Deuteronomy 3 12

Deuteronomy 3:12 kjv

And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.

Deuteronomy 3:12 nkjv

"And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the River Arnon, and half the mountains of Gilead and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites.

Deuteronomy 3:12 niv

Of the land that we took over at that time, I gave the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory north of Aroer by the Arnon Gorge, including half the hill country of Gilead, together with its towns.

Deuteronomy 3:12 esv

"When we took possession of this land at that time, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory beginning at Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities.

Deuteronomy 3:12 nlt

"When we took possession of this land, I gave to the tribes of Reuben and Gad the territory beyond Aroer along the Arnon Gorge, plus half of the hill country of Gilead with its towns.

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 12 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:12 outlines Moses' allocation of the conquered land east of the Jordan River to specific Israelite tribes. This territory, spanning from Aroer on the Arnon River northwards to half of Mount Gilead, including its cities, was granted to the Reubenites and the Gadites. It signifies the initial fulfillment of God's promise of land before the main conquest of Canaan, demonstrating His faithfulness and providing tangible inheritance.

Deuteronomy 3 12 Context

Deuteronomy 3:12 is embedded within Moses' recapitulation of Israel's journey from Mount Horeb, specifically detailing the decisive victories against Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan (Deut 3:1-11). This conquest occurred in the final year of the wilderness wanderings, positioning Israel strategically east of the Jordan. Moses recounts how the entire land of these two mighty Amorite kings was taken. The verse then proceeds to explain the immediate allocation of this Transjordanian territory. This was a crucial first step in possessing the Promised Land, addressing the specific request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who possessed large flocks and saw the benefit of this pasture-rich region. Moses, acting as God's faithful administrator, formalizes this distribution before his death and before Israel crosses the Jordan, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to give them land.

Deuteronomy 3 12 Word analysis

• And this land: In Hebrew, `וְהָאָ֕רֶץ הַזֹּ֖את` (ve-ha'aretz hazot). `Ha'aretz` refers to the land. The demonstrative `hazot` (this) emphasizes a specific, tangible piece of territory, distinct from the as-yet-unconquered land of Canaan. It points to an immediate, present reality of God's fulfilled promise.
• which we possessed: `אֲשֶׁר־יָרַ֥שְׁנוּ` (asher yarashnu). The verb `יָרַשׁ` (yarash) means "to inherit, take possession of, dispossess." It implies both receiving something as an inheritance (divinely given) and actively seizing it from another. It signifies the transfer of ownership through divine enablement and human action. This word often carries a connotation of rightful ownership in a covenantal context.
• at that time: `בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖וא` (ba'et hahi'). This phrase highlights a specific moment in Israel's history when God's power was overtly displayed, and His promises began to visibly unfold. It marks a historical turning point of actual acquisition.
• from Aroer: `מֵעֲרֹעֵ֛ר` (me'Aro'er). Aroer (meaning "ruins" or "naked") was a prominent city, often used as a geographical marker for the southern border of Israel's Transjordanian territory. It was strategically located on the edge of the Arnon valley.
• which is by the river Arnon: `אֲשֶׁר־עַל־נַ֣חַל אַרְנֹ֗ן` (asher al-nachal Arnon). The Arnon River (אַ֠רְנוֹן, Arnon) served as a significant natural boundary, separating Israel from Moab to the south. This geographical precision in describing the boundary underscores the legal and concrete nature of the land allocation. It also acts as a polemic, asserting Israel's divinely granted claim over the land against any prior claims by neighboring nations like Moab.
• and half mount Gilead: `וַחֲצִ֨י הַר־הַגִּלְעָ֜ד` (vachatzti har haGil'ad). Gilead (meaning "heap of witness" or "rocky region") was a fertile, elevated region known for its pasturage. Dividing Gilead (`חֲצִ֛י`, chatzi, meaning "half") signifies a precise division agreed upon by the tribes, recognizing the diverse needs of Reuben and Gad for pasture, and Manasseh for broader territory.
• and the cities thereof: `וְעָרָֽיו` (ve'arav). The inclusion of "cities" emphasizes that the inheritance included not just open land but established dwelling places and infrastructure. It signifies complete possession and authority over inhabited areas, vital for settling and consolidating power.
• gave I unto: `נָתַ֧תִּי` (natatti). This is Moses speaking in the first person ("I gave"). While Moses physically distributed the land, the ultimate giver is God. Moses acted as God's agent and administrator, underscoring the divine authority behind the allocation.
• the Reubenites and to the Gadites: `לָרֻֽאוּבֵנִי֙ וְלַגָּדִ֔י` (la-Ru'uveni ve-la-Gadi). These are the specific tribes who requested this land (Num 32), and their inclusion highlights Moses' faithful adherence to the tribal arrangements as guided by God's wisdom and their practical needs.

Words-group analysis:

• "And this land, which we possessed at that time": This phrase highlights the historical reality of divine action and human acquisition. "We possessed" signifies Israel's active role in conquering under God's empowerment, making it a tangible reality of their covenant relationship.
• "from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof": This geographical description delineates the precise extent of the initial tribal inheritance east of the Jordan. It paints a clear picture of the boundaries, emphasizing order, structure, and definite possession.
• "gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites": This segment confirms the specific beneficiaries and Moses' instrumental role in executing the divine plan. It roots the allocation in concrete tribal needs and arrangements established during the wilderness journey.

Deuteronomy 3 12 Bonus section

The division of the Transjordanian land for Reuben and Gad, based on their specific request for pasture for their abundant livestock, highlights a tension between immediate practical needs and the broader call to inherit the whole Promised Land west of the Jordan. While God accommodated their request, their choice to settle outside the main promised land later presented challenges for national unity and spiritual stability (as seen in their limited participation in some later tribal conflicts or the alter controversy in Joshua 22). This initial allocation thus serves as an example of God's provision tailored to specific needs, yet also implicitly raises questions about living by faith versus by sight, and the long-term implications of choices made within God's broader plan.

Deuteronomy 3 12 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:12 encapsulates the culmination of Israel's initial land acquisition, representing God's faithfulness in beginning to fulfill His ancient promise to Abraham. This verse solidifies the territorial identity of the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben and Gad, later also half-Manasseh, mentioned in the following verses). It emphasizes the reality of their inheritance even before the primary conquest of Canaan, serving as a powerful demonstration that God delivers on His word. Moses, acting under divine authority, is shown as the responsible steward administering this foundational inheritance. The specific geographical markers underscore the tangibility and permanence of this gift, providing clarity for generations to come. This early distribution of land also foreshadows the future full division of the Promised Land under Joshua, setting a precedent for God's orderly provision for His people according to their tribal identities and needs.