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
In the book of Joshua, after the Israelites had conquered much of Canaan, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh returned to their allotted lands east of the Jordan River, having fulfilled their duty in the battles. These tribes built a large altar that alarmed the other Israelite leaders, who feared it might be used for idolatrous worship, potentially dividing the nation. Upon hearing the tribes' explanation that the altar was a symbol of their shared faith and unity with Israel, Phinehas the priest and the leaders were reassured and pleased.
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