Verse MeaningDeuteronomySome background helps
Deuteronomy 3:12: Meaning Explained
And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and...
Deuteronomy 3:12
“And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the Reubenites and the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh;”
What Does This Verse Mean?
Moses gives the captured land to three groups of people. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half of Manasseh get land from Aroer through Bashan.
What’s Happening Here
After winning the war, Moses distributes the land fairly among the tribes. Each group gets a portion for their families.
Key Words
possessedOwned or controlled
tribeA group of families with the same ancestor
Why It Matters
This verse reminds us that fair distribution of resources and honoring commitments are timeless principles that apply to families, communities, and nations today.
Did You Know?
The 'half tribe of Manasseh' refers to the fact that this tribe received territory on both sides of the Jordan River, with the other half settling west of the Jordan in the Promised Land.
Word Study
H776
And this landהָאָ֧רֶץ
H3423
which we possessedיָרַ֖שְׁנוּ
H6256
at that timeבָּעֵ֣ת
H6177
from Aroerמֵֽעֲרֹעֵ֞ר
H5158
which is by the riverנַ֣חַל
H769
Arnonאַרְנֹ֗ן
H2677
and halfוַֽחֲצִ֤י
H2022
mountהַֽר
H1568
Gileadהַגִּלְעָד֙
H5892
and the citiesוְעָרָ֔יו
H5414
thereof gaveנָתַ֕תִּי
H7206
I unto the Reubenitesלָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֖י
H1425
and to the Gaditesוְלַגָּדִֽי׃
Continue Exploring
Read Deuteronomy 3:12 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.