Numbers 32:40 kjv
And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.
Numbers 32:40 nkjv
So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he dwelt in it.
Numbers 32:40 niv
So Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites, the descendants of Manasseh, and they settled there.
Numbers 32:40 esv
And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he settled in it.
Numbers 32:40 nlt
So Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites, descendants of Manasseh, and they settled there.
Numbers 32 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment of Promise & Land Allocation | ||
| Num 32:1-5 | Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock…and they came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the chiefs of the congregation… | The request for land east of Jordan. |
| Num 32:33 | So Moses gave to them, to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan… | Broad allocation to three tribes. |
| Deut 3:12-16 | And this land we took in possession at that time, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, and the half of the hill country of Gilead…I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites. | Moses' summary of eastern land division. |
| Josh 13:29-31 | To the half-tribe of Manasseh also Moses gave an inheritance…their territory was from Mahanaim through all Bashan…and all the territory of Og… | Confirmation of Manasseh's eastern portion. |
| Josh 17:1 | There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan… | Direct reference to Machir and Gilead. |
| Josh 21:38 | From the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead…and from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its pasturelands, and Bileam with its pasturelands; these were for the rest of the families of the sons of Kohath. | Cities in Gilead allocated. |
| Josh 22:7-9 | Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan; but the other half…Joshua gave an inheritance… | Distinct eastern vs. western Manasseh. |
| Deut 7:9 | Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. | God's faithfulness in promises. |
| 1 Kgs 8:56 | "Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant." | God's word fulfilled in land. |
| Ps 78:55 | He drove out nations before them; he apportioned their inheritance by lot and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. | God's role in allocating land. |
| Neh 9:8 | You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him a covenant to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites. | Covenant of land inheritance. |
| Acts 7:45 | Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it continued until the days of David. | The process of inheriting the land. |
| Significance of Gilead & Tribal Identity | ||
| Gen 31:47 | Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. | Original naming of Gilead ("heap of witness"). |
| Judg 5:17 | Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and Dan, why did he tarry by the ships? Asher sat still at the coast of the sea, staying by his landings. | Gilead as a distinct region beyond Jordan. |
| 2 Sam 2:8-9 | But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim, and he made him king over Gilead… | Gilead as a stronghold in later history. |
| 1 Chron 7:14 | The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead. | Machir as the "father" or founder of Gilead's inhabitants. |
| Hos 6:8 | Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood. | Later prophetic warnings for Gilead. |
| Theological & Spiritual Parallels | ||
| Heb 11:8-9 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance… For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. | Faith in receiving an inheritance. |
| Eph 1:11 | In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. | Spiritual inheritance in Christ. |
| Col 1:12 | Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. | Believers' share in spiritual inheritance. |
Numbers 32 verses
Numbers 32 40 Meaning
Numbers 32:40 describes a pivotal moment of land distribution and fulfillment of a prior agreement. Moses, acting under divine authority, formally grants the territory of Gilead, located on the eastern side of the Jordan River, to Machir, who is identified as the son of Manasseh. The verse concludes by confirming that Machir subsequently settled and resided in this allocated land, signifying actual possession and not just a promised future. This act demonstrates God's faithfulness in providing an inheritance to His people and Moses' role in facilitating this divine plan, while also highlighting the particular allocation to one half of the tribe of Manasseh before the main conquest of Canaan.
Numbers 32 40 Context
Numbers 32 describes the events immediately preceding the entry into the Promised Land west of the Jordan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessing numerous livestock, see the well-watered pastures of Gilead and Bashan (east of the Jordan) as ideal for their flocks. They request this land as their inheritance, prompting Moses' initial apprehension due to their perceived desire to avoid participating in the conquest of Canaan. However, after their solemn pledge to lead the assault into Canaan first and not return until the land is fully subdued for all tribes, Moses agrees to their request, promising them this eastern territory. This verse, Numbers 32:40, along with the preceding verses detailing the allocation to Reuben and Gad (Num 32:33), serves as the formal ratification and partial fulfillment of that agreement, specifically noting the division of Gilead to the Machirites, a clan within the tribe of Manasseh. This decision by Moses marks a significant early division of the Promised Land, demonstrating the tribal system's organization and the fulfillment of God's provision for His people. Historically, the area of Gilead was strategically important, lying between the Ammonites and Aram, often serving as a frontier zone for Israel. Its allocation solidified Israel's presence in this critical Transjordanian region.
Numbers 32 40 Word analysis
- And Moses: Hebrew: וַיִּתֵּ֨ן (vayitten), a connective indicating sequence, meaning "And he gave," with the subject "Moses" provided. Moses acts as the primary leader and God's chosen instrument in dispensing the land. This emphasizes his delegated authority in land distribution, which is ultimately God's to give. His leadership in establishing tribal boundaries and settlements is foundational to Israel's identity as a nation.
- gave: Hebrew: נָתַן (natan). This verb means "to give, to put, to place, to set." In this context, it signifies a formal bestowing or assigning of possession. It indicates a divinely sanctioned act of transfer, confirming a legitimate claim to the land. This act of giving highlights the covenantal aspect of God granting the land to His people.
- Gilead: Hebrew: הַגִּלְעָד (haggil’ad). This is a geographical region east of the Jordan River. The name is ancient, appearing first in Gen 31:47 (Galeed) when Jacob and Laban made a covenant. It was a fertile, desirable land, known for its pastures and forests. For the Manassites, especially Machir, securing this land showcased their strength and readiness for settlement. The name itself is thought to mean "heap of witness" or "rocky region." Its strategic location meant it was often involved in conflicts with neighboring Aram and Ammon.
- to Machir: Hebrew: לְמָכִיר (lᵉmakhîr). Machir was the firstborn son of Manasseh (Gen 50:23; 1 Chr 7:14). His descendants, the Machirites, were prominent and militarily capable. Giving the land to Machir signifies allocation to this significant clan of Manasseh, acknowledging their prowess as "men of war" who would conquer the territory (Num 32:39). This highlights the patrilineal system of inheritance and identity in ancient Israel.
- the son of Manasseh: Hebrew: בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁה (ben-menasheh). This phrase clearly defines Machir's lineage, connecting him directly to one of the tribes of Israel, a son of Joseph. It ensures that the inheritance aligns with tribal boundaries and divine decree for land division. Manasseh's decision to split and have half its tribe east of the Jordan signifies their pragmatic approach and expansionist tendencies.
- and he lived in it: Hebrew: וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בָּֽהּ (vayyeeshev bah). This signifies actual settlement and inhabitation, not merely legal possession. It implies the successful occupation and establishment of their dwellings in the allocated territory. This concluding phrase serves as proof of the fulfillment of the agreement made earlier in the chapter, demonstrating the reality of their claiming the promised land.
Numbers 32 40 Bonus section
The area of Gilead given to Machir was not conquered easily. Numbers 32:39 specifically states that the Machirites went to Gilead, attacked it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were there. This highlights that the "giving" of the land by Moses was conditional on their active participation in taking it. It was an earned inheritance, secured through military conquest, emphasizing the necessity of human effort in collaboration with divine promise. Furthermore, Machir is called "the father of Gilead" in other biblical texts (1 Chr 2:21, 7:14), suggesting not merely that he inherited it, but that his lineage largely defined or populated the region, becoming synonymous with the land itself. This reflects an ancient understanding of tribal identity intimately linked to specific territories. The unique allocation of Gilead also sets the stage for future tribal dynamics, as the tribes east of the Jordan often developed a distinct identity and faced different challenges, sometimes being seen as slightly removed from the core Israelite community west of the Jordan.
Numbers 32 40 Commentary
Numbers 32:40 is a concise yet significant verse, acting as an outcome statement following the detailed negotiations concerning the Transjordanian settlement. It affirms the specific land grant of Gilead to Machir, a powerful and prominent clan of Manasseh, a promise explicitly fulfilled by Moses. This act underscored God's faithfulness in providing land for His people and Moses' unwavering commitment to executing God's will and the promises made to the tribes. The phrase "and he lived in it" provides crucial confirmation that the grant was not just nominal but led to tangible occupation. This marked the very first tribal land allocation within the scope of the Promised Land, setting a precedent for the divisions that would occur in Canaan proper. Scholars note this distinct manner of allocation for the Transjordan tribes—by Moses, through specific negotiation and conquest—as opposed to the later division by lot under Joshua, underscoring its unique nature within Israel's early history. The verse subtly celebrates the tribal cooperation forged in the Transjordan agreement, demonstrating the blessings that follow collective obedience to the covenant and shared sacrifice in the conquest. It’s a foundational truth for understanding Israel’s identity as a landed people and a testament to the meticulous detail with which God ordained their inheritance.