Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, to Aroer, which is east of Rabbah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse specifies "half the land of the Ammonites," which is crucial because Israel was forbidden to take land from the Ammonites directly. This "half" was land the Amorites had previously seized from the Ammonites, meaning Israel possessed it by right of conquering their enemies, not by unlawful seizure.
Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, to Aroer, which is east of Rabbah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Gad, following Moses' initial division of lands east of the Jordan River. After the Israelites conquered Sihon, king of the Amorites, their land became part of the territory assigned to Gad, including areas previously belonging to the Ammonites that Sihon had taken. This section details the specific boundaries of Gad's inheritance, which Joshua is now formally confirming as the tribes begin to settle.
Joshua 13:25 describes a boundary that includes 'half the land of the children of Ammon.' How could they possess land that belonged to another nation?
This verse highlights a crucial aspect of the Israelite inheritance: it wasn't always pristine, untouched land. Much of what was distributed had already been conquered by their enemies, the Amorites, who in turn were defeated by the Israelites.
Why the detailed listing of cities and lands? What's the big deal about precisely mapping out these borders?
The detailed geographical descriptions in Joshua 13, like the one in verse 25, were far more than just a record-keeping exercise. They served a vital purpose for the stability and peace of the entire nation.
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Understand the original words
gebul · Hebrew Noun
Territory denotes a specific region or parcel of land defined by boundaries. In the context of Israel's history, it represents the portion of the Promised Land apportioned by God to a specific tribe or group for their dwelling and stewardship.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Conquer Amorite Kingdom
During their journey to the Promised Land, the Israelites, under Moses' leadership, decisively defeated Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who had seized control of lands east of the Jordan River. This victory included the territory of Heshbon and extended to the Ammonite border.
c. 1400 BC
Moses Assigns Land East of Jordan
Following the conquest of Sihon's kingdom, Moses distributed a significant portion of this newly acquired land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as their inheritance.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Division of Sihon's Former Territory
The tribe of Gad received an inheritance that included lands previously held by Sihon, encompassing the region of Gilead and extending to the Ammonite territory, specifically up to the border near Rabbah.
c. 1390 BC
Joshua Begins Land Allotment in Canaan
After the initial conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, the remaining land west of the Jordan was systematically surveyed and allotted to the remaining tribes, fulfilling God's promise to their ancestors.
This passage mentions that Israel sent spies to Jazer, which is listed as a city within the territory given to Gad, highlighting its historical significance before the Israelite conquest and division of land.
Deuteronomy 2:19This verse prohibits Israel from distressing or making war against the Ammonites, clarifying that the land allocated in Joshua 13:25 was territory previously conquered by the Amorites from the Ammonites, not land currently held by them.
Judges 11:15This passage details how the Ammonites had previously taken land from the Amorites, which then became the basis for Israel's claim to this portion of Ammonite territory after defeating Sihon, the Amorite king.
2 Samuel 12:26This verse describes Joab's conquest of Rabbah, the chief city of the Ammonites, further establishing its importance as a border city referenced in the land division described in Joshua.
Ezekiel 25:5This prophetic passage mentions Rabbah as an Ammonite city, showing its enduring identity and significance even centuries after the initial conquest and land division.
calvinJoshua 13:15-33: "And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families."
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Et omnes urbes planitiei, et universum regnum Sihon regis Aemorrhaei, qui regnabat in Hesbon, quem percussit Moses: et prin…
clarkeJoshua 13:25: "And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;"
Half the land on the children of Ammon - This probably was land which had been taken from the Ammonites by Sihon, king of the Amorites, and which the Israelites possessed by right of conquest. For although the Israelites were forbidden to take the land of the Ammonites, Deuteronomy 2:37 , yet this part, as having been united to the territories of…
The verse specifies "half the land of the Ammonites," which is crucial because Israel was forbidden to take land from the Ammonites directly. This "half" was land the Amorites had previously seized from the Ammonites, meaning Israel possessed it by right of conquering their enemies, not by unlawful seizure.
This passage describes the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Gad, following Moses' initial division of lands east of the Jordan River. After the Israelites conquered Sihon, king of the Amorites, their land became part of the territory assigned to Gad, including areas previously belonging to the Ammonites that Sihon had taken. This section details the specific boundaries of Gad's inheritance, which Joshua is now formally confirming as the tribes begin to settle.
This passage describes the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Gad, following Moses' initial division of lands east of the Jordan River. After the Israelites conquered Sihon, king of the Amorites, their land became part of the territory assigned to Gad, including areas previously belonging to the Ammonites that Sihon had taken. This section details the specific boundaries of Gad's inheritance, which Joshua is now formally confirming as the tribes begin to settle.
"Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, to Aroer, which is east of Rabbah," — The verse specifies "half the land of the Ammonites," which is crucial because Israel was forbidden to take land from the Ammonites directly. This "half" was land the Amorites had previously seized f…
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Last reviewed October 2026