Deuteronomy 3 17

Deuteronomy 3:17 kjv

The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.

Deuteronomy 3:17 nkjv

the plain also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the east side of the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.

Deuteronomy 3:17 niv

Its western border was the Jordan in the Arabah, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.

Deuteronomy 3:17 esv

the Arabah also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah on the east.

Deuteronomy 3:17 nlt

They also received the Jordan Valley, all the way from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea, with the Jordan River serving as the western boundary. To the east were the slopes of Pisgah.

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:17 defines the southern extent of the territory east of the Jordan River, which Moses allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It specifies that their dominion included the Arabah (the Jordan plain or rift valley), bordered by the Jordan River and its adjacent regions. This territory stretched southward from the Sea of Chinnereth (Sea of Galilee) all the way to the Sea of the Plain, which is the Salt Sea (Dead Sea), and further south, terminating specifically at the slopes of Pisgah (Ashdothpisgah). The verse details precise geographical boundaries, emphasizing the reality and specific fulfillment of God's promise of land to Israel.

Deuteronomy 3 17 Context

Deuteronomy 3:17 is embedded within Moses' recapitulation of Israel's journey and conquest of the Transjordan region, prior to entering the Promised Land west of the Jordan. Chapters 1-4 of Deuteronomy serve as Moses' opening discourse, recounting God's faithfulness in guiding and enabling the Israelites to overcome formidable enemies like Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan. Specifically, verse 17 details the precise geographical boundaries of the territory already allotted to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deut 3:12-16). This was the first segment of the Promised Land that Israel possessed, affirming God's power to deliver on His covenant promises and establishing tangible ownership for these tribes even before the major campaigns in Canaan. It solidifies the divine establishment of the tribal territories, demonstrating God's sovereign control over land distribution.

Deuteronomy 3 17 Word analysis

• The plain also (Hebrew: הָעֲרָבָה, ha'Aravah): Refers specifically to the Jordan Rift Valley, a long and deep geological depression extending from below Mount Hermon south to the Red Sea. In this context, it designates the specific section of the valley through which the Jordan River flows. It is characterized by its arid, often barren nature, in contrast to the fertile highlands on either side. The mention of "also" (Hebrew: גַּם, gam) indicates this plain is in addition to the highland territories previously mentioned (Deut 3:10, 16).
• and Jordan (Hebrew: וְהַיַּרְדֵּן, v'haYarden): Refers to the Jordan River itself, which runs north to south through the Arabah. The Jordan served as a significant geographical landmark, defining the western boundary of the Transjordan territories and the eastern boundary of Canaan proper. It was both a physical barrier and a key reference point for defining territorial limits.
• and the coast thereof (Hebrew: וּגְבֻל, u'gevul): Literally "and its border/boundary." This signifies the immediate vicinity, banks, or bordering region of the Jordan River and the Arabah, defining the breadth of the territory along the valley floor. It implies the whole expanse of the plain connected to the river, not just the narrow river channel.
• from Chinnereth (Hebrew: מִכִּנְּרֶת, mi'Kinneret): Refers to the Sea of Chinnereth, also known as the Sea of Galilee, Lake of Gennesaret, or Lake Tiberias. This large freshwater lake in the northern part of the Jordan Rift Valley marked the northernmost extent of the defined plain for these tribes. It is a vital and fertile region that later became central to Jesus' ministry.
• even unto the sea of the plain (Hebrew: עַד יָם הָעֲרָבָה, ad Yam ha'Aravah): This phrase further clarifies the southern boundary. "Sea of the Plain" is a direct geographical descriptor referring to the southern body of water in the Arabah valley.
• even the salt sea (Hebrew: יָם הַמֶּלַח, Yam ha'Melaḥ): This provides the explicit and common name for "the sea of the plain," confirming it as the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is famous for its extremely high salinity and marks the lowest point on earth. Its presence highlights both geographical precision and echoes earlier biblical events of divine judgment (Sodom and Gomorrah).
• under Ashdothpisgah (Hebrew: אַשְׁדּוֹת הַפִּסְגָּה, Ashdot ha'Pisgah): This final phrase marks the specific southernmost boundary. "Ashdoth" (אַשְׁדּוֹת) means "slopes," "springs," or "ravines." "Pisgah" (הַפִּסְגָּה) refers to a mountain peak in the Abarim range east of the Jordan, specifically known as the place from which Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deut 34:1). So, "under Ashdothpisgah" defines the territory stretching to the base or foothills where the plain meets the rising slopes of this significant mountain.

Words-group analysis:

• "The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof": This phrase precisely defines the longitudinal (north-south) strip of land along the Jordan River, encompassing not just the river but its wider valley, forming the core of the allocated Transjordanian territory. It delineates a natural geographical unit.
• "from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea": This section establishes the complete north-south extent of the "plain" territory. By naming both "Chinnereth" and "Salt Sea" (with the intermediate identifier "sea of the plain"), it leaves no ambiguity regarding the long stretch of the Jordan Valley included in the inheritance.

Deuteronomy 3 17 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the precise boundaries in Deuteronomy (and later in Joshua) served multiple purposes. Firstly, it legitimized Israel's claim to the land as a divine gift, not a conquest based solely on human strength. Secondly, it provided clarity for tribal inheritance, reducing potential future disputes. The inclusion of "the Arabah" as the long Jordan Rift Valley, extending between two major "seas," highlights a key topographical feature of the Promised Land that connects various historical and future Biblical events. While the Salt Sea is a place of desolation, recalling divine judgment (Sodom and Gomorrah), the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee) would later become central to the ministry of Jesus, showing that different parts of God's allotted land would carry varied symbolic and redemptive significance across sacred history. This meticulous detailing foreshadows God's careful plans, both for physical inheritances and for His overarching redemptive narrative.

Deuteronomy 3 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:17 serves as a detailed geographical boundary marker within Moses' final instructions and historical recap. Its precision highlights God's faithfulness in granting the Israelites tangible territory as the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7, 15:18-21). The explicit naming of landmarks like the Jordan River, the Sea of Chinnereth, the Salt Sea, and Pisgah demonstrates that the promised inheritance was not a vague concept but a definite, surveyed, and measurable land. This thorough demarcation provided legal clarity for tribal allotments and emphasized the tangible nature of divine provision. While primarily a historical and geographical record, it implicitly reminds Israel that their inheritance was divinely given and specifically defined, providing security and a foundation for their nationhood under God. This detail underlines that God’s promises are precise and fully accomplished.