fulfil. It may be rendered, "kept the observance of the commandment." This commandment, as we have before seen, was given in Numbers 32. (see also Joshua 1:12-18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All this time
יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

you have not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deserted
עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ם (‘ă·zaḇ·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

your brothers,
אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם (’ă·ḥê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

up to
עַ֖ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this very day,
הַיּ֣וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

but have kept
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֕ם (ū·šə·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the charge
מִשְׁמֶ֕רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

given you
מִצְוַ֖ת (miṣ·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

by the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: Joshua 22:3 You have not left your brothers these (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 22:2
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