Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 32:33
And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.
33. and unto the half tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph) This clause, or perhaps the whole verse, is a later addition to P . See prelim. note above.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Half the tribe of Manasseh – That is, (compare Num 32:39; Jos 17:1) the families of Machir. Moses, when assigning to the pastoral tribes the inheritance which they desired, appropriated to these Manassites especially the district they had already subdued, as a reward for their valour and exploits. Thus the whole of the conquered country was provisionally disposed of, and the forwardness anti valour of the Machirites rewarded. It seems clear from Num 32:39 and Jos 17:1, that the claims of the Machirites arose simply out of their exploits.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Half the tribe of Manasseh are here added to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, either because upon the good success of the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, they were encouraged to make the same request for themselves, as having much cattle as well as they; or because upon further consideration it was found that this portion of land was more than sufficient for those two tribes; and it was given by Moses to these rather than to any other, because they fought against the Amorites with great courage and success, here Num 32:39; Jos 17:1.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
33. half the tribe of ManassehItis nowhere explained in the record how they were incorporated withthe two tribes, or what broke this great tribe into two parts, ofwhich one was left to follow the fortunes of its brethren in thesettled life of the western hills, while the other was allowed towander as a nomadic tribe over the pasture lands of Gilead andBashan. They are not mentioned as accompanying Reuben and Gad intheir application to Moses [Nu32:1]; neither were they included in his first directions (Nu32:25); but as they also were a people addicted to pastoralpursuits and possessed as immense flocks as the other two, Mosesinvited the half of them to remain, in consequence, probably, offinding that this region was more than sufficient for the pastoralwants of the others, and he may have given them the preference, assome have conjectured, for their valorous conduct in the contestswith the Amorites (compare Num 32:39;Jos 17:1).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Moses gave unto them,…. By word of mouth, in the presence of the court, or rather by some instrument drawn up and signed by him and the sanhedrim, or witnessed by them:
[even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph; no mention is made of this half tribe joining with the other two tribes in the request to settle on this side Jordan, and therefore it is generally thought that they were encouraged, by the success of the two tribes, to make a like motion; or else Moses and the princes, observing that there was too much land for the said tribes, joined this half tribe with them, the land being suitable for them:
the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about; of which kingdoms, and the conquest of them, see Nu 21:24, and several of the cities in them are after mentioned.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Moses then gave to the sons of Gad and Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, namely, “ the land according to its towns, in (its) districts, (namely) the towns of the land round about,” i.e., the whole of the land with its towns and the districts belonging to them, or surrounding the towns. It appears strange that the half-tribe of Manasseh is included here for the first time at the close of the negotiations, whereas it is not mentioned at all in connection with the negotiations themselves. This striking fact may easily be explained, however, on the supposition that it was by the two tribes of Reuben and Gad alone that the request was made for the land of Gilead as a possession; but that when Moses granted this request, he did not overlook the fact, that some of the families of Manasseh had conquered various portions of Gilead and Bashan (Num 32:39), and therefore gave these families, at the same time, the districts which they had conquered, for their inheritance, that the whole of the conquered land might be distributed at once. As O. v. Gerlach observes, “the participation of this half-tribe in the possession is accounted for in Num 32:39.” Moses restricted himself, however, to a general conveyance of the land that had been taken on the east of the Jordan to these two and a half tribes for their inheritance, without sharing it amongst them, or fixing the boundaries of the territory of each particular tribe. That was left to the representatives of the nation mentioned in Num 32:28, and was probably not carried out till the return of the fighting men belonging to these tribes, who went with the others over the Jordan. In the verses which follow, we find only those towns mentioned which were fortified by the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and in which they constructed sheep-folds (Num 32:34-38), and the districts which the families of Manasseh had taken and received as their possession (Num 32:39-42).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
33. And Moses gave unto them. We must understand that Moses gave it in such sort, as that, relying on God’s command, he laid down an inviolable law. For, although it is not expressly stated that God interposed His authority, still His subsequent approbation fully assures us of it. So also, although no mention is made of Eleazar and the elders, still it is certain that they were not passed over, but that they were united with him in the decision; especially since the case had been brought before them by the sons of Gad and Reuben, (ver. 2.) There is only an implied contrast between the old covenant which God had made with Abraham, and this new and special privilege, wherewith He condescended to enrich His people.
At first only the two tribes had been named; half the tribe of Manasseh is now added, inasmuch as the descendants of Machir, and Jair, and Noball, who were all of the family of Manasseh, had seized upon certain cities, and men. The rendering which some give, as if they (218) had obtained these victories after Moses had permitted the Reubenites and Gadites to inhabit this side of Jordan, does not appear to me suitable; but rather the reason is given why that portion is excepted, which came to the sons of Manasseh, viz., because they were not to be defrauded of the lands which they had separately acquired. Nor is it probable, that, when the country beyond Jordan had been given to others, they afterwards made their incursion so as to appropriate what did not belong to them. The order of the narrative does not make this necessary; for it is common with the Hebrews to transpose the order of occurrences, especially when something before omitted is incidentally added to give a reason for what is done. If, however, any should prefer to believe that they were attracted by the advantage that presented itself, I will not pertinaciously contend the point.
But how does it accord that cities are said to be built which were still standing undestroyed? for we have already seen that the people who had taken them, were dwelling in them. I reply that, inasmuch as it seldom happens that cities are taken without the walls being destroyed, it is not unreasonable that the restoration of these should be called building. It was necessary that the cities should be fortified lest the unarmed multitude (219) should be exposed to the assaults of every enemy. To this end they repaired what had been thrown down, and thus in a manner renewed the cities which were a mass of ruins.
(218) C. translates the verbs in Num 32:41 in the pluperfect tense, “Jair, the son of Manasseh, had gone and taken, etc.”
(219) “La troupe des femmes et des petits enfans;” the multitude of women and little children. — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(33) And unto half the tribe of Manasseh . . . This is the first mention of the tribe of Manasseh. The application for a grant of the land on the eastern side of the Jordan appears to have been made only by the tribes of Reuben and Gad. The explanation, however, of this mention of the half tribe of Manasseh is found in Num. 32:39, from which it appears that a portion of that tribe had been chiefly, if not exclusively, engaged in the conquest of certain portions of Gilead and Bashan, and had, therefore, justly acquired a claim to the possession of the districts which they had subjugated. (See Deu. 3:13-15.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE PETITION GRANTED, Num 32:33-42.
33. Half the tribe of Manasseh It appears strange that this half tribe is included here for the first time at the close of the negotiations. Moses did not overlook the fact that some of the families of Manasseh had conquered districts in Gilead and Bashan, and, consequently, were entitled to inherit them. Num 32:39. Moreover, Eastern Palestine would be too large a portion for two tribes.
Sihon Og Num 21:21-35, notes.
With the cities In Argob, a small territory, Jahr took no less than sixty great cities, “fenced with high walls, gates, and bars, besides unwalled towns a great many.” Deu 3:4-5; Deu 3:14. “Such a statement seems all but incredible. It would not stand the arithmetic of Colenso for a moment. But, mysterious, incredible as this seemed on the spot, with my own eyes I have seen that it is literally true. The cities are there to this day.
The private houses built with colossal walls, massive stone doors, low roofs of ponderous blocks of roughly hewn stone, all point to a period far earlier than the Roman age, and probably antecedent to the conquest of the country by the Israelites.” Revelation J.L. Porter.
The Land of the Amorites in Transjordan Is Given To The Two Tribes and the Half Tribe of Manasseh ( Num 32:33-42 ).
The fulfilment of the treaty was now confirmed with the additional information that Upper Gilead and Bashan were given to the half tribe of Manasseh. We are given no indication as to when this activity took place, but it was clearly before they crossed the Jordan for it is mentioned that ‘Moses gave’. The essential first moves were therefore made before his death. It is, however possible that some of it was completed at a later date, being recorded by Moses’ scribe.
Num 32:33
‘And Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan, the land, according to the its cities with their borders, even the cities of the land round about.’
As a result of the above treaty, and no doubt as a result of one made with the half-tribe of Manasseh at a later date, the kingdoms of Sihon and Og, with the land and the cities, was given to the Gaddites, the Reubenites and the half tribe of Manasseh. This latter probably resulted from the fact that the successful generals in the northern campaign were Manassites. The gift, however was one thing, the possession of it another, especially in Upper Gilead and Bashan. For while the Amorites had been defeated and driven out, they would tend to seek to return, so that in fact some of the cities had to be retaken.
Num 32:34-36
‘And the children of Gad built (repaired and fortified) Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, and Atrothshophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah, and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, as fortified cities, and folds for sheep.’
The Gaddites immediately set about making the cities that the Israelites had sacked ready for occupation again. They repaired and fortified a number of cities in their allotment. These included Dibon, Ataroth, Nimrah (Beth-nimrah) and Jazer of those mentioned in verse 3, together with Aroer, Atrothshophan, Jogbehah, and Beth-haran, cities north of the Reubenite territory. They also erected the essential folds for the sheep.
Aroer was presumably not the one in the Arnon Valley, which would be in Reubenite territory, unless in fact the two tribes intermingled, which is very possible. Heshbon would later pass to the Gadites, and the powerful Gadites may well have wanted, with Moab over the river south of Arnon, to guard the southern border. Otherwise it may be the Aroer mentioned in Jos 13:25. Jogbehah was mentioned in the pursuit by Gideon of the later Midianite oppressors Jdg 8:11 and is probably modern Jubeihat. Beth-haran was probably a border strongpoint, and may well be identified with modern Tell Iktanu.
Num 32:37
‘And the children of Reuben built (repaired and fortified) Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim, and Nebo, and Baal-meon, their names being changed, and Sibmah. And they gave other names to the cities which they built.’
The Reubenites also set about repairing and fortifying the cities in their area. These included Heshbon, Elealeh, and Nebo, and possibly Beon (as Baal-meon), all as mentioned in Num 32:3. And they no doubt built up other structures which would act as temporary fortresses. Meanwhile the conquest of the north was going on, and Israel as a whole were preparing for the invasion.
Note that it specifically mentions that some of their names were altered. Some because they contained names of gods. Thus we should not be surprised to find them under other names. However, Moab would still call them by their old names, and when centuries later they retook them the old names would once again become prominent. The initial repairing and fortification would make them habitable and reasonably strong so as to afford a safe haven for those left behind by the fighting men in case of trouble.
Num 32:39
‘And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it.’
Meanwhile in the war against Upper Gilead and Bashan in which Og was first defeated, the children of Machir (sub-tribe of Manasseh) took Upper Gilead and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. It was what they found there that made them subsequently decide to follow in the steps of Gad and Reuben.
Num 32:40
‘And Moses gave Gilead to Machir, the son of Manasseh, and he dwelt in it.’
So on the same principles as had applied to the Gadites and the Reubenites Moses gave Upper Gilead to Machir, no doubt also with a similar treaty.
Num 32:41
‘And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its towns, and called them Havvoth-jair.’
The Manassite general, Jair, captured many ‘towns’ (encampments?) in Upper Gilead and named them ‘the tent-villages of Jair’.
Num 32:42
‘And Nobah went and took Kenath, and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.’
Another Manassite general called Nobah, took other towns and villages, including Kenath which he called Nobah after himself. A Kenath appears in several Egyptian texts of 2nd millennium BC. Many identify it with the ruins of Qanawat, but this is uncertain.
So the land of Sihon was extensively settled by the Gadites and Reubenites, while Upper Gilead and Bashan were settled by the Manassites. We must not, however, see the latter as being as simple as that. Some of the former inhabitants returned to their cities, and were no doubt a continuing problem until the serving soldiers had returned home.
In all the above it is important to recognise that the name Gilead was very fluid. We know from its mention elsewhere that it could refer to at least part of the kingdom of Sihon, it could also apply to the northern part conquered by the Manassites, and it could apply to the whole area at once.
This firm establishment of a part of Israel in land given to them by Yahweh must have come as a huge boost to the remainder of the tribes. Here they saw before their very eyes the new prosperity that was going to be theirs. Here was what they were crossing the Jordan to obtain. And having defeated Amorites here, including the fearsome Og, there was no reason why it should be any different across the river. So the recording of this in book form would serve as a huge encouragement in the days to come.
There are many lessons that we can learn from this passage. It reveals how God was able to deal with the enemies of His people and so expand their blessings. It stresses how all who serve God should be faithful to each other and fight each other’s cause. It stresses honour and integrity. It was a lesson against letting others down. It reminds us that we should not just be concerned about our own patch, but seek the blessing and expansion of others, as others once did the same in order to bring the Gospel to our patch. Its emphasis is on sharing both activity and benefits.
Num 32:33. And Moses gave unto them, &c. As the whole territory was more than sufficient for the children of Gad and Reuben, the half tribe of Manasseh is ordered to have a settlement along with them; and the reason why it was given to them was, because they had dispossessed the Amorite, and so had a fairer pretence to it than the others. See Num 32:39 and Jos 17:1. It is to be remembered, that this was not an absolute, but a conditional grant, as appears from Num 32:29. The Samaritan Pentateuch joins, throughout, the half tribe of Manasseh with the tribes of Gad and Reuben; but, as Houbigant himself thinks, improperly.
Observe, the children of half the tribe of Manasseh are here included in this grant.
Moses gave. Compare Deu 3:12. Jos 13:8; Jos 22:4.
coasts = borders, or confines.
Moses: Num 32:1, Deu 3:12-17, Deu 29:8, Jos 12:6, Jos 13:8-14, Jos 22:4
half the: Num 34:14, 1Ch 5:18, 1Ch 12:31, 1Ch 26:32
the kingdom: Num 21:23-35, Deu 2:30-33, Deu 3:1-8, Psa 135:10, Psa 135:11, Psa 136:18-21
Reciprocal: Gen 50:23 – the children Num 21:24 – Israel Num 21:25 – dwelt Num 21:31 – General Num 21:33 – Og Num 32:19 – because Deu 3:4 – all his cities Deu 3:8 – the land Deu 3:16 – Reubenites Deu 29:7 – General Deu 33:21 – a portion Deu 34:1 – showed him Jos 13:16 – General Jos 17:1 – Gilead 1Sa 13:7 – Gad 2Ki 10:33 – the land of Gilead 1Ch 5:22 – they dwelt 1Ch 12:37 – the other side Psa 136:21 – General Mar 3:8 – beyond
32:33 And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the {m} Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.
(m) The Amorites dwelled on both sides of Jordan: but here he makes mention of them that dwelt on this side: Jos 10:12 he speaks of them that inhabited beyond Jordan.
With this agreement behind them the two and one-half tribes proceeded to settle in Transjordan until called upon to cross the Jordan River as part of Israel’s fighting force.
"The eastern territory of Manasseh, divided between the clans of Makir and Jair, was essentially identical to the old kingdom of Og. The Makirites took the southern part, that is, Gilead as far south as the allocation of Reuben and Gad. The Jairites received the region north of Gilead, defined more precisely as Og’s kingdom of Argob. It presumably extended as far north as Mount Hermon and was bordered on the south by the little kingdoms of Maacah and Geshur, just above the Yarmuk (Deu 3:13-14). A third entity, Nobah, has no apparent connection with Manasseh, but took in Kenath and the surrounding villages (Num 32:42). Kenath (Qanawat) was located about sixty miles due east of the Sea of Galilee, deep in the Hauran Desert." [Note: Merrill, Kingdom of . . ., p. 91.]
Though these tribes did fulfill their military obligation (Jos 4:12-13; Jos 4:22), their plan was not a good one. It created a potential problem of disunity in Israel. Furthermore it demonstrated a desire for what looked good physically and materially (cf. Lot) in preference to what God said He would give them that they had not yet seen. Distance from the other tribes produced misunderstanding and disunity later (Joshua 22). The lack of natural defenses on the north, east, and south of Transjordan made this area especially vulnerable to attack by Israel’s enemies. This area was often the first to experience invasion, and Israel lost control of it several times in her later history (e.g., 2Ki 15:29).
Whenever the Bible mentions cities of this area allotted to Reuben, especially Heshbon and Mediba, they regularly appear to be under the control of either Moab or Ammon (Isa 15:4; Isa 16:8-9; Jer 48:2; Jer 48:45; 1Ch 19:7). Reuben is seldom even mentioned (only in Jdg 5:15-16; 2Ki 10:33; 1Ch 5:6; 1Ch 5:26; 1Ch 12:37; 1Ch 27:16) after the Moabite oppression and never in a way to show that it controlled its allotted land. [Note: Leon Wood, Israel’s United Monarchy, p. 37, n. 12.]
Transjordan was part of the land God included in the Abrahamic Covenant. However, God’s purpose for Israel at this time was to drive out the Canaanite tribes that lived primarily west of the Jordan. We may assume that if these tribes had simply followed Moses’ leadership God would have done something even better for them than what their own plan provided. This is what God often does in such situations, ample testimony to which we find throughout Scripture.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)