Joshua 13:8 - With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them:

Generated Verse: Joshua 13:8

What does "Joshua 13:8" mean?


Joshua 13:8 states, "With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them:" This verse summarizes a previously established agreement and highlights several key points:

Reubenites and Gadites: These were two of the Israelite tribes. They had a unique request during the wilderness wanderings.

Received their inheritance: Instead of waiting to cross the Jordan River and claim land in Canaan, they requested land east of the Jordan because it was suitable for their large herds of livestock.

Moses gave them: Moses, as the leader appointed by God, granted their request. This was a significant decision with conditions attached.

Beyond the Jordan eastward: Specifies the location of their territory - the land east of the Jordan River.

Even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them: Emphasizes that Moses acted as God's representative in this agreement. This underscores the authority and legitimacy of the land grant. It confirms that this wasn't just a political decision but divinely sanctioned.

In essence, this verse is a reminder and affirmation that the tribes of Reuben and Gad were legitimately given land east of the Jordan by Moses, acting under the authority of God. It is important as the book of Joshua describes the division of land west of the Jordan, so this verse confirms that some tribes did not take part in that division as they had been given their land already.

Context and Significance:

Historical Context: This land division east of the Jordan occurred before the Israelite conquest of Canaan led by Joshua.
Fulfillment of Promise: It represents a partial fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites land.
Emphasis on Divine Authority: By repeatedly stating that Moses acted as "the servant of Yahweh," the verse stresses that this decision was divinely guided and legitimate.
Importance of Remembering History: It reminds the Israelites of their past agreements and the conditions attached to them.

Conditions of the Agreement (found elsewhere in the Old Testament):

The tribes of Reuben and Gad were allowed to settle east of the Jordan on the condition that their warriors would cross the Jordan with the other Israelite tribes and help conquer Canaan. Only after Canaan was secure could they return to their families and lands east of the Jordan. The story is told in Numbers 32.

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