Numbers 32 41

Numbers 32:41 kjv

And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.

Numbers 32:41 nkjv

Also Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its small towns, and called them Havoth Jair.

Numbers 32:41 niv

Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, captured their settlements and called them Havvoth Jair.

Numbers 32:41 esv

And Jair the son of Manasseh went and captured their villages, and called them Havvoth-jair.

Numbers 32:41 nlt

The people of Jair, another clan of the tribe of Manasseh, captured many of the towns in Gilead and changed the name of that region to the Towns of Jair.

Numbers 32 verses

Numbers 32 41 Meaning

Numbers 32:41 records that Jair, a descendant from the tribe of Manasseh, actively engaged in the conquest of the land east of the Jordan. He successfully took control of various settlements, which were identified as "tent villages" or encampments. As an act of claiming possession and asserting his authority, he renamed these collective settlements "Havvoth-jair," meaning "the villages of Jair," thereby memorializing his contribution and lineage in the inherited territory.

Numbers 32 41 Context

Numbers chapter 32 recounts the request of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh to settle in the fertile Transjordanian region rather than crossing the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses initially reacts with dismay, fearing a repeat of Israel's previous lack of faith. However, after the tribes assure him that they will fight alongside their brethren until all the land of Canaan is subdued, Moses agrees to their proposal. The chapter then details the specific areas assigned to these tribes and lists some of their acts of conquest and settlement. Numbers 32:41 specifically elaborates on a contribution by Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, to the acquisition and naming of territory within his half-tribe's designated area. This act is a tangible fulfillment of their agreement to participate actively in the overall conquest.

Numbers 32 41 Word analysis

• Jair (יָאִיר - Yair): The name means "He enlightens" or "God enlightens." This identifies a specific individual, a key figure from the tribe of Manasseh. His initiative plays a significant role in establishing the claim of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Transjordan.
• son of Manasseh: This phrase clearly identifies Jair's lineage and tribal affiliation. It emphasizes his right and involvement in the tribal inheritance process. Manasseh was a son of Joseph, and his half-tribe settled east of the Jordan as part of the overall agreement.
• went and took (וַיִּלְכֹּד - vayyilkod, a form of לָכַד - lakad): While Numbers 32:41 uses וַיִּקַּח - vayyiqakh (from לָקַח - laqakh), meaning "he took" or "he seized," which implies a strong act of appropriation or conquest. The active verb indicates a decisive military or proprietorial action on Jair's part, confirming his direct involvement in acquiring the land.
• their tent villages (חַוֹּת - chavvot): This is the plural form of חַוָּה - chavvah, meaning "tent-camp," "encampment," "settlement," or "unwalled village." It refers to scattered, often semi-nomadic or rural settlements rather than fortified cities. This gives insight into the character of the settlements in the Gilead/Bashan region east of the Jordan, often suited for pasture and scattered dwellings. It contrasts with the highly fortified cities sometimes found west of the Jordan.
• and called them (וַיִּקְרָא - vayyiqra): This verb signifies the act of naming. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the naming of a place by a conqueror or first settler was a profound declaration of ownership, authority, and memorialization. It etched the person's legacy into the very geography.
• Havvoth-jair (חַוֹּת יָאִיר - Chavvot Yair): This new name directly means "the tent villages of Jair" or "the settlements of Jair." It permanently associates the captured territory with Jair's identity and lineage, serving as a lasting testament to his individual contribution to the tribal inheritance.

Numbers 32 41 Bonus section

This verse offers an interesting parallel to Numbers 32:42, where Nobah takes and names Kenath after himself, highlighting a pattern of individual leaders within the tribes taking distinct territories and marking them with their names. This collaborative, yet personally driven, method of securing the land underscores the multifaceted nature of the Israelite conquest. Furthermore, the persistent appearance of "Havvoth-jair" in later biblical texts (e.g., Judges 10:3-5; 1 Kings 4:13) confirms the enduring historical and geographical significance of this area, originally established by Jair's actions, demonstrating the long-term impact of individual contributions within God's sovereign plan for His people and their inheritance.

Numbers 32 41 Commentary

Numbers 32:41 encapsulates a significant moment in Israel's conquest and settlement of the promised land. It highlights that the process of taking possession involved not only grand battles led by figures like Joshua or tribal-wide movements, but also individual initiatives by dedicated men such as Jair. His act of seizing and renaming "tent villages" demonstrates how personal acts of faith and obedience contributed to the fulfillment of God's overarching promise to His people. The term "Havvoth-jair" itself is key; it implies a practical, less urbanized form of settlement consistent with early Israelite land appropriation, especially in the more pastoral regions east of the Jordan. This verse affirms God's plan for the distribution of the land through human agency, showing active participation and responsibility in establishing the tribal inheritances. It solidifies Jair's legacy within his tribe and the broader nation of Israel, showcasing the value of personal commitment in advancing God's divine purpose.