Numbers 32:33
And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
gave
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 28
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בֶן
and to the children
H1121
בֶן
and to the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
גָד֩
of Gad
H1410
גָד֩
of Gad
Strong's:
H1410
Word #:
5 of 28
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
בֶן
and to the children
H1121
בֶן
and to the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שֵׁ֣בֶט׀
the tribe
H7626
שֵׁ֣בֶט׀
the tribe
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
9 of 28
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
10 of 28
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
בֶן
and to the children
H1121
בֶן
and to the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַמְלֶ֔כֶת
and the kingdom
H4467
מַמְלֶ֔כֶת
and the kingdom
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
14 of 28
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
of the Amorites
H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
of the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
17 of 28
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַמְלֶ֔כֶת
and the kingdom
H4467
מַמְלֶ֔כֶת
and the kingdom
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
19 of 28
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
הַבָּשָׁ֑ן
of Bashan
H1316
הַבָּשָׁ֑ן
of Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
22 of 28
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
עָרֵ֥י
even the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
even the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
24 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
עָרֵ֥י
even the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
even the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
26 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Joshua 12:6Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.Deuteronomy 29:8And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.Joshua 22:4And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.
Historical Context
Manasseh's division (half-tribe east, half west of Jordan) created unique situation where one tribal family held inheritances on both sides of Jordan. This maintained east-west connections, though later prophets suggest it contributed to Transjordan tribes' vulnerability to foreign influence due to distance from central worship at Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 5:25-26).
Questions for Reflection
- How does half-Manasseh's unexpected inclusion in the Transjordan grant demonstrate God's exceeding-expectation provision?
- What responsibilities accompany receiving more than requested, and how can you steward beyond-expectation blessings faithfully?
- How might geographic distance from worship centers (like Manasseh's divided territory) create spiritual vulnerabilities requiring intentional countermeasures?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses gave unto them... the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—Moses formally grants Transjordan territories conquered earlier (Numbers 21:21-35) to Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh (מַחֲצֵה שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה machatzeh shevet Menasheh). The detailed geographical description (cities, territories, boundaries) creates legal documentation of land grant, preventing future disputes.
Half-Manasseh's inclusion (not mentioned in initial request, 32:1-5) suggests later negotiation or Moses' initiative distributing remaining Transjordan lands. This demonstrates that God's provision often exceeds initial requests: 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20). Faithful stewardship of requested blessings positions us for exceeding-expectation abundance.