And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of Israel who were with him heard what the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied with their explanation.
The leaders of Israel were pleased and relieved when they heard the eastern tribes explain their true intentions for building the altar.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had settled east of the Jordan River and built an altar, which initially alarmed the other Israelites who thought they were rebelling against God. Phinehas, the son of High Priest Eleazar, led a delegation to confront them about what appeared to be idolatry or division from proper worship at the tabernacle.
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