Numbers 32:39
And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
H1980
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בֶּן
And the children
H1121
בֶּן
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
And the children
H1121
בֶּן
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
5 of 12
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
גִּלְעָ֖דָה
to Gilead
H1568
גִּלְעָ֖דָה
to Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
6 of 12
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֑הָ
and took
H3920
וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֑הָ
and took
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
7 of 12
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ
it and dispossessed
H3423
וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ
it and dispossessed
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
8 of 12
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
These Transjordan cities became important in later Israelite history—some served as Levitical cities, others as refuge cities. Ramoth-gilead (v.{v}) became significant battleground where King Ahab died (1 Kings 22). Archaeological excavations at sites like Heshbon, Dibon, and others confirm occupation during this period, validating biblical historical claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Scripture's detailed geographical precision demonstrate that biblical faith is historical and verifiable, not mythological or abstract?
- What does the real-world, place-specific nature of biblical narrative teach about God's involvement in actual history rather than mere spiritual ideas?
- How can you cultivate confidence in Christianity as historical religion based on events that actually occurred in space and time?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 39 continues the geographical details of tribal settlements—These verses enumerate specific cities and territories assigned to Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh in Transjordan. The detailed place names (many now archaeologically identified) demonstrate historical reliability of biblical records and emphasize that spiritual inheritance has concrete, real-world manifestation.
The extensive geographical detail teaches that God's covenant faithfulness operates in space-time history, not mythological abstraction. Christianity is fundamentally historical religion—God acts in real places at real times among real people. Luka's Gospel emphasizes this: 'In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar... the word of God came to John' (Luke 3:1-2)—biblical faith is anchored in datable, locatable historical events.