Deuteronomy 29:8
And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
Original Language Analysis
וַנִּקַּח֙
And we took
H3947
וַנִּקַּח֙
And we took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 10
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַנִּתְּנָ֣הּ
and gave
H5414
וַנִּתְּנָ֣הּ
and gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 10
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְנַֽחֲלָ֔ה
it for an inheritance
H5159
לְנַֽחֲלָ֔ה
it for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֖י
unto the Reubenites
H7206
לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֖י
unto the Reubenites
Strong's:
H7206
Word #:
6 of 10
a reubenite or descendant of reuben
וְלַגָּדִ֑י
and to the Gadites
H1425
וְלַגָּדִ֑י
and to the Gadites
Strong's:
H1425
Word #:
7 of 10
a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad
Historical Context
Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh requested Transjordan territory because it suited their large livestock herds (Numbers 32). Moses granted this with stipulation they still fight for Canaan conquest.
This territory remained vulnerable to invasion from eastern peoples and was among first lost when Assyria conquered northern Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the partnership between divine empowerment and human action teach about faith?
- How does Transjordan inheritance prefigure the greater Canaan inheritance?
- Why can settling for partial or premature inheritance create problems?
- What does permanent land grant teach about security of divine promises?
- How did geographical separation contribute to later tribal division?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. The Transjordan conquest resulted in territorial allocation to two and a half tribes. This demonstrated God's faithfulness in beginning to fulfill land promises to Abraham's descendants.
The phrase we took their land indicates Israel's active participation in conquest, though God provided the victory. Covenant blessing involves partnership - God empowers, His people act obediently. Faith without works is dead.
Giving land for an inheritance established permanent possession, not temporary occupation. This portion east of Jordan was Israel's legitimate territory by divine grant, prefiguring the larger Canaan inheritance awaiting west of Jordan.
That two and a half tribes settled east of Jordan created potential for division, later partially fulfilled when northern tribes separated from Judah. Settling for premature or partial inheritance can create problems.