This verse, Joshua 13:32, is a summary statement concluding the description of the land east of the Jordan River that Moses had already allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh before Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan to conquer the lands west of the river. Let's break it down:
"These are the inheritances...": This refers to the territories that were previously described in the preceding verses of Joshua 13. It's essentially saying, "The lands I just mentioned..."
"...which Moses distributed...": This is a key point. Moses, under God's direction, had already assigned these lands. This occurred near the end of his life, before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.
"...in the plains of Moab...": The plains of Moab were a relatively flat area east of the Dead Sea, where the Israelites had encamped for some time before Moses' death.
"...beyond the Jordan at Jericho...": This phrase pinpoints the location relative to the future main conquest. "Beyond the Jordan" means east of the Jordan River. Jericho is mentioned because it was the first major city the Israelites would conquer west of the Jordan under Joshua's leadership. So, the lands were located on the opposite side of the Jordan River from where the main conquest would begin.
"...eastward": This reinforces that the location is to the east of the Jordan River, clarifying that these inheritances were on the Transjordanian plateau.
In essence, the verse is a marker noting that:
The allocation of land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh was already completed by Moses before his death.
These lands were located east of the Jordan River, distinct from the lands Joshua was about to lead the Israelites to conquer in Canaan (west of the Jordan).
Significance:
Fulfillment of Promise: It demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promise of land to the Israelites. Even though they hadn't yet conquered all of Canaan, some tribes were already settled.
Precedent: It sets a precedent for dividing the land by lot and according to tribe.
Historical Context: It helps to understand the geographical and historical context of the book of Joshua. The tribes east of the Jordan had different circumstances and challenges than those who settled in Canaan.
Completeness: This verse completes the discription of the territories east of the Jordan.
This verse, Joshua 13:32, is a summary statement concluding the description of the land east of the Jordan River that Moses had already allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh before Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan to conquer the lands west of the river. Let's break it down:
"These are the inheritances...": This refers to the territories that were previously described in the preceding verses of Joshua 13. It's essentially saying, "The lands I just mentioned..."
"...which Moses distributed...": This is a key point. Moses, under God's direction, had already assigned these lands. This occurred near the end of his life, before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.
"...in the plains of Moab...": The plains of Moab were a relatively flat area east of the Dead Sea, where the Israelites had encamped for some time before Moses' death.
"...beyond the Jordan at Jericho...": This phrase pinpoints the location relative to the future main conquest. "Beyond the Jordan" means east of the Jordan River. Jericho is mentioned because it was the first major city the Israelites would conquer west of the Jordan under Joshua's leadership. So, the lands were located on the opposite side of the Jordan River from where the main conquest would begin.
"...eastward": This reinforces that the location is to the east of the Jordan River, clarifying that these inheritances were on the Transjordanian plateau.
In essence, the verse is a marker noting that:
The allocation of land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh was already completed by Moses before his death.
These lands were located east of the Jordan River, distinct from the lands Joshua was about to lead the Israelites to conquer in Canaan (west of the Jordan).
Significance:
Fulfillment of Promise: It demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promise of land to the Israelites. Even though they hadn't yet conquered all of Canaan, some tribes were already settled.
Precedent: It sets a precedent for dividing the land by lot and according to tribe.
Historical Context: It helps to understand the geographical and historical context of the book of Joshua. The tribes east of the Jordan had different circumstances and challenges than those who settled in Canaan.
Completeness: This verse completes the discription of the territories east of the Jordan.