Joshua 13:31
half of Gilead; and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan. All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, that is, half of the descendants of Machir.
half of Gilead;

The northern portion of Gilead belonged to the eastern half of Manasseh. Its fertile pastureland, forested hills, and strategic position east of the Jordan made it a valuable inheritance.

Deu 3:12-13 So at that time we took possession of this land…
Jos 17:1 Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh…

and Ashtaroth and Edrei,

These prominent cities lay in Bashan and had been associated with Og’s rule. Israel’s possession of them testified to the Lord’s victory over the former Canaanite powers of the region.

Jos 12:4-5 And Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim…
Deu 3:10 all the cities of the plateau, all of Gilead,…

the royal cities of Og in Bashan.

Og, king of Bashan, had opposed Israel’s advance and was defeated under Moses (Numbers 21:33–35; Deut. 3:1–11). His strong kingdom and fortified cities could not withstand the God who gave Israel the land He had promised.

Deu 3:4-5 At that time we captured all sixty of his cities.…
Num 21:33-35 Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan,…

All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh,

Machir’s descendants had distinguished themselves in the conquest of Gilead and received this territory as their inheritance (Numbers 32:39–40). Their settlement preserved the tribal identity and inheritance of Manasseh east of the Jordan.

Num 32:39-40 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead,…
Deu 3:15 To Machir I gave Gilead,

that is, half of the descendants of Machir.

The tribe of Manasseh was divided between territories east and west of the Jordan. This arrangement displayed both the abundance of God’s provision and the unity of Israel, whose tribes remained one covenant people despite dwelling on opposite sides of the river.

Num 26:29 These were the descendants of Manasseh:…
1Ch 5:23-24 Now the people of the half-tribe of Manasseh…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gilead
A region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and fertile land. It was a significant area for the tribes of Israel, particularly for the descendants of Manasseh.

2. Ashtaroth
A city in Bashan, associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Astarte. It was one of the royal cities of Og, king of Bashan.

3. Edrei
Another city in Bashan, known as a place of battle where the Israelites defeated King Og.

4. Og, King of Bashan
A giant king defeated by Moses and the Israelites. His defeat marked the conquest of the land east of the Jordan.

5. Machir, Son of Manasseh
The firstborn of Manasseh, Joseph's son. His descendants received a significant portion of land due to their military prowess and leadership.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The allocation of land to the descendants of Machir demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the tribes of Israel. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives.

The Importance of Heritage and Legacy
The passage highlights the significance of family heritage and the legacy left by ancestors. Christians are encouraged to consider the spiritual legacy they are building for future generations.

Victory Through God's Power
The defeat of Og and the possession of his cities illustrate that victory comes through God's power, not human strength. Believers are reminded to rely on God in their battles.

The Role of Leadership and Courage
The descendants of Machir were known for their leadership and courage. Christians are called to be leaders in their communities, standing firm in faith and courage.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the allocation of land to the descendants of Machir reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? Can you identify other instances in the Bible where God fulfills His promises?

2. What can we learn from the legacy of Machir and his descendants about the importance of spiritual heritage in our own lives?

3. In what ways does the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, demonstrate the power of God in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles?

4. How can we apply the principles of leadership and courage demonstrated by the descendants of Machir in our daily lives and communities?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced victory through relying on God's power rather than your own strength. How did that experience strengthen your faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 3:11
Provides background on Og, king of Bashan, describing his stature and the size of his iron bed, emphasizing the miraculous victory God gave Israel over him.

Numbers 32:39-40
Details the initial conquest and settlement of the land by the descendants of Machir, highlighting their role in taking possession of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5:23-24
Chronicles the descendants of Manasseh, including the half-tribe that settled in Bashan, emphasizing their valor and leadership.
The Border KeepR. Glover Joshua 13:31
God Takes Note of Our ,Failing StrengthJ. Parker, D.D.Joshua 13:1-33
Joshua's Old AgeW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 13:1-33
More BeyondJoshua 13:1-33
On Progress in ReligionW. Jay.Joshua 13:1-33
Territory Yet to be Taken by the ChurchW. Seaton.Joshua 13:1-33
The Christian's WorkT. Guthrie, D. D.Joshua 13:1-33
The Uncompleted WorkF. B. Meyer, B. A.Joshua 13:1-33
Unconquered TerritoryCharles Vince.Joshua 13:1-33
The Inheritance of LeviW.F. Adeney Joshua 13:14, 33
People
Ammonites, Amorites, Arah, Ashdodites, Ashdothites, Ashkelonites, Avites, Avvites, Balaam, Beor, Canaanites, Debir, Ekronites, Eshkalonites, Evi, Gad, Gadites, Gazathites, Gazites, Gebalites, Geshurites, Giblites, Gittites, Hur, Israelites, Jair, Joshua, Levi, Maacah, Maacathites, Maachathites, Machir, Machirites, Manasseh, Og, Reba, Rekem, Rephaites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sidonians, Sihon, Zereth, Zidonians, Zur
Places
Aphek, Aroer, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ashtaroth, Baal-gad, Bamoth-baal, Bashan, Beth-baal-meon, Beth-baal-peor, Beth-haram, Beth-jeshimoth, Beth-nimrah, Betonim, Debir, Dibon, Edrei, Egypt, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, Geshur, Gilead, Heshbon, Jahaz, Jair, Jazer, Jericho, Jordan River, Kedemoth, Kiriathaim, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Maacath, Mahanaim, Mearah, Medeba, Mephaath, Midian, Misrephoth-maim, Moab, Mount Hermon, Pisgah, Rabbah, Ramath-mizpeh, Salecah, Sea of Chinnereth, Shihor, Sibmah, Succoth, Tirzah, Valley of the Arnon, Zaphon, Zereth-shahar
Topics
Allotted, Ashtaroth, Ash'taroth, Ashteroth, Bashan, Belonged, Cities, Clan, Descendants, Edrei, Ed're-i, Families, Gilead, Half, Kingdom, Machir, Machirites, Makir, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Og, Pertaining, Royal, Sons, Towns
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 13:1-33

     5235   boundary

Joshua 13:15-33

     5671   clan

Joshua 13:29-31

     1657   numbers, fractions

Library
October 2. "Moses Gave not any Inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their Inheritance, as He Said unto Them" (Josh. xiii. 33).
"Moses gave not any inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He said unto them" (Josh. xiii. 33). This is very significant. God gave the land to the other tribes but He gave Himself to the Levites. There is such a thing in Christian life as an inheritance from the Lord, and there is such a thing as having the Lord Himself for our inheritance. Some people get a sanctification from the Lord which is of much value, but which is variable, and often impermanent. Others have learned
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Unwon but Claimed
'There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed, ... them will I drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide thou it by lot unto Israel for an inheritance'--Joshua xiii. 1-8. Joshua was now a very old man and had occupied seven years in the conquest. His work was over, and now he had only to take steps to secure the completion by others of the triumph which he would never see. This incident has many applications to the work of the Church in the world, but not less important ones
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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