Deuteronomy 3:14

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, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

Jair {H2971} the son {H1121} of Manasseh {H4519} took {H3947} all the country {H2256} of Argob {H709} unto the coasts {H1366} of Geshuri {H1651} and Maachathi {H4602}; and called {H7121} them after his own name {H8034}, Bashanhavothjair {H1316}{H2334}, unto this day {H3117}.

Ya'ir the son of M'nasheh took all the region of Argov, as far as the border with the G'shuri and the Ma'akhati; he named this whole area, including Bashan, after himself -it remains Havot-Ya'ir to this day.

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.

Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth-jair, unto this day.)

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Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:14 recounts a specific detail of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the land east of the Jordan River. It highlights Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, who took control of the region of Argob, encompassing areas up to Geshuri and Maachathi, and named it after himself, calling it Bashanhavothjair, a name that persisted "unto this day" when Moses wrote or compiled this account.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of Moses's farewell address to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy, Moses reviews the past forty years, reminding the people of God's faithfulness and their history. Specifically, this verse falls within the recounting of the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose territories were conquered and subsequently allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The region of Argob was a fertile basaltic area within Bashan, known for its numerous fortified cities.

The naming of places after individuals was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, serving as a permanent marker of possession, legacy, or significant events. Jair's action here reflects the custom of establishing one's claim and leaving a lasting mark on the conquered territory. Moses's inclusion of this detail emphasizes the concrete fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land, detailing specific conquests and their subsequent allocations, as seen in the broader context of the division of the conquered land east of the Jordan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Fulfillment of Divine Promise: The verse, though specific, contributes to the overarching theme of God's faithfulness in delivering the land to Israel, as He had promised their ancestors, such as Abraham. Each piece of conquered territory, and its subsequent naming and settlement, underscores the tangible reality of God making good on His covenant.
  • Historical Record and Legacy: The detailing of Jair's specific conquest and the naming of the region after him serves as an important historical record. It highlights how individuals contributed to the larger national narrative and left a lasting legacy, symbolized by the place name "Bashanhavothjair."
  • Tribal Inheritance: This verse provides a specific instance of the half-tribe of Manasseh receiving its inheritance, demonstrating the precise and ordered way in which the Lord provided for each tribe according to their allotted portions.

Linguistic Insights

The name Bashanhavothjair (KJV) is a compound Hebrew term meaning "Bashan of Jair's tent-villages" or "Jair's villages in Bashan." The word havoth (or hawwoth) refers to "tent-villages" or "encampments," suggesting a collection of settlements or perhaps smaller, unwalled communities that Jair established or took over in the region of Bashan. This detail implies a more extensive and organized settlement than just a single conquest.

The phrase "unto this day" is a common literary device in the Pentateuch and historical books of the Old Testament. It signifies that the name or condition described persisted up to the time of the writing or compilation of the text, affirming the historical veracity and long-term impact of the events being recounted.

Practical Application

While seemingly a minor historical note, Deuteronomy 3:14 offers several enduring lessons:

  • God's Faithfulness in Detail: It reminds us that God's promises are fulfilled not just broadly, but often in precise and specific ways. Even seemingly small historical details contribute to the grand narrative of His providential care and covenant keeping.
  • The Significance of Individual Contribution: Jair's action, recorded for posterity, shows that individual efforts and legacies are part of God's larger plan. Each person's obedience and participation contribute to the advancement of His kingdom.
  • Remembering God's Works: Like Moses recounting these events to a new generation, we are called to remember and reflect on God's past faithfulness, which strengthens our faith for future challenges. The "unto this day" reminds us that God's actions have lasting consequences and should be remembered.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 32:41

    And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.

  • 2 Samuel 13:37

    But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And [David] mourned for his son every day.

  • 2 Samuel 10:6

    ¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

  • 2 Samuel 3:3

    And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of 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.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:21

    And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he [was] threescore years old; and she bare him Segub.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:23

    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.
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