Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version (But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth Jair, as well as Kenath with its surrounding settlements—sixty towns.) All these were descendants of Makir the father of Gilead. New Living Translation (But Geshur and Aram captured the Towns of Jair and also took Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages.) All these were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead. English Standard Version But Geshur and Aram took from them Havvoth-jair, Kenath, and its villages, sixty towns. All these were descendants of Machir, the father of Gilead. Berean Standard Bible But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead. King James Bible And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. New King James Version (Geshur and Syria took from them the towns of Jair, with Kenath and its towns—sixty towns.) All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. New American Standard Bible But Geshur and Aram took the villages of Jair from them, with Kenath and its villages, sixty settlements. All of these were the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. NASB 1995 But Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. NASB 1977 But Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. Legacy Standard Bible But Geshur and Aram took Havvoth-jair from them, with Kenath and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. Amplified Bible But Geshur and Aram took from them Havvoth-jair, with Kenath and its villages, sixty towns in all. All these were the sons (descendants) of Machir, the father of Gilead. Christian Standard Bible But Geshur and Aram captured Jair’s Villages along with Kenath and its surrounding villages—sixty towns. All these were the descendants of Machir father of Gilead. Holman Christian Standard Bible But Geshur and Aram captured Jair’s Villages along with Kenath and its villages—60 towns. All these were the sons of Machir father of Gilead. American Standard Version And Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and the villages thereof, even threescore cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. Contemporary English Version Some time later the nations of Geshur and Aram captured 60 towns in that region, including the villages that belonged to Jair, as well as the town of Kenath and the nearby villages. Everyone from the region of Gilead was a descendant of Machir. English Revised Version And Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and the villages thereof, even threescore cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead: GOD'S WORD® Translation Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth Jair with Kenath and its villages Good News Translation But the kingdoms of Geshur and Aram conquered sixty towns there, including the villages of Jair and Kenath, and the towns nearby. All the people who lived there were descendants of Machir, the father of Gilead. International Standard Version But Geshur and Aram took 60 towns from Gilead, including Havvoth-jair and Kenath, along with their villages. All these were descendants of Machir, who fathered Gilead. NET Bible (Geshur and Aram captured the towns of Jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding towns.) All these were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead. New Heart English Bible Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Makir the father of Gilead. Webster's Bible Translation And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath and its towns, even sixty cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead. World English Bible Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath, and its villages, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he takes Geshur and Aram, the small villages of Jair, from them, with Kenath and its small towns, sixty cities—all these [belonged to] the sons of Machir father of Gilead. Young's Literal Translation and he taketh Geshur and Aram, the small villages of Jair, from them, with Kenath and its small towns, sixty cities -- all these belonged to the sons of Machir father of Gilead. Smith's Literal Translation And he will take Geshur and Aram, with the villages of Jair from them, with Kenath and its daughters sixty cities. All these the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he took Gessur, and Aram the towns of Jair, and Canath, and the villages thereof, threescore cities. All these, the sons of Machir father of Galaad. Catholic Public Domain Version And he seized Geshur and Aram, towns of Jair, and Kenath and its villages, sixty cities. All these were sons of Machir, father of Gilead. New American Bible Geshur and Aram took from them the villages of Jair, that is, Kenath and its towns, sixty cities in all, which had belonged to the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. New Revised Standard Version But Geshur and Aram took from them Havvoth-jair, Kenath and its villages, sixty towns. All these were descendants of Machir, father of Gilead. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd after that Hezron was dead in Caleb's land, Ephrath, then his wife, bore him Eshtawir the father of Tekoa. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Geshur and Aram took Havvoth-jair from them, with Kenath, and the villages thereof, even threescore cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he took Gedsur and Aram, the towns of Jair from them; with Canath and its towns, sixty cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Galaad. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Sons of Israel…22Segub was the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. 23But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead. 24After Hezron died in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore to him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.… Cross References Numbers 32:39-42 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. / So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there. / Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, went and captured their villages and called them Havvoth-jair. ... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. Joshua 13:13 but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites to this day. Judges 10:3-5 Tola was followed by Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. / He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair. / When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon. 2 Samuel 8:2 David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. 2 Samuel 8:12 from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 2 Kings 10:33 from the Jordan eastward through all the land of Gilead (the region of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh), and from Aroer by the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan. 2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria. 1 Chronicles 5:18-22 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle. / They waged war against the Hagrites, as well as Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. / And because they cried out to God in battle, they were helped against their enemies, and the Hagrites and all their allies were delivered into their hands. Because they put their trust in God, He answered their prayers. ... 1 Chronicles 6:71-76 The Gershomites received the following: From the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan and also Ashtaroth, together with their pasturelands. / From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kedesh, Daberath, / Ramoth, and Anem, together with their pasturelands. ... 1 Chronicles 7:14 The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead. 1 Chronicles 7:29 And along the borders of Manasseh were Beth-shean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor, together with their villages. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns. 1 Chronicles 18:2 David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute. Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: Matthew 4:13-16 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ... Treasury of Scripture And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even three score cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. Geshur. Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. 2 Samuel 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. Kenath. 1 Chronicles 8:11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. Jump to Previous Aram Belonged Captured Cities Dependent Descendants Geshur Gilead Havvoth Havvoth-Jair Jair Kenath Machir Makir Places Settlements Sixty Small Surrounding Thereof Threescore Towns VillagesJump to Next Aram Belonged Captured Cities Dependent Descendants Geshur Gilead Havvoth Havvoth-Jair Jair Kenath Machir Makir Places Settlements Sixty Small Surrounding Thereof Threescore Towns Villages1 Chronicles 2 1. The sons of Israel.3. The posterity of Judah by Tamar. 13. The children of Jesse. 18. The posterity of Caleb the son of Hezron. 21. Hezron's posterity by the daughter of Machir. 25. Jerahmeel's posterity. 34. Sheshan's posterity. 42. Another branch of Caleb's posterity. 50. The posterity of Caleb the son of Hur. But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair Geshur and Aram were neighboring regions to Israel, often in conflict with the Israelites. Geshur was a small Aramean kingdom located in the region of Bashan, east of the Jordan River. Aram refers to the Aramean people, who were often adversaries of Israel. The capture of Havvoth-jair by these groups indicates a period of territorial loss for Israel. Havvoth-jair, meaning "villages of Jair," was a group of settlements in the region of Gilead, named after Jair, a descendant of Manasseh. This event reflects the ongoing struggle for control over the Transjordan area, a region frequently contested due to its strategic and fertile lands. along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead Persons / Places / Events 1. GeshurA region or people group located in the northeastern part of Bashan, often associated with Aram. They were known for their interactions and conflicts with Israel. 2. Aram A region and people group located in modern-day Syria. Aram had frequent interactions with Israel, sometimes as allies and often as adversaries. 3. Havvoth-jair A group of villages or settlements named after Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, who captured these towns. The name means "villages of Jair." 4. Kenath A city in Bashan, which was part of the territory east of the Jordan River. It was captured by Nobah, a descendant of Manasseh, and renamed after him. 5. Machir The firstborn son of Manasseh, who was a grandson of Joseph. Machir's descendants were significant in the settlement and defense of the Transjordan region. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Territorial BoundariesThe capture and loss of territories like Havvoth-jair remind us of God's sovereignty over nations and lands. Believers can trust that God is in control of geopolitical events. The Importance of Heritage and Legacy The mention of Machir and his descendants highlights the importance of family heritage and legacy. Christians are encouraged to consider the spiritual legacy they are leaving for future generations. The Consequences of Incomplete Obedience The ongoing presence of Geshur and Aram in the land serves as a reminder of the consequences of incomplete obedience to God's commands. Believers are called to fully obey God's Word to avoid future conflicts. God's Faithfulness to His Promises Despite the challenges and conflicts, God's promises to the tribes of Israel were fulfilled. This encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises in their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:23?2. How does 1 Chronicles 2:23 demonstrate God's sovereignty over Israel's territorial changes? 3. What lessons on divine justice can we learn from 1 Chronicles 2:23? 4. How does 1 Chronicles 2:23 connect to God's promises to Israel in Genesis? 5. How can understanding 1 Chronicles 2:23 strengthen our faith in God's plans today? 6. What practical steps can we take to trust God's control over our circumstances? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Chronicles 2:23? 8. How does 1 Chronicles 2:23 fit into the broader narrative of Israel's history? 9. What is the significance of Geshur and Aram in 1 Chronicles 2:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 2? 11. Why does the list of David's mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11 differ from similar lists in other biblical passages like 2 Samuel 23, and can both be historically accurate? 12. (2 Samuel 23:8 vs 1 Chronicles 11:11) Why do the records conflict on the number of enemies killed (eight hundred vs three hundred)? 13. What evidence supports the existence of the Levites and captains mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:8, and how do we reconcile any lack of external records? 14. Why do the details in 2 Chronicles 23:1-7 differ from the parallel account in 2 Kings 11, suggesting possible biblical inconsistencies? What Does 1 Chronicles 2:23 Mean But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair• The preceding verse (1 Chronicles 2:22) recalls that “Jair took the villages of Gilead and called them Havvoth-jair.” That victory had once showcased God’s faithfulness to Manasseh’s line (cf. Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14). • The word “But” signals a reversal: foreign neighbors—Geshur to the northwest of Bashan and Aram (Syria) to the northeast—later seized those same settlements. Their aggression foreshadows the uneasy border life Israel experienced whenever it tolerated nearby powers (see Judges 3:1–5; 2 Kings 13:22). • Geshur remained independent into David’s day; Absalom found refuge there with his maternal grandfather, Talmai king of Geshur (2 Samuel 13:37). The fact that these territories were still outside Israel centuries later underlines how an incomplete obedience in earlier generations resulted in chronic vulnerability. • Lesson: victories can evaporate when God’s people fail to guard what He has given. A past conquest is no substitute for present faithfulness. Along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages • Kenath, later renamed Nobah (Numbers 32:42), lay in the fertile region of Bashan, renowned for rich pastureland (Psalm 22:12). Losing it meant forfeiting provision and economic strength. • “Sixty surrounding villages” stresses scale: an entire network of communities fell. This echoes Deuteronomy 3:4, which notes “sixty cities” in Argob. What had once been a testimony to God’s largesse became evidence of Israel’s lapse. • Practical takeaways: – God gives generously, yet stewardship is required (Proverbs 27:23–27). – Spiritual drift often begins with small compromises but ends in sizable losses (Song of Songs 2:15; Hebrews 2:1). All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead • Machir, firstborn of Manasseh, received a special inheritance east of the Jordan because he was “a man of war” (Joshua 17:1). His descendants, the Gileadites, enjoyed early victories in the LORD’s name (Judges 11:1–11). • Chronicles highlights the family connection to emphasize covenant continuity: even amid setback, the tribal identity remains. God’s promises to Joseph’s line (Genesis 48:20) are not erased by temporary occupation. • This reminder encourages hope: though territory may be lost for a season, God’s plan for His people persists (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 11:29). Restoration is always possible when descendants return wholeheartedly to the LORD (2 Chronicles 7:14). summary 1 Chronicles 2:23 briefly notes that foreign powers wrested key Bashan settlements from the descendants of Machir. The verse testifies that: • victories granted by God can be forfeited through complacency, • the loss of territory affects both material well-being and spiritual witness, and • even in defeat, covenant lineage remains, leaving room for future restoration. The verse therefore urges present-day readers to guard what God has entrusted, walk in ongoing obedience, and rest in His unbroken promises. (23) And he took . . . of Gilead.--Rather, And Geshur and Aram took the Havoth-jair from them--Kenath and her daughters, sixty cities: all these (were) sons of Machir, chief of Gilead.Geshur, and Aram.--That is, the Aramean state of Geshur, north-west of Bashan, near Hermon and the Jordan, which was an independent kingdom in the age of David (2Samuel 3:3). The Geshurites "took the tent-villages of Jair from them"--i.e., from the sons of Jair, or the Jairites, at what date is unknown. Comp. Deuteronomy 3:14-15, above cited. With Kenath.--The Hebrew particle before "Kenath" may be either the sign of the object of the verb, or the preposition "with." In the latter case, the statement of the verse will be that the twenty-three villages of Jair, together with the (thirty-seven) places called Kenath and her daughters, amounting in all to sixty towns, were taken by the Geshurites. See Numbers 32:41-42, where it is said that Jair occupied the Havoth-jair, and "Nobah went and took Kenath and her daughters, and called it Nobah after his own name." Kenath is the modern Kanwat, on the western slope of Jebel Hauran. It is difficult to reconcile all the different statements about the Havoth-jair. Judges 10:3-4, for example, speaks of Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty -two years, and "had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts," and, moreover, possessed "thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day." Joshua 13:30 seems to make the Havoth-jair sixty towns. Comp. 1Kings 4:13; also 1Chronicles 2:21, where Hezron is sixty when he marries the Gileadite daughter of Machir. . . . Verse 23. - Geshur was a small district between Argob and Bashan; and Aram, commonly translated Syria, i.e. the ancient Syria, viz. the territory of Damascus. Kenath, rechristened by its subduer Nobah (Numbers 32:42), and retaining this name at the time of Gideon, and Zeba and Sahnunnah subsequently vindicated the life of its old name, and regained it, replaced in the present day by Kenawat. And the towns thereof; Hebrew literally, her daughters; i.e. the small, subordinate groups of people (Numbers 21:25, "All the villages thereof," literally, daughters). All these belonged to the sons of Machir, the father of Gilead, might perhaps be open to the translation, "All these were the possessions of Machir, the possessor of Gilead."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Geshurגְּשֽׁוּר־ (gə·šūr-) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1650: Geshur -- a territory East of the upper Jordan, also inhabitants of Geshur and Aram וַ֠אֲרָם (wa·’ă·rām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria captured וַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take Havvoth-Jair, יָאִ֧יר (yā·’îr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2971: Jair -- 'he enlightens', three Israelites along with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among Kenath קְנָ֥ת (qə·nāṯ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7079: Kenath -- a city East of the Jordan and its sixty שִׁשִּׁ֣ים (šiš·šîm) Number - common plural Strong's 8346: Sixty surrounding villages. בְּנֹתֶ֖יהָ (bə·nō·ṯe·hā) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 1323: A daughter All כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every these [were] אֵ֕לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those descendants בְּנֵ֖י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of Machir מָכִ֥יר (mā·ḵîr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4353: Machir -- two Israelites the father אֲבִי־ (’ă·ḇî-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1: Father of Gilead. גִלְעָֽד׃ (ḡil·‘āḏ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites Links 1 Chronicles 2:23 NIV1 Chronicles 2:23 NLT 1 Chronicles 2:23 ESV 1 Chronicles 2:23 NASB 1 Chronicles 2:23 KJV 1 Chronicles 2:23 BibleApps.com 1 Chronicles 2:23 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 2:23 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 2:23 French Bible 1 Chronicles 2:23 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Chronicles 2:23 Geshur and Aram took the towns (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) |
    |