Joshua 22:14

Verse

With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

and with him ten princes, one prince of a fathers’ house for each of the tribes of Israel; and they were every one of them head of their fathers’ houses among the thousands of Israel.

Bible in Basic English

And with him they sent ten chiefs, one for every tribe of the children of Israel, every one of them the head of his house among the families of Israel.

Free Bible Version

Ten leaders went with him, one from each of the ten tribes of Israel, and each the head of his family.

Geneva Bible 1599

And with him ten princes, of euery chiefe house a prince, according to all the tribes of Israel: for euery one was chiefe of their fathers housholde among the thousands of Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.

Translation for Translators

They also sent one leader from each of the ten tribes that were still at Shiloh. Each of them was a leader of his clan.

Unlocked Literal Bible

and with him ten leaders, one from each of the tribal families of Israel, and every one of them was the head of a family among the clan of Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was a head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.

World English Bible

With him were ten princes, one prince of a fathers’ house for each of the tribes of Israel; and they were each head of their fathers’ houses among the thousands of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation

and ten princes with him, one prince, one prince, for a house of a father, for all the tribes of Israel, and each of them a head of a house of their fathers, for the thousands of Israel.

Context

The Altar of Witness

¹³The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.¹⁴With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel.

Summary

This verse captures the response of the Israelites to the news that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had completed building an altar near the Jordan River. Initially, the Israelites were ready to go to war against these tribes, suspecting them of turning away from the Lord. However, they chose to send a delegation led by Phinehas, the priest, to investigate the situation first. This incident highlights the importance of communication, seeking understanding before jumping to conclusions, and the significance of unity among God's people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead,.... The deputation came thither; they either sent for the chiefs among the two tribes and a half, to meet them at some place, or they, having a notion of their coming, assembled together to receive them, and hear what they had to say to them: and they spake with them, saying; as follows; very probably Phinehas was the mouth of the whole, for there could be but one speaker.