“Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them.”
Context: The book of Joshua records the events that took place after the death of Moses, as the Israelites prepared to enter and conquer the Promised Land.
In Joshua 22, we find the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh returning to their allotted lands on the east side of the Jordan River after helping the other tribes in the conquest.
The division of the land: In verse 7, we see that Moses had previously given one half of the tribe of Manasseh their possession in Bashan, which was located on the east side of the Jordan. However, the other half of the tribe received their inheritance from Joshua on the west side of the Jordan, among their brethren.
Unity among the tribes: It’s important to note that the division of the land was not meant to create division among the tribes but rather to fulfill God’s promise and accommodate the size of the tribes. The tribes on both sides of the Jordan River were still considered part of the Israelite nation and were expected to maintain their unity and support for one another.
Joshua’s blessing: After Joshua sent the half-tribe of Manasseh to their allotted lands on the west side of the Jordan, he blessed them. This act of blessing was a significant way of affirming their position and acknowledging their contribution to the overall mission of conquering the Promised Land. It also served as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the importance of remaining faithful to Him.
