Joshua 22:31
New International Version
And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the LORD in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD’s hand.”

New Living Translation
Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the LORD is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the LORD.”

English Standard Version
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him. Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh, “This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and to the sons of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this unfaithful act against the LORD; now you have saved the sons of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”

NASB 1995
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this unfaithful act against the LORD; now you have delivered the sons of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”

NASB 1977
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this unfaithful act against the LORD; now you have delivered the sons of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Manasseh, “Today we know that Yahweh is in our midst because you have not committed this unfaithful act against Yahweh; so then you have delivered the sons of Israel from the hand of Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the sons of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this unfaithful act against the LORD; indeed you have saved Israel from the hand of the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against him. As a result, you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD’s power.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against Him. As a result, you have delivered the Israelites from the LORD’s power.”

American Standard Version
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 know that Jehovah is in the midst of us, because ye have not committed this trespass against Jehovah: now have ye delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of Jehovah.

English Revised Version
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 know that the LORD is in the midst of us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now have ye delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Phinehas, son of the priest Eleazar, said to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, "Today we know the LORD is among us, because you did not commit an unfaithful act against the LORD. Now you have rescued the people of Israel from the LORD's punishment."

Good News Translation
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, said to them, "Now we know that the LORD is with us. You have not rebelled against him, and so you have saved the people of Israel from the LORD's punishment."

International Standard Version
So Eleazar's son Phinehas the priest replied to the descendants of Reuben, the descendants of Gad, and the descendants of Manasseh, "Today we've demonstrated that the LORD is among us, because you have not acted treacherously against the LORD. Now you have delivered the Israelis from the anger of the LORD."

Majority Standard Bible
Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, ?Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him. Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.?

NET Bible
Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest, said to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the Manassehites, "Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not disobeyed the LORD in this. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD's judgment."

New Heart English Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben, to the people of Gad, and to the people of Manasseh, "Today we know that the LORD is in the midst of us, because you have not committed this trespass against the LORD. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to 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.

World English Bible
Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, “Today we know that Yahweh is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against Yahweh. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of Yahweh’s hand.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest says to the sons of Reuben, and to the sons of Gad, and to the sons of Manasseh, “Today we have known that YHWH [is] in our midst, because you have not committed this trespass against YHWH—then you have delivered the sons of Israel out of the hand of YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest saith unto the sons of Reuben, and unto the sons of Gad, and unto the sons of Manasseh, 'To-day we have known that Jehovah is in our midst, because ye have not committed against Jehovah this trespass -- then ye have delivered the sons of Israel out of the hand of Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest will say to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Manasseh, This day we knew that Jehovah is in the midst of us, because ye transgressed not this transgression against Jehovah: then ye delivered the sons of Israel from the hand of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Phinees the priest the son of Eleazar said to them: Now we know that the Lord is with us, because you are not guilty of this revolt, and you have delivered the children of Israel from the hand of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Phinehas, the priest, the son of Eleazar, said to them: “Now we know that the Lord is with us. For you are a stranger to this transgression. And so you have freed the sons of Israel from the hand of the Lord.”

New American Bible
Phinehas, son of Eleazar the priest, said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the Manassites, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst. Since you have not rebelled against the LORD by this act of treachery, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.”

New Revised Standard Version
The priest Phinehas son of Eleazar said to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the Manassites, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD; now you have saved the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half tribe of Manasseh. This day we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against the LORD; now you have delivered the children of Israel, that the hand of the LORD might not be against them with wrath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Phinkhas, son of Eliazer the Priest, said to the sons of Rubil and to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Manasheh: “Today we know that LORD JEHOVAH is in our midst, that you have not lied this lie to LORD JEHOVAH, therefore you have delivered the children of Israel that the hand of LORD JEHOVAH will not be against them for rage”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 know that the LORD is in the midst of us, because ye have not committed this treachery against the LORD; now have ye delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Phinees the priest said to the sons of Ruben, and to the sons of Gad, and to the half of the tribe of Manasse, To-day we know that the Lord is with us, because ye have not trespassed grievously against the Lord, and because ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Offensive Altar
30When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation—the heads of Israel’s clans who were with him—heard what the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied. 31Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him. Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.” 32Then Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, together with the other leaders, returned to the Israelites in the land of Canaan and brought back a report regarding the Reubenites and Gadites in the land of Gilead.…

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 13:12-18
If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said / that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), / then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, ...

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.

1 Kings 8:61
So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.”

2 Chronicles 15:15
And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their heart. They had sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

Psalm 106:30-31
But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. / It was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

Jeremiah 7:23
but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.

Ezekiel 18:9
He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD.

Malachi 2:5-6
“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ...

Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ / The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Luke 10:27
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to 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 you have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.

the Lord is

Joshua 3:10
And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

Leviticus 26:11,12
And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you…

Numbers 14:41-43
And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper…

now [heb] then

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Children Committed Delivered Eleazar Hand Israel Manasseh Midst Perceive Phinehas Priest Reuben Today Treachery Trespass
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Children Committed Delivered Eleazar Hand Israel Manasseh Midst Perceive Phinehas Priest Reuben Today Treachery Trespass
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














Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest
Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron, the first high priest, and son of Eleazar. His zeal for God's holiness was previously demonstrated in Numbers 25 when he stopped a plague by taking decisive action against idolatry. His role as a priest underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and discernment in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

said to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh
These tribes had settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, separate from the other tribes of Israel. Their geographical separation often led to misunderstandings, as seen in this chapter. The unity of the tribes was crucial for the strength and identity of Israel as God's chosen people.

“Today we know that the LORD is among us
This acknowledgment reflects the belief that God's presence was contingent upon the faithfulness and obedience of His people. The assurance of God's presence was a central theme in Israel's history, as seen in the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, which symbolized God's dwelling among His people.

because you have not committed this breach of faith against Him
The potential breach of faith refers to the misunderstanding regarding the altar built by the eastern tribes. Initially perceived as an act of rebellion, it was clarified to be a witness to their shared faith with the western tribes. This highlights the importance of communication and understanding in preventing division within the community of believers.

Consequently, you have delivered the Israelites from the hand of the LORD.”
The "hand of the LORD" often signifies divine judgment or discipline. By clarifying their intentions, the eastern tribes averted potential divine wrath that could have resulted from perceived idolatry or rebellion. This incident underscores the theme of collective responsibility and the impact of individual actions on the community's relationship with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Phinehas
The son of Eleazar, the priest, and grandson of Aaron. Known for his zeal for God's holiness, Phinehas plays a crucial role in mediating between the tribes of Israel in this passage.

2. Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh
These are the tribes that settled on the east side of the Jordan River. They built an altar, which initially caused concern among the other tribes of Israel.

3. The Altar
Built by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, this altar was intended as a witness between them and the other Israelites, not for sacrifices, which was misunderstood initially.

4. The LORD
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, whose presence and favor are central to the unity and peace of the nation.

5. The Israelites
The collective people of God, who were concerned about maintaining faithfulness to the LORD and avoiding His wrath.
Teaching Points
Zeal for God's Holiness
Phinehas exemplifies a passion for God's holiness and the importance of addressing potential sin within the community. We should be vigilant in maintaining purity in our own lives and communities.

Misunderstandings and Reconciliation
The initial misunderstanding about the altar teaches us the importance of seeking clarity and reconciliation before jumping to conclusions. We should strive for unity and understanding in our relationships.

God's Presence as Assurance
Phinehas' declaration that the LORD is among them highlights the assurance and peace that come from God's presence. We should seek to live in a way that invites and honors God's presence in our lives.

Deliverance through Obedience
The tribes' obedience in clarifying their intentions delivered Israel from potential divine judgment. Obedience to God's commands is crucial for experiencing His deliverance and blessing.(31) We perceive that the Lord is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass . . .--The best token of the Divine presence among men is the Divine likeness and holiness in men. "if we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie . . . but if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another."

Verse 31. - Now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord. The word here rendered "now" is rather then. But the Hebrew word, like our own, is used as implying not only consecution of time, but consequence of action (see Psalm 40:8; Psalm 69:5; Jeremiah 22:15). Thus the meaning here is, "We see, then, that instead of bringing upon us heavy chastisement, as we had feared, ye have acted in a way which secures us from the punishment of which we were afraid."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Phinehas
פִּֽינְחָ֣ס (pî·nə·ḥās)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6372: Phinehas -- three Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Eleazar
אֶלְעָזָ֣ר (’el·‘ā·zār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 499: Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֡ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the descendants
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Reuben,
רְאוּבֵ֨ן (rə·’ū·ḇên)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7205: Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc

Gad,
גָ֜ד (ḡāḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1410: Gad -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe and its territory, also a prophet

and Manasseh,
מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה (mə·naš·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

“Today
הַיּ֤וֹם ׀ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

we know
יָדַ֙עְנוּ֙ (yā·ḏa‘·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

is among us,
בְתוֹכֵ֣נוּ (ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

because
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

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

committed
מְעַלְתֶּ֥ם (mə·‘al·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

breach of faith
הַמַּ֣עַל (ham·ma·‘al)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4604: An unfaithful or treacherous act

against Him.
בַּֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Consequently,
אָ֗ז (’āz)
Adverb
Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore

you have delivered
הִצַּלְתֶּ֛ם (hiṣ·ṣal·tem)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

the Israelites
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

from the hand
מִיַּ֥ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the LORD.?
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: Joshua 22:31 Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 22:30
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