Went back to, depending upon the perspective of the receptor language, may also be rendered “returned to.” Since the act of leaving is implied in went back to, the verse may be shortened: “Then Phinehas and the ten leaders of the western tribes returned to the land of Canaan and told the people of Israel everything,” or “… and told the people of Israel everything that had happened.” In all probability the place in Canaan to which they returned was the city of Shiloh, though this should not be indicated in translation, since there is no basis for it in the text.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .