With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that this inheritance wasn't by lot, like the rest of the land, but was a specific grant from Moses. This emphasizes that God's provision can come through direct decree and settled promises, not always through the process of chance. It’s a reminder that foundational blessings are often divinely appointed and established by His word.
With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them:
English Standard Version (ESV)
God, recognizing Joshua's advanced age, instructs him to begin dividing the remaining land west of the Jordan among the nine-and-a-half tribes. This verse clarifies that the tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, had already received their allotted inheritance east of the Jordan from Moses, so their portion in this new division is not included. This sets the stage for describing the specific territories and boundaries of the lands still to be claimed.
Ever wonder how land was divided in ancient Israel? This verse points to a crucial decision made before Joshua even took the lead.
This verse highlights that the inheritance for the Reubenites and Gadites, along with half of Manasseh, was already established by Moses. This wasn't a new decree by Joshua, but a confirmation of a prior arrangement.
What does it mean for your inheritance to be 'even as' God commanded? This verse reminds us that God's gifts come with responsibilities.
The repetition of 'as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them' isn't just for emphasis; it connects the gift of inheritance directly to obedience and God's commands.
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Understand the original words
ebed Yahweh · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title reflecting a relationship of absolute obedience and devotion to God. It denotes one who acts as God’s representative and accomplishes His specific mission on earth.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A proper name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It is the revealed name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people.
This verse highlights that the inheritance of the tribes of Reuben and Gad was established by Moses *before* the main conquest and division of the land west of the Jordan. It clarifies that Joshua's task was to divide the remaining territories, not to re-evaluate this prior allocation.
c. 1406 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
Led by Joshua, the Israelites cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, marking the beginning of their conquest.
c. 1406 BC
Reubenites and Gadites Request Land East of Jordan
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, ask Moses to settle them on the fertile lands east of the Jordan River, rather than crossing over with the rest of Israel.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses Grants Land East of Jordan
Moses agrees to the request of the Reubenites and Gadites, granting them the territories of Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, provided they help conquer the land west of the Jordan.
c. 1405-1399 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Joshua leads the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan west of the Jordan River.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua Begins Land Allotment
With the conquest largely complete, Joshua, though old, begins the process of dividing the remaining land west of the Jordan among the nine and a half tribes by lot.
This passage directly sets the stage for Joshua 13:8, showing how the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested and were granted their inheritance east of the Jordan by Moses.
Deuteronomy 3:12-17This passage describes the inheritance given to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan, mirroring the decree mentioned in Joshua 13:8 and confirming Moses' authority in the matter.
Joshua 1:12-15This earlier command from God to Joshua in Joshua chapter 1 directly relates to the division of land, reminding the tribes of their obligation to help their brethren conquer the land west of the Jordan, even after receiving their own inheritance east of it.
Psalm 16:5-6This psalm speaks of having a beautiful inheritance and a goodly heritage, reflecting the contentment and gratitude the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and the half-tribe of Manasseh) should have felt for the land Moses granted them, as stated in Joshua 13:8.
calvinJoshua 13:1-14: "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
A Nilo qui est e regione AEgypti usque ad terminum Ecron, qui es…
gillJoshua 13:8: "With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;"
With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance,.... That is, along with the half tribe of Manasseh, but not with that half of it before mentioned, who was to haven division of a part with the nine tribes, but with the other half of the tribe settled beyond Jordan; with them the tribes of…
The verse highlights that this inheritance wasn't by lot, like the rest of the land, but was a specific grant from Moses. This emphasizes that God's provision can come through direct decree and settled promises, not always through the process of chance. It’s a reminder that foundational blessings are often divinely appointed and established by His word.
God, recognizing Joshua's advanced age, instructs him to begin dividing the remaining land west of the Jordan among the nine-and-a-half tribes. This verse clarifies that the tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, had already received their allotted inheritance east of the Jordan from Moses, so their portion in this new division is not included. This sets the stage for describing the specific territories and boundaries of the lands still to be claimed.
God, recognizing Joshua's advanced age, instructs him to begin dividing the remaining land west of the Jordan among the nine-and-a-half tribes. This verse clarifies that the tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, had already received their allotted inheritance east of the Jordan from Moses, so their portion in this new division is not included. This sets the stage for describing the specific territories and boundaries of the lands still to be claimed.
"With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them:" — The verse highlights that this inheritance wasn't by lot, like the rest of the land, but was a specific grant from Moses. This emphasizes that God's provision can come through direct decree and settl…
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Last reviewed October 2026