They departed from a place of worship and fellowship to obey God’s command, staying unified in the covenant He established.
So the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned and departed from the sons of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession where they had possessed, according to the command of the LORD through Moses (v.9). Here, we see three specific Israelite groups—Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh—leaving the central gathering place of worship at Shiloh. Shiloh was located in the hill country of central Canaan, northeast of what would later become Jerusalem, serving as the assembly site for Israel during the era of Joshua. By highlighting that they left from Shiloh, the verse shows how their departure symbolized both a physical and spiritual transition, since Shiloh was significant for the Israelites’ covenant worship and offerings (see supporting reference in 1 Samuel 1).
In Joshua 22:9, these tribes travel to Gilead, their destined territory. Gilead stretched east of the Jordan River, a region known for its rugged hills and pastoral land. The verse affirms that they had possessed this land “according to the command of the LORD through Moses” (v.9). Moses, who likely lived between the 16th and 15th centuries BC, led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12) and guided them through the wilderness until Joshua succeeded him. The land east of the Jordan was granted to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh because it was suitable for their substantial flocks and herds—and this move fulfilled the promise God made through Moses.
This verse also highlights obedience and unity among the tribes, despite their being physically separated by the Jordan River. Even though they went to their own territory, they were still part of God’s covenant people, called to honor Him in service and worship. The apostle Paul would later affirm the spirit of unity in passages like Ephesians 4, indicating that physical distance does not nullify the shared faith of believers.
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Joshua 22:9 meaning
So the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned and departed from the sons of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession where they had possessed, according to the command of the LORD through Moses (v.9). Here, we see three specific Israelite groups—Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh—leaving the central gathering place of worship at Shiloh. Shiloh was located in the hill country of central Canaan, northeast of what would later become Jerusalem, serving as the assembly site for Israel during the era of Joshua. By highlighting that they left from Shiloh, the verse shows how their departure symbolized both a physical and spiritual transition, since Shiloh was significant for the Israelites’ covenant worship and offerings (see supporting reference in 1 Samuel 1).
In Joshua 22:9, these tribes travel to Gilead, their destined territory. Gilead stretched east of the Jordan River, a region known for its rugged hills and pastoral land. The verse affirms that they had possessed this land “according to the command of the LORD through Moses” (v.9). Moses, who likely lived between the 16th and 15th centuries BC, led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12) and guided them through the wilderness until Joshua succeeded him. The land east of the Jordan was granted to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh because it was suitable for their substantial flocks and herds—and this move fulfilled the promise God made through Moses.
This verse also highlights obedience and unity among the tribes, despite their being physically separated by the Jordan River. Even though they went to their own territory, they were still part of God’s covenant people, called to honor Him in service and worship. The apostle Paul would later affirm the spirit of unity in passages like Ephesians 4, indicating that physical distance does not nullify the shared faith of believers.