Deuteronomy 3:12

DIVISION OF THE LAND THAT WAS CONQUERED, Deu_3:12-20.

The territory taken on the east of the Jordan was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to the half tribe of Manasseh. The southern part, from Aroer in the valley of Arnon, and Gilead as far as the Jabbok, to the Reubenites and Gadites; the northern part of Gilead, with Bashan — that is, the Argob — to the half tribe of Manasseh.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

3:12-20 See Num 32.

3:12 The tribes of Reuben and Gad had asked Moses to let them settle east of the Jordan rather than in Canaan, and he allowed them to do so (Num 32:1-5). • Aroer: See study note on Deut 2:36.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Having shown how this country which they were now in was conquered, in these verses he shows how it was settled upon the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, which we had the story of before, Num. 32. Here is the rehearsal. 1. Moses specifies the particular parts of the country that were allotted to each tribe, especially the distribution of the lot to the half tribe of Manasseh, the subdividing of which tribe is observable. Joseph was divided into Ephraim and Manasseh; Manasseh was divided into one half on the one side Jordan and the other half on the other side: that on the east side Jordan was again divided into two great families, which had their several allotments: Jair, Deu 3:14, Machir, Deu 3:15. And perhaps Jacob's prediction of the smallness of that tribe was now accomplished in these divisions and subdivisions. Observe that Bashan is here called the land of the giants, because it had been in their possession, but Og was the last of them. These giants, it seems, had lost their country, and were rooted out of it sooner than any of their neighbours; for those who, presuming upon their strength and stature, had their hand against every man, had every man's hand against them, and went down slain to the pit, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. 2. He repeats the condition of the grant which they had already agreed to, Deu 3:18-20. That they should send a strong detachment over Jordan to lead the van in the conquest of Canaan, who should not return to their families, at least not to settle (though for a time they might retire thither into winter quarters, at the end of a campaign), till they had seen their brethren in as full possession of their respective allotments as they themselves were now in of theirs. They must hereby be taught not to look at their own things only, but at the things of others, Phi 2:4. It ill becomes an Israelite to be selfish, and to prefer any private interest before the public welfare. When we are rest we should desire to see our brethren at rest too, and should be ready to do what we can towards it; for we are not born for ourselves, but are members one of another. A good man cannot rejoice much in the comforts of his family unless withal he sees peace upon Israel, Psa 128:6.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer . . . gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites--The whole territory occupied by Sihon was parcelled out among the pastoral tribes of Reuben and Gad. It extended from the north bank of the Arnon to the south half of mount Gilead--a small mountain ridge, now called Djelaad, about six or seven miles south of the Jabbok, and eight miles in length. The northern portion of Gilead and the rich pasture lands of Bashan--a large province, consisting, with the exception of a few bleak and rocky spots, of strong and fertile soil--was assigned to the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

12. And this land we took] The discourse resumed from Deu_3:10; a more exact definition of the same lands.

from Aroer … by the valley of Arnon] 13 MSS and some Versions read on the lip of A., as in Deu_2:36.

half … Gilead] As far as the Jabboḳ; to Re’uben and Gad. P, Num_32:1 ff.: land of Ya‘zer and Gile‘ad.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And this land, which we possessed at that time,.... Or took possession of, having conquered it; for it still remained in their possession:

from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon: on the borders of Moab, from thence as far as Gilead was the land which was taken from Sihon king of Heshbon, Deu 2:36.

and half Mount Gilead, and the cities thereof: which were taken from Og king of Bashan, Deu 3:10.

gave I unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites; at their request, on certain conditions to be performed by them, afterwards repeated.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Galaad. Moses comprises under this name all the conquered country. (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Distribution of the conquered land. The countries thus conquered by the Israelites were assigned by Moses to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. The southern portion, from Aroer, in the valley of the Amen, to the Jabbok, with its towns, (see Jos_12:15-20) was assigned to the Reubenites and the Gadites; and the northern portion, from the Jabbok, comprehending, with Gilead, the whole of Bashan, or Argob, to the half tribe of Manasseh.

Vers. 12-20. Distribution of territory.

I CONQUERED TERRITORY IS NOT TO BE LEFT UNOCCUPIED. This is a sound principle. Has a vice been conquered? replace it by a contrary virtue. Has a soul been converted? set it to Christian work. Has a new district or a portion of heathenism been won for Christ? plant it with Christian agencies, industries, and institutions. Replace bad books by good ones; sinful amusements by such as are healthful; pernicious customs by pure forms of social life. Unoccupied territory will soon fall back into the hands of the enemy.

II CONQUERED TERRITORY IS TO BE WISELY DISTRIBUTED. The distribution of the conquered districts suggests to us how, in the occupation of the fields of service which God gives her, the Church should study order, peace, and the attainment of the higher ends of possession, by wise arrangements. There should be no clashing or confusion of spheres in the kingdom of Christ. We have illustrations of the violation of this rule in the occupation of limited districts by a great number of rival Churches, often working in antagonism to each other; in the appointment of individuals to posts for which they are unsuited; in the confusion arising from workers not knowing their own departments of service, or not keeping to it when known. Whereas here:

1. Each had his portion carefully defined.

2. Respect was had to the talents and callings of those who were to occupy. "A place for cattle," "much cattle". (Num_32:1; cf. ver. 19)

3. Individuals had their own conquests secured to them (ver. 14). A man"s spiritual conquests are always secured to himself his conquests over himself; and they are his greatest possessions. True also of conquests for Christ in conversions. (1Th_2:19) Should be a principle recognized in the work of the Church.

III CONQUERED TERRITORY IS HELD ON CONDITION OF ASSISTANCE TO OTHERS. (Vers. 18-21.)

1. Each branch of the Church is to assist the others.

2. It holds its privileges on this condition.

3. The rest of all is needful to the perfect rest of any. J.O. (Heb_11:40)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Review of the Distribution of the Conquered Land. - The land which the Israelites had taken belonging to these two kingdoms was given by Moses to the two tribes and a half for their possession, viz., the southern portion from Aroer in the Arnon valley (see at Num 32:34), and half Gilead (as far as the Jabbok: see at Deu 3:10) with its towns, which are enumerated in Jos 13:15-20 and Jos 13:24-28, to the Reubenites and Gadites; and the northern half of Gilead, with the whole of Bashan (i.e., all the region of Argob: see at Deu 3:4, and Num 32:33), to the half-tribe of Manasseh. לכל־הבּשׁן, "as for all Bashan," is in apposition to "all the region of Argob," and the ל simply serves to connect it; for "all the region of Argob" was not merely one portion of Bashan, but was identical with "all Bashan," so far as it belonged to the kingdom of Og (see at v. 4). All this region passed for a land of giants. הקּרא, to be called, i.e., to be, and to be recognised as being.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

The Division of the Country

v. 12. And this land which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half Mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites. Their territory thus extended from the Arnon to the Jabbok.

v. 13. And the rest of Gilead, the northern half, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants. Cf Num 32:33.

v. 14. Jair, the son of Manasseh, took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi, the inhabitants of two small kingdoms in the foothills of Mount Hermon, still independent at the time of David, 2Sa 3:3; 2Sa 10:6; and called them after his own name, Bashan-havoth-jair, unto this day. Num 32:41.

v. 15. And I gave Gilead, the northern half, unto Machir.

v. 16. And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, the eastern half of the Jordan Valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; for their country was to the northeast of the Reubenites and the Gadites;

v. 17. the plain also, the lowlands along the Jordan, and Jordan, to the middle of the stream, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth, afterward the Sea of Galilee, even unto the sea of the plain, even the Salt Sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah eastward, which was a hill with springs near the place where the Arnon flows into the Dead Sea.

v. 18. And I commanded you at that time, saying (these words are addressed to the two and one half tribes which were to occupy the region east of the Jordan), The Lord, your God, hath given you this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war, not all those of military age and ability, but a select number, 40,000 going with the army of Israel and 60,000 remaining for the protection of the cities and herds, Num 32:20-32; Jos 4:12-13.

v. 19. But your wives and your little ones and your cattle (for I know that ye have much cattle) shall abide in your cities which I have given you,

v. 20. 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, on the west side; and then shall ye return, every man unto his possession which I have given you, Jos 22:4. True brotherly love demands that we bear one another’s burden.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

General Information:

Moses continues reminding the people of what happened in the past.

Aroer

See how you translated the name of this town in Deuteronomy 2:36.

the Valley of the Arnon

See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 2:24.

the region of Argob

See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 3:4.

The same territory is called the land of Rephaim

The writer begins to present background information about the land that the people of Israel captured. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here. (See: Background Information)

Rephaim

See how you translated the name of this land in Deuteronomy 2:11.

translationWords

possess

Gilead

Reuben

Gad

Bashan

kingdom

tribe

Manasseh

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

ואת הארץ הזאת AND THIS LAND mentioned above (v. 8), "from the brook of Arnon to Mount Hermon", ירשנו בעת ההוא WE POSSESSED AT THAT TIME.

מערער אשר על נחל ארנן FROM AROER, WHICH IS BY THE BROOK ARNON — this must not be connected with the first part of this verse (defining הארץ הזאת) but with its conclusion — with נתתי לראבני ולגדי I GAVE TO THE REUBENITES AND TO THE GADITES; however, as respects possession (taking by conquest) that was "[from the brook of Arnon] to Mount Hermon" (v. 8).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

AND THIS LAND — “this land mentioned above, from the brook of Arnon unto Mount Hermon — WE TOOK IN POSSESSION AT THAT TIME. FROM AROER, WHICH IS BY THE BROOK ARNON — this is not connected with the beginning of the verse [defining this land] but with the end thereof: I gave unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites. But as regards the possession, it was unto Mount Hermon.” This is Rashi’s language. The correct interpretation appears to me to be that the verse is stating: “and this land ‘which’ we took in possession at that time [I allocated in the following way]: from Aroer [etc.] I gave unto the Reubenites.” So also is the verse, and thou shalt let them know the way they shall walk therein [means “the way ‘which’ they shall walk therein”]. There are many similar cases.

Ramban (Nachmanides) on the Tanakh — English translation: “Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.