and half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. These were allotted to the people of Machir the son of Manasseh for the half of the people of Machir according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights how the land, including significant cities, is given not just to a tribe, but specifically to the descendants of Machir, even subdividing it among his families. This detail shows God's meticulous care in distributing inheritance, ensuring even family lines within a larger tribe receive their distinct portion.
and half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. These were allotted to the people of Machir the son of Manasseh for the half of the people of Machir according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details the final allotment of the conquered lands east of the Jordan River. Following the division for Reuben and Gad, the text specifies the inheritance given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, specifically focusing on the northern portion of Gilead and important cities within the former kingdom of King Og. This land was given to the descendants of Machir, Manasseh's son, solidifying the tribes' claims before Joshua turns to the challenging task of dividing the land west of the Jordan.
Joshua's mission wasn't just about dividing land, but about claiming territory won by God's might. This passage highlights specific cities and their powerful former owner.
This verse pinpoints cities like Ashtaroth and Edrei, which were key strongholds of Og, the king of Bashan. Og was a formidable figure, and his defeat was a major victory for Israel, demonstrating God's power over powerful pagan nations.
Why would the text mention 'Machir' when Manasseh was the patriarch? This detail reveals something important about tribal identity and lineage.
The verse states that these lands were allotted to 'the children of Machir the son of Manasseh.' This emphasis on Machir, rather than Manasseh directly, is significant.
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Dividing land wasn't just a practical matter; it was crucial for maintaining peace within the community. God's clear instructions prevented future conflict.
The detailed allocation of land, even down to specific cities and regions like 'half Gilead,' served a vital purpose beyond simply assigning territory. It was about establishing clear boundaries.
Understand the original words
Gil`ad · Hebrew Proper Noun
A geographical region east of the Jordan River known for its lush grazing lands and historically associated with the Transjordan tribes.
chatsah · Hebrew Verb
A term referring to the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, symbolizing God's sovereign gift and fulfillment of His covenant promise to provide a home for His people.
mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A genealogical and social unit in ancient Israel, representing the extended family or household, which served as the primary structure for tribal organization and land administration.
This verse details a specific land allocation within the larger context of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan, highlighting how ancestral lines and military success shaped the distribution of territory.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following the death of Moses, Joshua leads the Israelites in a divinely ordained conquest of the Promised Land, displacing various Canaanite peoples.
c. 1400 BC
Defeat of Sihon and Og
During the Israelites' approach to Canaan, they defeat Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, conquering their territories east of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC
Inheritance Allotted East of Jordan
Moses, before his death, allocates the conquered lands east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Division of Eastern Territories
Joshua and the elders oversee the final distribution of the conquered lands, including the specific allocation of half of Gilead and the cities of Bashan to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
This passage describes the same inheritance in Gilead and Bashan, emphasizing its conquest from King Og and its allocation to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Numbers 26:29This verse introduces Machir as the son of Manasseh, explaining why the inheritance is attributed to Machir's descendants, clarifying the lineage and distribution.
1 Chronicles 5:23-24This passage provides a parallel account of the inheritance east of the Jordan, specifically mentioning the half-tribe of Manasseh and their cities, reinforcing the geographical and tribal allocations.
Joshua 17:1This verse begins the description of the inheritance for the remaining portion of Manasseh's tribe in the land of Canaan, contrasting with the portion described in Joshua 13:31 and showing the full scope of Manasseh's inheritance.
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…
bensonJoshua 13:31: "And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families."
Joshua 13:31 . Children of Machir — Whom before he called the children of Manasseh, he now calls the children of Machir, because Machir was the most eminent, and, as it may seem, the only surviving son of Manasseh, Numbers 26:29 ; 1 Chronicles 7:14-16 .
This verse highlights how the land, including significant cities, is given not just to a tribe, but specifically to the descendants of Machir, even subdividing it among his families. This detail shows God's meticulous care in distributing inheritance, ensuring even family lines within a larger tribe receive their distinct portion.
This passage details the final allotment of the conquered lands east of the Jordan River. Following the division for Reuben and Gad, the text specifies the inheritance given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, specifically focusing on the northern portion of Gilead and important cities within the former kingdom of King Og. This land was given to the descendants of Machir, Manasseh's son, solidifying the tribes' claims before Joshua turns to the challenging task of dividing the land west of the Jordan.
This passage details the final allotment of the conquered lands east of the Jordan River. Following the division for Reuben and Gad, the text specifies the inheritance given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, specifically focusing on the northern portion of Gilead and important cities within the former kingdom of King Og. This land was given to the descendants of Machir, Manasseh's son, solidifying the tribes' claims before Joshua turns to the challenging task of dividing the land west of the Jordan.
"and half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. These were allotted to the people of Machir the son of Manasseh for the half of the people of Machir according to their clans." — This verse highlights how the land, including significant cities, is given not just to a tribe, but specifically to the descendants of Machir, even subdividing it among his families. This detail show…
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Last reviewed October 2026