Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 3:12
And this land, [which] we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which [is] by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
12. And this land we took ] The discourse resumed from Deu 3:10; a more exact definition of the same lands.
from Aroer by the valley of Arnon ] 13 MSS and some Versions read on the lip of A., as in Deu 2:36.
half Gilead ] As far as the Jabbo; to R e ’uben and Gad. P, Num 32:1 ff.: land of Ya‘zer and Gil e ‘ad.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
12, 13. this land, which wepossessed at that time, from Aroer . . . gave I unto the Reubenitesand to the GaditesThe whole territory occupied by Sihon wasparcelled out among the pastoral tribes of Reuben and Gad. Itextended from the north bank of the Arnon to the south half of mountGileada small mountain ridge, now called Djelaad, about six orseven miles south of the Jabbok, and eight miles in length. Thenorthern portion of Gilead and the rich pasture lands of Bashanalarge province, consisting, with the exception of a few bleak androcky spots, of strong and fertile soilwas assigned to thehalf-tribe of Manasseh.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And this land, which we possessed at that time,…. Or took possession of, having conquered it; for it still remained in their possession:
from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon: on the borders of Moab, from thence as far as Gilead was the land which was taken from Sihon king of Heshbon, De 2:36
and half Mount Gilead, and the cities thereof: which were taken from Og king of Bashan, De 3:10
gave I unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites; at their request, on certain conditions to be performed by them, afterwards repeated.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Review of the Distribution of the Conquered Land. – The land which the Israelites had taken belonging to these two kingdoms was given by Moses to the two tribes and a half for their possession, viz., the southern portion from Aroer in the Arnon valley (see at Num 32:34), and half Gilead (as far as the Jabbok: see at Deu 3:10) with its towns, which are enumerated in Jos 13:15-20 and Jos 13:24-28, to the Reubenites and Gadites; and the northern half of Gilead, with the whole of Bashan (i.e., all the region of Argob: see at Deu 3:4, and Num 32:33), to the half-tribe of Manasseh. , “ as for all Bashan,” is in apposition to “ all the region of Argob,” and the simply serves to connect it; for “all the region of Argob” was not merely one portion of Bashan, but was identical with “all Bashan,” so far as it belonged to the kingdom of Og (see at v. 4). All this region passed for a land of giants. , to be called, i.e., to be, and to be recognised as being.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Allotment of the Conquered Lands. | B. C. 1451. |
12 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites. 13 And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants. 14 Jair 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. 15 And I gave Gilead unto Machir. 16 And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 17 The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah eastward. 18 And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war. 19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you; 20 Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.
Having shown how this country which they were now in was conquered, in these verses he shows how it was settled upon the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, which we had the story of before, Num. xxxii. Here is the rehearsal. 1. Moses specifies the particular parts of the country that were allotted to each tribe, especially the distribution of the lot to the half tribe of Manasseh, the subdividing of which tribe is observable. Joseph was divided into Ephraim and Manasseh; Manasseh was divided into one half on the one side Jordan and the other half on the other side: that on the east side Jordan was again divided into two great families, which had their several allotments: Jair, v. 14, Machir, v. 15. And perhaps Jacob’s prediction of the smallness of that tribe was now accomplished in these divisions and subdivisions. Observe that Bashan is here called the land of the giants, because it had been in their possession, but Og was the last of them. These giants, it seems, had lost their country, and were rooted out of it sooner than any of their neighbours; for those who, presuming upon their strength and stature, had their hand against every man, had every man’s hand against them, and went down slain to the pit, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. 2. He repeats the condition of the grant which they had already agreed to, v. 18-20. That they should send a strong detachment over Jordan to lead the van in the conquest of Canaan, who should not return to their families, at least not to settle (though for a time they might retire thither into winter quarters, at the end of a campaign), till they had seen their brethren in as full possession of their respective allotments as they themselves were now in of theirs. They must hereby be taught not to look at their own things only, but at the things of others, Phil. ii. 4. It ill becomes an Israelite to be selfish, and to prefer any private interest before the public welfare. When we are rest we should desire to see our brethren at rest too, and should be ready to do what we can towards it; for we are not born for ourselves, but are members one of another. A good man cannot rejoice much in the comforts of his family unless withal he sees peace upon Israel, Ps. cxxviii. 6.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
12. And this land, which we possessed at that time. In this passage Moses confirms his decision, that the possession of the country beyond Jordan should be insured to the Reubenites and Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh. For, since it had fallen to them exceptionally, the matter might be brought into controversy with posterity. Lest, then, any should disturb them, he again declares that they were the rightful possessors of that district. Moreover, inasmuch as the very gift of it might be called in question, since it was situated outside the bounds of the inheritance promised by God, Moses anticipates this objection also, asserting that God had not in vain given it to be possessed by His people. Hence it follows that the right of inhabiting it was conferred upon them. Lest, then, so unequal a partition should be made a subject of contention, he marks out their boundaries on every side, as though he set up the authority of God as a wall and rampart against any who should presume to invade it.
With reference to the names of the places, the Dead Sea is called the Sea of Salt, and the Lake of Genesera or Gennesareth, Chinnereth. As to the “outpourings of the hill,” translators are not agreed; for some consider Ashdoth-Pisgah to be the proper name of a city. (220) I prefer, however, to take the word “outpourings” (effusionum) appellatively, not for fountains and streams, but for the root (of the hill) where the ground by a gentle descent seems in a manner to pour itself forth. We shall presently see that Pisgah was one of the summits of Mount Abarim.
(220) אשדת הפסגה A.V. “Ashdoth-Pisgah;” marg., “The springs of Pisgah, or, of the hill.” The LXX. in like manner only substitutes Greek letters for the Hebrew, treating both words as proper names. But when the same words occur at the close of the next chapter, our translators have placed their previous marginal translation in their text, and the LXX. instead of Φασγὰ have τὴν λαξευτήν, as though פסגה were an appellative, from פסג to cut. In construing אשדת as a noun, from אשד and rendering it effusions, C. followed S.M., as also in putting the hill for Pisgah. Our translators and Luther have agreed in rendering the former word springs, when it occurs in Jos 10:40, and 12:8; whilst the LXX. and Diodati have treated it as a proper name in both those texts. — W
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
8. EXTENT AND DIVISION OF CONQUERED EAST-SIDE LANDS (Deu. 3:12-17)
12 And this land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill-country of Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites: 13 and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half-tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, even all Bashan. (The same is called the land of Rephaim. 14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Macathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth-jair, unto this day.) 15 And I gave Gilead unto Machir. 16 And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and the border thereof, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 17 the Arabah also, and the Jordan and the border thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 3:1217
57.
Please refer to Numbers 22 through 33 for additional events in this period.
58.
Upon what condition were the two-and-half tribes granted their inheritance before the other tribes? Cf. Deu. 3:18-20 and Num. 32:16-27.
59.
Please refer to a map of the twelve tribes and memorize the location of the tribes.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 3:1217
12 When we took possession of this land, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead and its cities;
13 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, that is, all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It is called the land of Rephaim [of giant stature].
14 Jair son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, that is, Bashan, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Ma-acathites, and called the villages after his own name, Havvoth-jair, so called to this day.
15 And I gave Gilead to Mechir [son of Manasseh].
16 And to the Reubenites and Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as the boundary of it, as far over as the river Jabbok, the boundary of the Ammonites.
17 The Arabah also, with the Jordan as its boundary, from Chinnereth as far as the sea of the Arabah, the Salt [Dead] Sea, under the cliffs [of the headlands] of Pisgah on the east.
COMMENT 3:1217
The student should be locating the various geographical names of this chapter, and establishing the proper event with the proper place. So here we have Aroer, the Arnon river, Gilead, Bashan (Argob, see above), the Jabbok river, the Arabah, Chinnereth (either the sea of that name [i.e. the sea of Galilee] Num. 34:11, Jos. 13:27, or the town near the sea, Jos. 19:35), the Salt (Dead) Sea, mount Pisgah (a shoulder of mount Nebo)all mentioned in describing the boundaries of the east-side tribes: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.[26] The basic boundaries of these tribes should be committed to memoryit will help you time and again in your Bible study.
[26] And this half-tribe also had an area of the west side, north of Ephriam, extending from the plain of Sharon to the Jordanthe inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad. Num. 27:1-11, Joshua 17
Moses omits much of Israels recent history herebut it was all doubtless fresh in the minds of his hearers. In Num. 22:1, after Sihon and Og were smitten, we are told, And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho (See also Num. 33:47-49)a statement that ties right in with Deu. 1:1; Deu. 32:49; Deu. 34:1; Deu. 34:5; Deu. 34:8 in locating Israel on the plains of Moab. The account of Balaam (the Mesopotamian seer) as he tried to carry out the wishes of Balak, king of Moaba country in league with Midian against Israelis in Numbers 22-24. His curses were turned into blessings.
Fearing the result of open war, the allied nations now undertook to corrupt Israel by their friendship and by seduction. Num. 25:1 reads, And Israel abode in Shittim [very near or the same as their present location]; and the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab, and many Israelites bowed down to their gods (Num. 25:2). Many people perished by the plague that fell on the nation as a penalty (Chap. 25). After the numbering of the people (Chap. 26), the daughters of Zelophehad (descendants of Manasseh) are granted their inheritance (Num. 27:1-11); then follows Gods command to Moses to ascend mount Abarim (Pisgah) (Num. 27:12-14), Joshuas appointment as leader of Israel (Num. 27:15-23), laws for various offerings (Ch. 28), offerings for the seventh month (Ch. 29), the law of vows (Ch. 30), the slaughter of the Midianites (Ch. 31) and the settling of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh on the east side (Ch. 32), Chapter 33 gives an itinerary of Israels encampments to their present one . . . in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho . . . from Beth-jeshimoth even unto Abel-shittim (Num. 33:48-49). The exhortations and instructions of Moses from Num. 33:50 to the end of Numbers are, like those in Deuteronomy, given with a view to their settlement in Canaan.
We are making no attempt in this volume at closely harmonizing, chronologically, the events of Numbers (after Chapter 22) with those of Deuteronomyonly to say that they occurred at approximately the same time and in the same general areathe plains of Moab, not far from the mouth of the Jordan.
James 1 R THE SON OF MANASSETH TOOK ALL THE REGION OF THE ARGOB (Deu. 3:14)Naming them HAWOTH-JAIR, that is, the towns of Jair. He was a descendant of Manasseh, being the son of Segub (1Ch. 2:21-22).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
DIVISION OF THE LAND THAT WAS CONQUERED, Deu 3:12-20.
The territory taken on the east of the Jordan was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to the half tribe of Manasseh. The southern part, from Aroer in the valley of Arnon, and Gilead as far as the Jabbok, to the Reubenites and Gadites; the northern part of Gilead, with Bashan that is, the Argob to the half tribe of Manasseh.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Division of the Country
v. 12. And this land which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half Mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites. v. 13. And the rest of Gilead, v. 14. Jair, the son of Manasseh, took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi, v. 15. And I gave Gilead, v. 16. And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, v. 17. the plain also, v. 18. And I commanded you at that time, saying v. 19. But your wives and your little ones and your cattle (for I know that ye have much cattle) shall abide in your cities which I have given you, v. 20. until the Lord have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the Lord, your God, hath given them beyond Jordan,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Ver. 12. We possessed Or, we took possession of.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
All these verses, and the events recorded in them, are but a recapitulation of the history which we had before in Num 32 to which I refer. I shall only, therefore, detain the Reader with observing, that the conduct of the Reubenites and Gadites, which called forth the reproof of Moses upon that occasion, savored of what is but too often discoverable now among the LORD’S heritage, I mean a love of indolence and rest, while Zion is in warfare. Moses, of all men, had an undoubted right to feel hurt; for we know when he might have been adopted as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD. Oh! for more of this zeal and love to the cause of JESUS, in the present declining day of the church. See Heb 11:24-27 . What a delightful view is given us, in this charge of Moses to Joshua, of this man of GOD’S zeal and affection for the LORD’S cause. He appeals to Joshua’s own knowledge of what had passed, to arm him for all that was to come. Reader! one of the sweetest offices of the HOLY GHOST is to act as the Remembrancer of JESUS. And when he graciously performs this office in reminding the believer how in times past the LORD hath sustained and comforted his people, doth he not take the most effectual method in giving confidence for all that is to come? Joh 14:26 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 3:12-17
12So we took possession of this land at that time. From Aroer, which is by the valley of Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead and its cities I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites. 13The rest of Gilead and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh, all the region of Argob (concerning all Bashan, it is called the land of Rephaim. 14Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called it, that is, Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth-jair, as it is to this day.) 15To Machir I gave Gilead. 16To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even as far as the valley of Arnon, the middle of the valley as a border and as far as the river Jabbok, the border of the sons of Ammon; 17the Arabah also, with the Jordan as a border, from Chinnereth even as far as the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
Deu 3:12 Reubenites and Gadites These two tribes took over Sihons’ kingdom (cf. Jos 13:15-28).
Deu 3:13 half-tribe The sons of Joseph made up the half-tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim (cf. Gen 41:50; Gen 41:52; Gen 48:1-7). Manasseh’s inheritance was split, half on the eastern side of Jordan and half on the western side.
Deu 3:14 Jair Rather than son of this means descendant of (cf. Num 32:41). Several of the generations are skipped in this lineage. Deu 3:12-13 are general in nature and Deu 3:14-17 provide more detail (cf. NIC, Deuteronomy, Craigie, p. 121).
the son of Manasseh Son here means descendant rather than direct son (cf. 1Ch 2:22).
Geshurites and Maachathites These are different racial and ethnic groups (BDB 178 and 591). They lived on the northern border of the land of Bashan (cf. Jos 13:13). Israel did not fight these people.
Havoth-jair This means the towns, regions, or kingdom (BDB 795 II) of Jair.
as it is to this day This phrase refers to a later period than the event (cf. Deu 2:22; Deu 3:14; Deu 4:38; Deu 10:8; Deu 10:15; Deu 29:28; Jos 7:26; Jos 8:28-29; Jos 9:27; Jos 13:13; Jos 14:14; Jos 16:10; Jos 22:3; Jos 22:17; Jos 23:8; Jdg 1:21; Jdg 1:26; Jdg 10:4; Jdg 18:12; Jdg 18:30; Jdg 19:30). Deu 3:5 seems to have a similar thrust. The issue is how much later. It can refer to soon after (e.g., Jos 6:25; Jos 23:9) or it can mean generations later. Who recorded Moses words? Who arranged the Pentateuch? Who was the final editor? Modern scholarship cannot answer these questions!
Deu 3:15 To Machir Num 32:39-40 gives more information about this man.
Deu 3:17 Arabah This was another word for the Jordan Valley, which goes from above the Sea of Galilee past the Dead Sea down to the Gulf of Aqaba in the Sinai Peninsula (see note at Deu 1:1). This is a geological rift through which the Jordan River runs, from the foothills of Mt. Hermon to the Dead Sea.
Chinnereth This (BDB 490) is the name of a city in Galilee which was close to a large lake that goes by several names in the Bible
1. Chinnereth (e.g., Num 34:11; Jos 12:3; Jos 13:27)
2. Galilee (e.g., Mat 4:18; Mar 1:16; Joh 6:1)
3. Gennesaret (e.g., Luk 5:1)
4. Tiberias (e.g., Joh 6:1; Joh 21:1)
the sea of the Arabah This (cf. Deu 4:49; Jos 3:16; Jos 12:3, also called Sea of the Plain in 2Ki 14:25) is another name for the Salt Sea (cf. Gen 14:3; Num 34:3; Num 34:12; Jos 3:16; Jos 15:2; Jos 15:5; Jos 18:19) or, as it is called today, called the Dead Sea. It is also called the eastern sea (cf. Eze 47:18; Joe 2:20; Zec 14:8) or just the sea (cf. Isa 16:8; Jer 48:32).
Pisgah This mountain (BDB 820) is identified with or is very close to Mt. Nebo (BDB 612 I, cf. Deu 32:49; Deu 34:1). Possibly they are twin peaks of one formation or the name of the ridge and its highest peak. These mountains are the result of erosion of the plateau of Moab above the Arabah. This name is more common in the OT than Nebo (cf. Num 21:20; Num 23:14; Deu 3:17; Deu 3:27; Deu 4:49; Deu 34:1).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
at that time. Compare Num 32:33; Num 21:24. Jos 12:1-6; Jos 13:8-12, Jos 13:15-32.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
from Aroer: Deu 2:36, Deu 4:48, Num 32:33-38, Jos 12:2-6, Jos 13:8-12, Jos 13:14-28, 2Ki 10:33
Reciprocal: Gen 31:21 – Gilead Num 32:22 – this land Num 34:14 – General Deu 29:8 – General Jos 13:9 – Aroer Jos 13:16 – General Jos 14:3 – Moses Jos 18:7 – and Gad Jdg 12:4 – and the men 1Sa 13:7 – Gad 1Ch 5:18 – Gadites 1Ch 12:37 – the other side Psa 136:21 – General Isa 16:2 – the fords Isa 17:2 – Aroer
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5. A review of the distribution of the conquered land 3:12-20
The division of the land of these two Amorite kings among two and one-half Israelite tribes (cf. Numbers 32) further fulfilled God’s promise to give the land to His people. This extensive portion of real estate was part of the land God promised to Abraham. Moses’ earlier description of this conquest stressed Israel’s role in taking this land (Numbers 32), but in this one he stressed that it was God who gave it to them (Deu 3:20).