Deuteronomy 3 20

Deuteronomy 3:20 kjv

Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

Deuteronomy 3:20 nkjv

until the LORD has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.'

Deuteronomy 3:20 niv

until the LORD gives rest to your fellow Israelites as he has to you, and they too have taken over the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. After that, each of you may go back to the possession I have given you."

Deuteronomy 3:20 esv

until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the LORD your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.'

Deuteronomy 3:20 nlt

When the LORD has given security to the rest of the Israelites, as he has to you, and when they occupy the land the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan River, then you may all return here to the land I have given you.'

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 3:20 conveys Moses' conditions to the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) for retaining their allotted land east of the Jordan River. It states that they must continue fighting alongside the other tribes until Yahweh grants "rest" (security and settled peace) to all their brothers by enabling them to fully possess the land west of the Jordan. Only after this corporate goal is achieved will the Transjordanian tribes be permitted to return to their individual inheritances that God has already granted them. The verse underscores divine provision, shared responsibility, and national unity.

Deuteronomy 3 20 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 3 is part of Moses' second major speech, where he recounts the Israelites' journey from Kadesh Barnea to the plains of Moab, specifically focusing on the defeats of Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan. Moses then details the allocation of their conquered lands east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (Dt 3:12-17). The verses immediately preceding Dt 3:20 (Dt 3:18-19) describe Moses setting the specific condition for this allocation: that these tribes, though settled, must send their armed men across the Jordan with their brothers to help conquer the land of Canaan for the remaining tribes. Verse 20 reiterates and concludes this condition, emphasizing the completion of the entire national mission before individual tribal concerns. This passage solidifies the principle of corporate responsibility and unity within the Israelite nation before their entry into the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 3 20 Word analysis

• until (`עַד`, ‘ad): Denotes a specific point in time or a condition that must be met for something else to occur. It indicates a temporal and conditional obligation.
• the LORD (`יְהוָה`, YHWH - Yahweh): Refers to the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that the ultimate source of "rest" and land is divine, not human effort alone. His promise and power ensure the outcome.
• gives rest (`יָנִיחַ`, yanuach): From the root `נוּח` (nuach), meaning "to rest, settle down, grant peace." This "rest" implies more than just ceasing from war; it signifies a state of security, peaceful habitation, and stability provided by God after the conquest and settlement of the land. It’s God’s sovereign act of bringing about peace and order.
• to your brothers (`לַאֲחֵיכֶם`, la’acheichem): Refers to the other tribes of Israel (the remaining 9½ tribes) who had yet to cross the Jordan and secure their inheritances. It highlights the familial and national solidarity demanded.
• as he has to you (`כָּכֶם`, kachchem): A direct comparison, indicating that God's provision for the Transjordan tribes (in giving them their land and peace) is a precedent and promise for the rest of Israel. It assures the Transjordanian tribes that their efforts are contributing to the same "rest" for others that they themselves have begun to experience.
• they also take possession (`וְגַם-הֵמָּה יִרְשׁוּ`, vəgam-hemmah yirshu): The verb `יִרְשׁוּ` (yirshu) is from `יָרַשׁ` (yarash), meaning "to inherit," "to possess," often by displacing or dispossessing previous inhabitants. It signifies the active appropriation and settlement of the land as an inheritance. "They also" stresses that this applies to the main body of Israel too.
• the land that the LORD your God is giving them (`אֶת-הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָהֶם`, et-ha’aretz asher YHWH Eloheichem noten lahem): Reaffirms God's direct agency and ownership of the land. The land is a divine gift, not merely conquered territory, underscoring God’s covenant faithfulness.
• beyond the Jordan (`בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן`, bə‘ēver hayyardēn): In this context, from Moses' perspective east of the Jordan, it refers to the land west of the Jordan River (Canaan proper). It distinguishes the land yet to be conquered from the land already given to the Transjordan tribes.
• Then each of you may return (`וְשַׁבְתֶּם אִישׁ`, vəshavtem ish): `שַׁבְתֶּם` (shavtem) from `שׁוּב` (shuv), "to return." This phrase clearly articulates the condition: only after the collective task is complete can individual tribal interests be prioritized. "Each of you" implies an organized and proper return, with permission granted.
• to his possession (`לִירֻשָּׁתוֹ`, lirushto): `יְרוּשָׁה` (yerushah), meaning "inheritance," "heritage," "possession." This refers to the specific parcels of land allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh east of the Jordan.
• which I have given you (`אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָכֶם`, asher natati lakhem): Moses speaks authoritatively as God's representative, emphasizing the divine grant of the land east of the Jordan. It highlights that even this land, given early, is contingent on the greater national mission.

• "until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as he has to you": This phrase highlights God's role as the sovereign Giver of peace and security (`yanuach`). The comparison ("as he has to you") emphasizes God's impartiality and consistency; He grants rest to all His people. It stresses the unified divine plan for the entire nation of Israel.
• "and they also take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them beyond the Jordan": This further defines the "rest" as complete national possession of Canaan. The double emphasis on "take possession" (`yirshu`) and God "giving" (`noten`) signifies that the inheritance is both a divine gift and requires active human effort in cooperation with God. "Beyond the Jordan" specifically refers to the land of promise (Canaan), signifying the completion of the main mission.
• "Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you": This serves as the fulfillment clause of the initial covenant condition. It makes clear that personal privilege and individual inheritance (`yerushah`) are secondary to and contingent upon fulfilling the broader, collective responsibility of the nation. It assures the Transjordan tribes their inheritance is secure but justly deferred until their national duty is discharged.

Deuteronomy 3 20 Bonus section

The concept of "rest" (menuchah) is a recurring theological theme throughout the Bible, beginning with creation's Sabbath rest and extending to the promised land. In the Old Testament, entering the land and securing rest was God's ideal for Israel. However, Israel's repeated disobedience (as recounted in Judges and later history) often disrupted this rest. The New Testament picks up this theme in Hebrews 3-4, arguing that the land of Canaan merely served as a foreshadowing of a deeper, ultimate "rest" (Sabbath-rest) for God's people, accessible through faith in Christ. This spiritual rest signifies salvation, peace with God, and participation in His completed work. Thus, Deuteronomy 3:20's initial, physical fulfillment in Joshua's time points towards a grander, enduring spiritual reality for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The demand for unity and shared mission also provides a foundational example for the Church as a corporate body with shared spiritual inheritance and a common mission.

Deuteronomy 3 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:20 articulates a crucial principle for ancient Israel and beyond: the prioritization of corporate well-being and divinely appointed mission over individual or tribal gain. Moses' command to the Transjordanian tribes underscores that their secured inheritance east of the Jordan was contingent upon their active participation in the conquest of Canaan proper, ensuring the "rest" for their "brothers." This "rest" (Hebrew: menuchah) is more than just cessation of warfare; it's a profound state of security, stability, and peace that God alone grants once His people are settled in His promised land.

The verse emphasizes divine faithfulness – God gives the land and gives rest – yet also demands human cooperation and unified action. It highlights that the entire land of promise, whether east or west of the Jordan, is Yahweh's gift. This counteracts any belief that territory is acquired solely by human strength or inherited through pagan deities. Furthermore, Moses ingeniously binds the tribes together, preventing potential schism or a selfish return, fostering national solidarity under the covenant. This principle resonates within the Christian faith, where individual blessings often come with responsibilities to the larger Body of Christ and the collective mission of God. For instance, believers are called to bear one another's burdens and seek the good of the community (Gal 6:2; Phil 2:3-4).