Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Return with much riches] It appears they had their full proportion of the spoils that were taken from the Canaanites, and that these spoils consisted in cattle, silver, gold, brass, iron, and raiment.
Divide the spoil-with your brethren.] It was right that those who stayed at home to defend the families of those who had been in the wars, and to cultivate the ground, should have a proper proportion of the spoils taken from the enemy, for had they not acted as they did the others could not have safely left their families.
John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And he spake unto them , etc.] To the half tribe of Manasseh only, though some think also to the other ten tribes: saying, return with much riches unto your tents ; that is, return to their own land, and habitations there, with whatsoever riches they had got from the spoil of the enemy: and with very much cattle ; they had taken from them, and fell to their share, and for which they had good pasturage in Gilead and Bashan, and therefore very proper to take with them, with silver and with gold, and with brass, and with iron ; whether in massive pieces, or wrought up into vessels, which they found in the houses of the Canaanites when they plundered them: and with very much raiment ; some no doubt very rich and costly, such as their kings, princes, nobles, and great personages among them wore: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren ; according to Jarchi and Kimchi, this is spoken to the half tribe of Manasseh, to divide their spoil with the tribes of Reuben and Gad; but it rather means the dividing the above spoil, when they came to their own country with their brethren they left behind; who as they were employed in guarding and defending their cities, their wives
and children, herds and flocks, in their absence, they had a right to part of the spoil; and as in other instances it appears to be a common case for those that stayed at home to share in the spoil with them that went to war, (see Numbers 31:27 1 Samuel 30:24,25 Psalm 68:12); though the notion of Abarbinel pleases me best, that by “their brethren” are meant the other half tribe of Manasseh that remained in Canaan, and were settled there: when the spoil of the Canaanites was divided among all the tribes, the whole tribe of Manasseh had its share; and whereas now half of it were going to their own country on the other side Jordan, it was but reasonable they should have their part of the spoil to carry with them; and this seems to be the true reason of their being separately addressed, and dismissed and blessed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Joshua dismisses the tribes with good counsel. Those who have the commandment have it in vain, unless they do the commandment; and it will not be done aright unless we take diligent heed. In particular to love the Lord our God, as the best of beings, and the best of friends and as far as that principle rules in the heart, there will be constan care and endeavour to walk in his ways, even those that are narrow an up-hill. In every instance to keep his commandments. At all times, an in all conditions, with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, an to serve him and his kingdom among men, with all our heart, and with all our soul. This good counsel is given to all; may God give us grac to take it!
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 אליהם413 לאמר559 בנכסים5233 רבים7227 שׁובו7725 אל413 אהליכם168 ובמקנה4735 רב7227 מאד3966 בכסף3701 ובזהב2091 ובנחשׁת5178 ובברזל1270 ובשׂלמות8008 הרבה7235 מאד3966 חלקו2505 שׁלל7998 איביכם341 עם5973 אחיכם׃251
