Joshua 13 32

Joshua 13:32 kjv

These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.

Joshua 13:32 nkjv

These are the areas which Moses had distributed as an inheritance in the plains of Moab on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward.

Joshua 13:32 niv

This is the inheritance Moses had given when he was in the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho.

Joshua 13:32 esv

These are the inheritances that Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan east of Jericho.

Joshua 13:32 nlt

These are the allotments Moses had made while he was on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River, east of Jericho.

Joshua 13 verses

Joshua 13 32 Meaning

Joshua 13:32 serves as a formal declaration within the Book of Joshua, documenting that Moses, acting under God's authority, had already distributed specific territories located east of the Jordan River. This division was assigned to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The verse highlights the completion and validity of these particular land allotments before Joshua undertook the division of the land west of the Jordan. It emphasizes the foundational and binding nature of these God-given inheritances, a continuation of the divine promise and the Mosaic legacy.

Joshua 13 32 Context

Joshua chapter 13 transitions the Book of Joshua from the narrative of military conquests to the detailed account of land distribution. The opening verses establish that Joshua is old, and significant portions of the land remain to be possessed, particularly in the west. Therefore, the focus shifts to allocating territories to the tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's covenant promises. Verse 32 acts as a concluding summary for the preceding section (verses 8-31), which enumerates the kings and territories conquered by Moses east of the Jordan River and confirms their specific allotment to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This distinctly separates these existing land grants by Moses from the new tasks Joshua is now given to divide the land west of the Jordan. Historically, it ties into the culmination of the wilderness wanderings and Israel's final approach to Canaan, underscoring that certain portions of the Promised Land were already settled before the main campaign of conquest began.

Joshua 13 32 Word analysis

• These are the inheritances (`'elleh ha-naḥalot` - אֵ֚לֶּה הַנְּחָלֹ֗ות): `Naḥalot` (inheritances) denotes a fixed, legally binding, and divinely sanctioned possession. It's not merely land ownership but a secure tribal destiny and identity linked to God's covenant. This emphasizes God's providence and faithfulness in giving His people their allotted portion.
• which Moses gave (`ʾasher naṯan Mosheh` - אֲשֶׁר נָתַ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה): Affirms Mosaic authority as the divinely appointed mediator and distributor of land for that period. It solidifies the legitimacy and permanence of these specific tribal grants, establishing continuity between Moses' leadership and Joshua's. Moses acted under divine direction (Num 34:13).
• at the plains of Moab (`bə-ʿarḇōṯ Môʾaḇ` - בְּעַרְבֹ֥ות מוֹאָ֛ב): Provides precise geographical and historical context. These plains were Israel's last encampment before crossing the Jordan (Num 22:1). It highlights the critical setting where Moses delivered his final instructions and acts of governance, reinforcing the historicity and specific timeframe of these allocations.
• beyond the Jordan (`mê-ʿēḇer lay-Yardēn` - מֵעֵ֖בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן): A key topographical distinction. This phrase clearly marks the land east of the Jordan River from the perspective of Canaan. It separates these settled territories from the main part of the Promised Land that Joshua was to conquer and distribute on the west side, establishing distinct boundaries.
• by Jericho (`Yerīḥōh` - יְרֵחֹֽו): Offers a specific anchor point for the Transjordanian territory. It specifies the area opposite Jericho, a pivotal gateway city into Canaan (Josh 6). This makes the location unequivocal and recognizable, emphasizing the physical reality of the border.
• to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh: Names the specific beneficiaries. These tribes explicitly requested land east of the Jordan due to their abundant livestock (Num 32:1-5). Their inclusion here solidifies the fulfillment of that request and underscores that a significant portion of Israel's tribal inheritance was already secured and occupied before the major conquests under Joshua began. The specification of "half-tribe" indicates that Manasseh was unique in being split across both sides of the Jordan.

Joshua 13 32 Bonus section

• The emphasis on Moses giving the inheritance validates the subsequent actions of Joshua. Joshua's authority stems from his direct succession to Moses, and his division of land is the continuation of God's overarching plan initiated through Moses.
• The term "beyond the Jordan" ('ever hayyarden) can be directional based on perspective, but in the context of Joshua, coming from the east and then entering Canaan, it invariably refers to the east bank of the Jordan River.
• The settlement of the two-and-a-half tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan was not without condition. They had pledged to help the other tribes conquer the land to the west before returning to their own inheritance (Num 32:20-32, Josh 1:12-18). This verse appears after they have largely fulfilled this commitment (see Josh 22).
• This specific record reinforces the meticulous nature of divine administration and land distribution, stressing that these inheritances were permanent and irreversible aspects of God's covenant with Israel.

Joshua 13 32 Commentary

Joshua 13:32 concisely serves as a definitive statement concerning the completion of the Transjordanian land allocation. It acts as a divine ledger entry, formalizing the territories given by Moses to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This verse firmly establishes the continuity of God's plan of inheritance for Israel, linking Moses' preparatory work directly to Joshua's ongoing mission. It demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises by securing these ancestral lands, confirming that these portions of the Promised Land were already settled under Mosaic authority before the rest of the land west of the Jordan was divided by lot under Joshua. It highlights an essential phase of Israel's historical and spiritual journey into their divine possession.