Joshua 13 29

Joshua 13:29 kjv

And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.

Joshua 13:29 nkjv

Moses also had given an inheritance to half the tribe of Manasseh; it was for half the tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their families:

Joshua 13:29 niv

This is what Moses had given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the family of the descendants of Manasseh, according to its clans:

Joshua 13:29 esv

And Moses gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was allotted to the half-tribe of the people of Manasseh according to their clans.

Joshua 13:29 nlt

Moses had assigned the following area to the clans of the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 13 verses

Joshua 13 29 Meaning

Joshua 13:29 details the northern extent and significant places within the territory allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh on the eastern side of the Jordan River. It describes their boundaries starting from Mahanaim, encompassing all of Bashan, including the entire former kingdom of Og, its capital cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei, and specifically mentioning the sixty towns of Jair located within Bashan, along with half of the region of Gilead. This verse meticulously defines the inherited land.

Joshua 13 29 Context

Joshua chapter 13 transitions from recounting the complete conquest of Canaan to the detailed division of the land among the Israelite tribes. While verse 1 notes that "there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed," the subsequent verses (13:8-33) focus specifically on the territories east of the Jordan River that Moses had already apportioned before his death. These lands were given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Joshua 13:29 precisely delineates the northern part of this eastern inheritance for the half-tribe of Manasseh. This historical account functions as a detailed legal record and affirmation of God's covenant faithfulness in granting land to His people, providing a tangible fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Culturally, such detailed geographical descriptions were crucial for defining tribal boundaries, establishing legal claims, and marking areas of political and religious identity in the ancient Near East.

Joshua 13 29 Word analysis

• And their coast: ūgəḇūlām (וּגְבוּלָם). gəbūl refers to a boundary, border, or defined territory. The suffix -ām means "their." This emphasizes the specific, allotted territory of the tribe. It signifies legal and divine establishment of ownership.
• was Mahanaim: hayāh Maḥănayim (הָיָה מַחֲנַיִם). Mahanaim literally means "two camps." It's a place with historical significance, mentioned in Gen 32:2 as where Jacob encountered angels. Its inclusion here marks a recognized and important geographical landmark within their inherited region.
• all Bashan: kol habBāšān (כָּל־הַבָּשָׁן). Bashan was a renowned, fertile region east of the Jordan, noted for its rich pastures, large cattle, and robust oak trees. Its complete inclusion signifies a valuable and extensive inheritance for Manasseh.
• and all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan: wəḵol mamleḵeṯ ‘Ōg meleḵ habBāšān (וְכָל־מַמְלֶכֶת עוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן). Mamlekhet means kingdom. The explicit mention of "Og king of Bashan" reinforces the narrative of God's power through Israel in defeating a formidable, giant king (Deut 3:11), securing a significant, formerly pagan kingdom for His people. This highlights a definitive victory and fulfillment of prophecy.
• and all the towns of Jair: wəḵol ḥawwōṯ Yā’îr (וְכָל־חַוּוֹת יָאִיר). Ḥawwōṯ (plural of ḥavvāh) refers to "tent villages" or "encampments," which were small, perhaps unfortified, settlements. These towns were named after Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, who had conquered them (Num 32:41, Deut 3:14). This detail underscores the historical effort and personal contribution of specific individuals within the tribal conquest, within God's larger plan.
• which are in Bashan, threescore cities: ’ăšer baḇBāšān šiššîm ‘îr (אֲשֶׁר בַּבָּשָׁן שִׁשִּׁים עִיר). Threescore is sixty. This precise number emphasizes the vastness and multitude of settlements secured within the Bashan region, further detailing the comprehensive nature of Manasseh's inheritance.
• and half Gilead: waḥăṣî haggil‘ād (וַחֲצִי הַגִּלְעָד). Gilead was a large and important Transjordanian territory. Its division (ḥăṣî, meaning half) reflects its strategic and fertile nature, as portions were also given to other Transjordanian tribes, particularly Gad, ensuring a shared regional interest and resource.
• and Ashtaroth: wə‘AšTārōṯ (וְעַשְׁתָּרוֹת). A major city, explicitly mentioned as one of Og's capitals in Deut 1:4. Its name links to the Canaanite goddess Astarte. Its inclusion as part of Israel's inheritance signifies the divine overthrow of pagan strongholds.
• and Edrei: wə’Edre‘î (וְאֶדְרְעִי). Another major city and the site of the decisive battle against Og (Num 21:33, Deut 3:1). Its mention points to the significant military victory that secured the land.
• cities of the kingdom of Og king of Bashan: This repetition reinforces the complete subjugation of Og's kingdom and the full extent of the transfer of land ownership to the tribe of Manasseh through God's power. It underscores the divine authorization and success of the conquest.

Joshua 13 29 Bonus section

The eastern territory, though agriculturally rich, eventually faced strategic vulnerabilities due to its exposure to external pressures from desert tribes and later, Arameans and Assyrians. Its separation by the Jordan River from the main body of Israel sometimes posed challenges to tribal unity, as evidenced in Joshua 22 regarding the altar built by the Transjordanian tribes. Bashan's prosperity and natural strength, celebrated in this inheritance, also feature metaphorically in prophetic writings, for instance, referring to its sturdy oaks as symbols of strength (Isa 2:13) or its fat cows symbolizing complacent affluence (Amos 4:1).

Joshua 13 29 Commentary

Joshua 13:29 serves as a meticulously detailed territorial description for the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh. Beyond a mere list of places, it powerfully communicates the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel for land (Gen 12, 15). The repeated emphasis on "the kingdom of Og king of Bashan" is significant, not merely geographical, but theological: it reminds Israel that this prosperous land was gained through God's miraculous power over a formidable, even giant, enemy (Deut 3:11). This land was not just taken; it was a divine inheritance. The specific inclusion of "the towns of Jair" highlights that the process of inheriting the land involved not only large-scale military campaigns led by God but also individual initiative and settlement within God's overarching plan. The named cities like Mahanaim, Ashtaroth, and Edrei further ground the promise in concrete reality, signifying a comprehensive possession and the establishment of Israelite authority over former pagan centers. The details ensure tribal identity, property rights, and a constant reminder of God's faithful provision for His people.