Deuteronomy 3 14

Deuteronomy 3:14 kjv

Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

Deuteronomy 3:14 nkjv

Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and called Bashan after his own name, Havoth Jair, to this day.)

Deuteronomy 3:14 niv

Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites; it was named after him, so that to this day Bashan is called Havvoth Jair.)

Deuteronomy 3:14 esv

Jair the Manassite took all the region of Argob, that is, Bashan, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called the villages after his own name, Havvoth-jair, as it is to this day.)

Deuteronomy 3:14 nlt

Jair, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh, conquered the whole Argob region in Bashan, all the way to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. Jair renamed this region after himself, calling it the Towns of Jair, as it is still known today.)

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:14 records a specific allocation of land on the east side of the Jordan River. It describes how Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took control of the entire region of Argob in Bashan, extending to the borders of the Geshurites and Maachathites. This territory was subsequently named Bashan-havvoth-jair, meaning "Bashan of Jair's villages," indicating a lasting ownership and legacy of Jair's clan within the inheritance of the half-tribe of Manasseh, a reality affirmed "to this day" for the original audience.

Deuteronomy 3 14 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' second speech to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, recounting their forty years of wilderness wandering and the recent conquests east of the Jordan before entering Canaan. Specifically, verses 1-11 detail the victory over Og, king of Bashan. Verses 12-17 describe Moses' division of the conquered Transjordanian territory among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, emphasizing God's fulfillment of His promise to provide land. Verse 14 narrows this down to Jair's portion within Manasseh's inheritance. This verse highlights both God's provision and the human action of naming and possessing the land. The phrase "to this day" suggests continuity and verification for the original audience, connecting Moses' historical account to their present reality, though later developments (like the failure to drive out the Geshurites and Maachathites) complicated this ideal possession.

Deuteronomy 3 14 Word analysis

• Jair (יָאִיר, Ya'ir): Hebrew for "He enlightens" or "May he enlighten." A prominent figure, a grandson of Manasseh (Num 32:41) through Machir and Segub (1 Chr 2:22). His leadership secured a significant portion of territory east of the Jordan.
• the son of Manasseh: Identifies Jair's tribal affiliation. Manasseh was one of Joseph's sons, and his tribe received territory on both sides of the Jordan. This links Jair's actions to the larger tribal inheritance promised by God.
• took: Implies conquest and possession, consistent with Israel's divinely commanded mission to occupy the land.
• all the region of Argob (חֶבֶל אַרְגֹּב, ḥebel ’Argob): Argob was a distinct district within Bashan, notable for its fortified cities (Dt 3:4). Its name might relate to "clod" or "field," perhaps indicating its agricultural richness. Jair took the entirety of it, signifying a complete seizure.
• as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites: Specifies the territorial limits. The Geshurites were Aramaean people living to Israel's northeast, east of the Jordan and north of Gilead. The Maachathites also inhabited a nearby Aramaean kingdom. Both are mentioned elsewhere as groups Israel failed to fully dispossess, residing "among Israel" (Josh 13:13), hinting at future tensions. This border reflects an achieved military boundary at the time.
• and called them after his own name: A customary practice in ancient Near Eastern societies, demonstrating ownership, commemoration, and establishing a legacy. The land became eternally linked to its conqueror/possessor.
• Bashan-havvoth-jair (בָּשָׁן חַוֺּת יָאִיר, Bashan Havvot Ya'ir): This translates to "Bashan of the tent villages of Jair" or "villages of Jair in Bashan." The term havvoth (חַוֺּת) refers to tent villages or settlements, distinguishing them from more fortified cities. This compound name permanently linked Jair to this region and its distinct form of settlement.
• to this day: A common historical marker in biblical narrative. It validates the ongoing reality of the land's name and ownership for the audience at the time Deuteronomy was written, serving as a point of reference and a testament to the longevity of the land allocation and naming.

Words-group analysis

• Jair the son of Manasseh took: Highlights a specific agent (Jair from the Manassite lineage) in the broader divine plan of conquest and land distribution, linking individual action to tribal destiny.
• all the region of Argob, as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites: This precise geographical demarcation underlines the extent and boundaries of the conquered territory, providing tangible detail to the divine promise of land. It also implicitly sets up the later tension regarding the incomplete dispossession of these specific groups, whose borders become a feature rather than an eradicated boundary.
• called them after his own name, Bashan-havvoth-jair: This act signifies the firm establishment of Israelite ownership and identity over the formerly Gentile territory. The naming cements a permanent legacy for Jair's descendants within the collective memory and geography of Israel. It demonstrates the right to rename as an expression of conquest and dominion.
• Bashan-havvoth-jair, to this day: The combination of the new name with the temporal phrase "to this day" underscores the lasting impact of the historical event. It transforms a past military victory and territorial claim into a present, verifiable reality for the Israelites, affirming the historical veracity and the continuity of the covenant promises through their inherited land.

Deuteronomy 3 14 Bonus section

The region of Bashan was highly fertile and rich, renowned for its strong oaks, fat cattle, and abundant pastures (Ezek 27:6, Amos 4:1). Securing Argob within Bashan therefore provided a valuable and strategic resource for the half-tribe of Manasseh. The account of Jair here is mirrored by another (or possibly the same, given chronological ambiguity and scope) Jair who judged Israel and whose 'havvoth' or villages were taken by Aram in a later historical period (1 Chr 2:23), highlighting the challenges of maintaining territory against aggressive neighbors in the land, despite initial conquest. This verse also reflects the practical implementation of tribal identity and clan land ownership that formed the socio-political structure of early Israel, grounding their existence in God's fulfilled promises.

Deuteronomy 3 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:14 provides specific detail within the larger narrative of Israel's inheritance of the Promised Land. It underlines the careful and comprehensive nature of the land allocation facilitated by Moses under God's guidance, ensuring that each tribal segment, even an individual like Jair, received a designated portion. The renaming of Argob to "Bashan-havvoth-jair" is not merely an administrative detail but a profound theological act; it is an appropriation of space, imprinting Israelite identity and a particular clan's legacy onto formerly pagan territory. This fulfills God's promise to Abraham and his descendants that they would possess the land. However, the mention of the Geshurites and Maachathites, later explicitly stated as not fully dispossessed (Josh 13:13), serves as a subtle reminder within the broader Pentateuchal narrative that while divine provision is complete, human obedience and complete fulfillment of God's commands often fall short, leaving lingering challenges. The phrase "to this day" highlights the historical truth of the account for the contemporary Israelite, confirming God's faithfulness in establishing them in the land. For the New Testament reader, it points to the broader concept of spiritual inheritance and the new names believers receive in Christ (Rev 2:17, 3:12), reflecting a transformation and a lasting legacy not tied to physical land but to an eternal Kingdom.