John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, returned , etc.] First to the camp to take their substance, and then set forward to their own land: and departed from the children of Israel ; from the rest of them, for otherwise they were children of Israel also: out of Shiloh, which [is] in the land of Canaan ; for here the camp of Israel was, as well as the tabernacle: to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession , whereof they were possessed ; Gilead is put for the whole country on the other side Jordan, as the land of Jazer, and the kingdom of Bashan, which the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, were possessed of: according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses ; for when they moved to have that country, Moses, it seems, consulted the Lord about it, who declared it to be his will they should have it, on performing what they promised, (see Numbers 32:1-42).
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 וישׁבו7725 וילכו1980 בני1121 ראובן7205 ובני1121 גד1410 וחצי2677 שׁבט7626 המנשׁה4519 מאת853 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 משׁלה7887 אשׁר834 בארץ776 כנען3667 ללכת1980 אל413 ארץ776 הגלעד1568 אל413 ארץ776 אחזתם272 אשׁר834 נאחזו270 בה על5921 פי6310 יהוה3068 ביד3027 משׁה׃4872
