Deuteronomy 3:12 - This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites:
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What does "Deuteronomy 3:12" mean?
This verse is a statement of historical record within the context of the book of Deuteronomy. It's part of Moses' recounting of the Israelite conquest of lands east of the Jordan River, before entering the Promised Land of Canaan. Let's break it down:
"This land we took in possession at that time:" This refers to the lands conquered from the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og.
"from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon..." Aroer was a city situated on the northern edge of the Arnon River, which formed the southern border of the territory being described. The valley of the Arnon was a significant geographical feature. This sets the southern boundary of the land in question.
"...and half the hill country of Gilead..." Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River. Only half of it was given to the tribes mentioned, suggesting the other half was allocated differently (as we see later in the chapter).
"...and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites:" Moses, acting under God's direction, assigned this conquered territory to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. This was not the heart of the promised land, but it was good land for grazing, something they requested.
In essence, the verse means:
Moses is reminding the Israelites that they conquered a specific territory east of the Jordan River, the southern border being near the Arnon River, encompassing half of Gilead's hill country. This land, along with its cities, was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad as their inheritance.
Significance:
Historical Narrative: The verse is part of a larger historical account establishing the Israelite's right to the land based on God's promise and their military victory.
Tribal Allocation: It demonstrates how land was divided among the tribes of Israel. Different tribes were assigned different territories, based on their needs and requests. The Reubenites and Gadites, having large herds, preferred this territory for grazing to lands west of the Jordan.
Remembering God's Provision: The recounting serves to remind the Israelites of God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises and providing for them. It's part of a pattern in Deuteronomy where Moses emphasizes obedience based on remembrance of God's past acts.
Preparation for Inheritance: It sets the stage for the instructions and laws Moses gives to the people before they enter the land of Canaan, emphasizing that their possession of the land is conditional upon their obedience to God.
So, the verse is a concise summary of a specific land allocation, providing historical context and emphasizing God's role in providing for the tribes of Israel.
Deuteronomy 3:12 - This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites:
What does "Deuteronomy 3:12" mean?
This verse is a statement of historical record within the context of the book of Deuteronomy. It's part of Moses' recounting of the Israelite conquest of lands east of the Jordan River, before entering the Promised Land of Canaan. Let's break it down:
"This land we took in possession at that time:" This refers to the lands conquered from the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og.
"from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon..." Aroer was a city situated on the northern edge of the Arnon River, which formed the southern border of the territory being described. The valley of the Arnon was a significant geographical feature. This sets the southern boundary of the land in question.
"...and half the hill country of Gilead..." Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River. Only half of it was given to the tribes mentioned, suggesting the other half was allocated differently (as we see later in the chapter).
"...and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites:" Moses, acting under God's direction, assigned this conquered territory to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. This was not the heart of the promised land, but it was good land for grazing, something they requested.
In essence, the verse means:
Moses is reminding the Israelites that they conquered a specific territory east of the Jordan River, the southern border being near the Arnon River, encompassing half of Gilead's hill country. This land, along with its cities, was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad as their inheritance.
Significance:
Historical Narrative: The verse is part of a larger historical account establishing the Israelite's right to the land based on God's promise and their military victory.
Tribal Allocation: It demonstrates how land was divided among the tribes of Israel. Different tribes were assigned different territories, based on their needs and requests. The Reubenites and Gadites, having large herds, preferred this territory for grazing to lands west of the Jordan.
Remembering God's Provision: The recounting serves to remind the Israelites of God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises and providing for them. It's part of a pattern in Deuteronomy where Moses emphasizes obedience based on remembrance of God's past acts.
Preparation for Inheritance: It sets the stage for the instructions and laws Moses gives to the people before they enter the land of Canaan, emphasizing that their possession of the land is conditional upon their obedience to God.
So, the verse is a concise summary of a specific land allocation, providing historical context and emphasizing God's role in providing for the tribes of Israel.