Definition: And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 17:4 together. It’s a really important and somewhat troubling passage in the Bible that speaks about a serious betrayal. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: The Problem: The Israelites were being tricked by a group of priests – specifically, Eleazar and Joshua – who were acting like they had a secret agreement with God. They were claiming to be receiving instructions from God for an inheritance. The Trickery: These priests started subtly manipulating the elders of Israel to believe this agreement was official. They presented it as if it was divinely ordained, but really, it was a carefully orchestrated scheme. The Betrayal: They then began to seek out and ask for this inheritance from the Israelites themselves – essentially, they were asking for it from the people. Putting it into simpler terms: It’s like someone pretends to be an official messenger from God, but in reality, they're manipulating people into giving them something they don't rightfully deserve. What the Verse Says (in a more detailed way): "And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father." “They came near…” : This describes the priests actively seeking out the elders of Israel. “…before Eleazar and Joshua…” : These were specific leaders – a priest named Eleazar and a young leader named Joshua – who were involved in this deception. “…and before the princes…” : This highlights that these leaders were acting on behalf of the entire community, not just one individual. “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance...” : This is the core of the story: God specifically told Moses to give the Israelites an inheritance. “…therefore according to the commandment of the LORD…” : This emphasizes that this wasn’t a random act; it was because of God's instruction. "...he gave them an inheritance among our brethren." : This is the key part – the priests were being given something as a reward for their deception and manipulation. The Significance & Why It's Important: This passage shows how easily people can be misled when they’re not trusted. It’s a reminder that: Trust is essential: We must always trust God’s guidance, even when it seems difficult or unexpected. Beware of deception: People can be tricked into doing things that are wrong. God's leadership matters: We should follow God's instructions and not rely on others to make decisions for us. Important Note: This story is a serious warning about the dangers of pride, manipulation, and the importance of listening to God’s true voice. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Talk about the context of this story within the larger narrative of the Old Testament?