Deuteronomy 3 18

Deuteronomy 3:18 kjv

And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war.

Deuteronomy 3:18 nkjv

"Then I commanded you at that time, saying: 'The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 3:18 niv

I commanded you at that time: "The LORD your God has given you this land to take possession of it. But all your able-bodied men, armed for battle, must cross over ahead of the other Israelites.

Deuteronomy 3:18 esv

"And I commanded you at that time, saying, 'The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 3:18 nlt

"At that time I gave this command to the tribes that would live east of the Jordan: 'Although the LORD your God has given you this land as your property, all your fighting men must cross the Jordan ahead of your Israelite relatives, armed and ready to assist them.

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 18 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:18 records Moses' renewed command to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Though they had received their land inheritance east of the Jordan River from the Lord, they were obligated to send all their trained warriors, fully equipped for battle, to lead the charge across the Jordan. Their mission was to fight alongside their Israelite brethren until the rest of the tribes also possessed their inheritance in Canaan. This emphasizes the divine grant of the land came with a solemn covenant obligation for unity, selfless service, and shared responsibility in the conquest for the entire nation.

Deuteronomy 3 18 Context

Deuteronomy 3:18 is embedded within Moses' third major address to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. This particular chapter details Israel's victorious encounters with Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, whose lands are subsequently allocated. Specifically, verses 12-17 describe Moses dividing this conquered Transjordanian territory among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Verse 18 then recounts Moses’ solemn command, reiterated from the original agreement in Numbers 32, which imposes the condition upon these tribes: despite receiving their inheritance, their fighting men must lead the way across the Jordan to assist the other tribes in conquering their portions of the land. This historical reminder serves to impress upon the entire generation poised to enter Canaan the critical importance of communal responsibility, unified action, and adherence to their covenant with God. The immediate cultural context emphasized tribal solidarity and military prowess, but Moses here reframes it through the lens of divine command and national covenant.

Deuteronomy 3 18 Word analysis

• "And I commanded" (וָאֲצַוֶּה – wa'atsavveh): The verb צוה (tsawah) denotes a forceful, authoritative directive, not a mere suggestion. It emphasizes Moses acting under divine inspiration and authority, presenting a binding covenant obligation from the Lord to the people. This highlights the weight and necessity of the instruction.
• "you" (אֶתְכֶם – etchem): Refers specifically to the men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had requested land on the east side of the Jordan. This singular address focuses responsibility on them.
• "at that time" (בָּעֵת הַהִיא – ba'et hahi): This phrase refers to the original agreement and command given back in Numbers 32, serving as a reminder of their previously made pledge and obligation. It underscores the consistency of the divine expectation and their covenant promises.
• "saying" (לֵאמֹר – lemor): A common introductory particle for direct speech, introducing the precise command given.
• "The Lord your God" (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם – Yahweh Eloheikhem): Emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship God has with Israel. It’s "your God" who gives and commands, linking His benefaction directly to their duty, and underscoring His supreme authority over both land and people.
• "has given" (נָתַן – nathan): The verb denotes a complete, irreversible bestowal – a divine gift. The land is not earned or taken by their might alone, but granted by God's sovereign grace, placing responsibility upon the recipients to fulfill His purpose for the gift.
• "you this land" (הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת לְרִשְׁתָּהּ – ha'aretz ha'zot le'rish'tah): "This land" refers specifically to the territory east of the Jordan that Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh had received. "To possess it" (לְרִשְׁתָּהּ – le'rish'tah) from the root יָרַשׁ (yarash) signifies inheriting or taking possession of something belonging to another, often by driving out the current inhabitants. It solidifies their legal claim by divine decree.
• "all your men of valor" (כָּל־אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה – kol-ish milchamah): Literally "every man of war." This term signifies not just a general male population, but every physically capable and trained warrior. "Valor" (implied) refers to their readiness, skill, and courage required for combat. This signifies a full, comprehensive deployment, not just a token force.
• "shall pass over" (תַּעַבְרוּ – ta'avru): From the verb עבר (avar), meaning to cross or pass over, specifically referencing the crossing of the Jordan River into Canaan proper. This highlights a crucial, immediate military action.
• "armed" (חֲמֻשִׁים – chamushim): This Hebrew term signifies being "equipped for war," "in battle array," or "fives." The Septuagint translates it as "eirgasmenoi" (exercised) or "synarmostoi" (organized/assembled), emphasizing a ready, organized, and effective military posture, fully prepared for immediate engagement.
• "before your brethren, the sons of Israel" (לִפְנֵי אַחֵיכֶם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – lifnei acheikhem b'nei Yisra'el): "Before" implies leading, being at the vanguard of the advance, showcasing courage and setting an example. "Your brethren" and "sons of Israel" underscore the familial bond and national unity. Their commitment was not for self-gain but for the benefit and shared destiny of the entire covenant community.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "The Lord your God has given you this land to possess it": This phrase encapsulates divine sovereignty and grace. God is the active giver, bestowing inheritance based on His covenant. However, possession comes with responsibility and not just entitlement.
  • "all your men of valor shall pass over armed before your brethren, the sons of Israel": This highlights the core demand of self-sacrificial service and national unity. It requires collective military effort, readiness, and leading the way for the benefit of the wider community. It stresses that receiving blessing often entails fulfilling duties towards others within the covenant framework.

Deuteronomy 3 18 Bonus section

This verse subtly serves as a type for believers today. Just as the tribes were given an inheritance but had a responsibility to aid their brethren in their inheritance, so believers, having received spiritual blessings and "heavenly places" in Christ (Eph 1:3), are called to labor collectively for the expansion of God's Kingdom and the edification of fellow believers. The "armed" advance for conquest can be spiritually interpreted as spiritual warfare, requiring corporate engagement in the body of Christ. The principle is that no individual or group within God's people lives in isolation or merely for self-benefit; all blessings and callings carry corresponding duties of mutual support and shared mission for the greater good of God's redemptive plan. The divine command underscores that securing one's own "rest" often requires facilitating the "rest" of others.

Deuteronomy 3 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:18 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse, serving as a powerful reminder of covenant obligation and corporate responsibility within the Israelite community. It reveals that the Lord's blessings, specifically the grant of land to the Transjordanian tribes, were never without condition. Their early inheritance did not exempt them from participating in the wider national struggle; instead, it imposed a duty to actively fight for and alongside their brethren until the whole nation had received its promised rest. This divine directive challenged the human tendency toward individualism and self-interest, asserting that true blessing is interwoven with communal well-being and sacrificial service. The emphasis on "all your men of valor" passing over "armed" "before" their brethren illustrates a full, willing, and courageous engagement in the corporate effort, acting as the vanguard for the rest of Israel. It portrays God as both the benevolent Giver and the righteous Commander, whose generosity necessitates obedient and unified action from His people to realize the full scope of His promises. This passage thereby sets a vital precedent for unity and mutual aid as fundamental to God's people succeeding in their collective divine calling.