Numbers 32:41
And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havoth-jair.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְנַשֶּׁה֙
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁה֙
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
3 of 11
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
הָלַ֔ךְ
went
H1980
הָלַ֔ךְ
went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיִּלְכֹּ֖ד
and took
H3920
וַיִּלְכֹּ֖ד
and took
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
5 of 11
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַוֹּֽתֵיהֶ֑ם
the small towns
H2333
חַוֹּֽתֵיהֶ֑ם
the small towns
Strong's:
H2333
Word #:
7 of 11
by implication, an encampment or village
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
thereof and called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
thereof and called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 3:14Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashan-havoth-jair, unto this day.Judges 10:4And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.Joshua 13:30And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:
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 41 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.