Joshua 13:31 - Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.
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What does "Joshua 13:31" mean?
Joshua 13:31 describes the territorial allocation of land to the tribe of Manasseh, specifically to the descendants of Machir, in the region east of the Jordan River. Let's break it down:
"Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei...": This identifies specific locations that are being assigned.
Half Gilead: Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River, known for its fertile land. This verse refers to the northern part of Gilead being designated to Machir's descendants.
Ashtaroth and Edrei: These were two key cities in the region of Bashan. They were important for their strategic and agricultural value.
"...the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan...": This clarifies the historical context and the previous ownership of the land. Og was a king of Bashan who was defeated by the Israelites (Numbers 21:33-35). These cities were part of his kingdom. Bashan was known for its fertile land and strong cattle.
"...were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh...": This identifies to whom the land is being given. Machir was the firstborn son of Manasseh. His descendants were a prominent clan within the tribe of Manasseh.
"...even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.": This specifies which of the descendants of Machir received this territory. It wasn't the entire clan, but rather a designated portion ("half") organized by their familial lineages. This suggests a division of the Machir clan, with only a part of it settling in this area.
In summary, the verse means:
A portion of the tribe of Manasseh, specifically the descendants of Machir, received territory east of the Jordan River. This territory included half of the Gilead region and the cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei, which had previously been part of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. This land was specifically allotted to a specific portion of the clan of Machir, based on their family groupings, and not to the entire clan.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Promise: This verse shows the Israelites following through on their promise to tribes that helped them conquer the land, like the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh (including the Machirites). They were promised land east of the Jordan if they helped the other tribes conquer Canaan.
Land Distribution: It's part of the broader narrative of the distribution of the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes after the conquest. It shows the meticulous manner in which Joshua and the leaders divided the territory according to tribal and familial lines.
Historical Context: It provides historical detail about the region and the previous inhabitants (Og and his kingdom).
This verse is a small piece of a larger picture of conquest, settlement, and the establishment of the Israelite nation in the Promised Land. It highlights the importance of lineage, land ownership, and fulfilling promises in their culture.
Joshua 13:31 - Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.
What does "Joshua 13:31" mean?
Joshua 13:31 describes the territorial allocation of land to the tribe of Manasseh, specifically to the descendants of Machir, in the region east of the Jordan River. Let's break it down:
"Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei...": This identifies specific locations that are being assigned.
Half Gilead: Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River, known for its fertile land. This verse refers to the northern part of Gilead being designated to Machir's descendants.
Ashtaroth and Edrei: These were two key cities in the region of Bashan. They were important for their strategic and agricultural value.
"...the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan...": This clarifies the historical context and the previous ownership of the land. Og was a king of Bashan who was defeated by the Israelites (Numbers 21:33-35). These cities were part of his kingdom. Bashan was known for its fertile land and strong cattle.
"...were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh...": This identifies to whom the land is being given. Machir was the firstborn son of Manasseh. His descendants were a prominent clan within the tribe of Manasseh.
"...even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.": This specifies which of the descendants of Machir received this territory. It wasn't the entire clan, but rather a designated portion ("half") organized by their familial lineages. This suggests a division of the Machir clan, with only a part of it settling in this area.
In summary, the verse means:
A portion of the tribe of Manasseh, specifically the descendants of Machir, received territory east of the Jordan River. This territory included half of the Gilead region and the cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei, which had previously been part of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. This land was specifically allotted to a specific portion of the clan of Machir, based on their family groupings, and not to the entire clan.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Promise: This verse shows the Israelites following through on their promise to tribes that helped them conquer the land, like the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh (including the Machirites). They were promised land east of the Jordan if they helped the other tribes conquer Canaan.
Land Distribution: It's part of the broader narrative of the distribution of the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes after the conquest. It shows the meticulous manner in which Joshua and the leaders divided the territory according to tribal and familial lines.
Historical Context: It provides historical detail about the region and the previous inhabitants (Og and his kingdom).
This verse is a small piece of a larger picture of conquest, settlement, and the establishment of the Israelite nation in the Promised Land. It highlights the importance of lineage, land ownership, and fulfilling promises in their culture.