Joshua 1:12-15 meaning

In Joshua 1:12-15, Joshua ensures the aid of three tribes in the conquest of Canaan.

In the previous section, Joshua demonstrated his leadership as he delegated some responsibilities to the Israelite officers, those who served in the administration of government and law enforcement. He urged them to speak to the Israelite congregation so they would be ready to cross the Jordan River to conquer the land of Canaan (Joshua 1:10-11). In this section, Joshua addressed another group of Israelites, namely the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These three groups were allowed by Moses to occupy the east side of the Jordan River. They were, in a sense, already home, while the remainder of the tribes of Israel had yet to secure their homelands from the Canaanites.

Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (v. 12). According to the book of Genesis, the Reubenites descended from the first son of Jacob by his wife Leah (Genesis 35:23). The Gadites were descendants of Jacob’s son Gad by his maidservant, Zilpah (Genesis 35:26). The half-tribe of Manasseh belonged to the first son of Joseph and consisted of two clans represented by Jair and Machir (Genesis 41:51). These two and half tribes were to receive the portions of land located east of Jordan. But as part of the Israelite community, they were obligated to help the remaining tribes conquer the west side of the Jordan. Thus, Joshua commanded them, saying: Remember the word, which Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you (v. 13).

Moses was the principal author of the Pentateuch and Israel’s religious leader who preceded Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:5). Moses obeyed the LORD’s command to go to Egypt and rescue the Israelites from bondage there. Afterward, he led the people through their wilderness journey and served as a mediator between God and the people. Therefore, the biblical text describes Moses as the servant of the LORD.

The Hebrew term translated as servant is “ʿeḇeḏ.” It often applies to specific people such as Abraham, Caleb, David, and Zerubbabel, whom the LORD used as His emissaries to carry out His purposes (Genesis 26:24, Numbers 14:24, 2 Samuel 7:5, and Haggai 2:23, respectively). Moses too was the LORD’s servant (Numbers 12:7). He obeyed the LORD as his Master.

The Hebrew term translated as LORD is Yahweh, the self-existent and eternal God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This term often emphasizes God’s covenant relationship with His people. In our text, it shows Moses’s relationship with Yahweh, telling the reader that Moses was God’s special emissary. His mission was to give the divine precepts to Israel, so that they knew how to please their covenant partner, Yahweh.

Having urged the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to fulfill their promises, Joshua reminded them of their obligations by reciting the words of Moses found in Numbers 32:20-22 and Deuteronomy 3:18-20. He began by saying, The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.

These tribes had numerous domesticated animals (Numbers 32:1). They saw that the region east of the Jordan would be more suitable for them, so they asked Moses for it. At first, Moses hesitated to grant the request because he thought they would be unwilling to cross the Jordan to conquer the Promised Land. However, when they pledged to fight and help their fellow Israelites conquer the western part of Jordan, Moses accepted (Numbers 32:1-25, Deuteronomy 3:18-20).

The original plan was for them to inherit land on the west side of the Jordan, but they insisted they wanted land on the east side. God allowed their request, knowing it would later not be in their best interest. Several centuries in the future from this passage—after the conquest of Canaan—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh would be the first tribes of Israel to be conquered and exiled by Assyria, because they were on the east side of the Jordan (1 Chronicles 5:26).

In our text, Joshua encouraged these tribes to recall their pledge to Moses. They were to keep their vows and act honestly by helping the remaining tribes to conquer the land beyond the Jordan.

Joshua further said to them: Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land, which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan (v. 14). These men could leave their families and possessions in their allocated cities to go to the battlefield. That is why Joshua commanded them, saying: You shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them. Leaving their families and belongings at home would allow them to help their fellow Israelites without difficulties.

Moreover, Joshua told the eastern tribes to remain on the battlefield until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land, which the LORD your God is giving them (v. 15).

The term rest speaks of peace and safety. In our passage, it refers to a period when all the Israelite tribes would relax and be safe in their territories. Joshua ended this section by clarifying the matter: Then you shall return to your own land and possess that which Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.

After helping the western tribes to secure their territories, the eastern tribes could return to their assigned portions and “be free of obligation” toward God and the other Israelites (Numbers 32:22, Deuteronomy 3:20). According to Joshua 14:6-15, it took Israel about seven years to conquer the land of Canaan. Thus, the eastern tribes spent at least seven years on the battlefield before returning home to their families.

The book of Hebrews points out that the rest that Joshua caused Israel to possess was a foreshadowing of the true rest that Jesus (Yeshua/Joshua) will give His people in the Messianic Era (Hebrews 4:3-9).