So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away, and they went to their tents.'

To bless was to wish God's power and favour on them. But the idea here would also seem to include the spoils that they shared as a result of the conquests. Then they retired to their tents to prepare for their journey (compare Judges 7:8 and contrast Joshua 22:4 above). Alternately this is a typical summary statement before more detail is given meaning ‘returned to their dwellings'. Such summary statements helped the listener to prepare for what as coming. Repetition was a recognised factor in ancient literature.

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