Joshua 12:6

KJV

Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it [for] a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

KJV (with Strong's)

Them did Moses {H4872} the servant {H5650} of the LORD {H3068} and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} smite {H5221}: and Moses {H4872} the servant {H5650} of the LORD {H3068} gave {H5414} it for a possession {H3425} unto the Reubenites {H7206}, and the Gadites {H1425}, and the half {H2677} tribe {H7626} of Manasseh {H4519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe the servant of ADONAI, with the people of Isra'el, defeated them; and Moshe the servant of ADONAI gave it to the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M'nasheh as their possession.

Berean Standard Bible

Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites had struck them down and given their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

American Standard Version

Moses the servant of Jehovah and the children of Israel smote them: and Moses the servant of Jehovah gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 12:6 serves as a pivotal summary within the book of Joshua, meticulously recounting the decisive military victories achieved by Moses, the esteemed servant of the LORD, and the children of Israel over the Amorite and Bashanite kings east of the Jordan River. This verse then details the subsequent, divinely ordained allocation of this conquered territory as a permanent possession to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, thereby bridging the foundational work of Moses with the ongoing conquest and land distribution under Joshua.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 12 functions as a comprehensive recapitulation, consolidating the military achievements of Israel under both Moses and Joshua. This chapter acts as a grand summary, listing all the kings defeated and territories subdued, thereby concluding the narrative of conquest (chapters 1-11) before transitioning into the detailed accounts of land distribution (chapters 13-21). Specifically, [Joshua 12:6](/joshua/12-6 "Joshua 12:6 - Moses' Transjordan Conquests") serves as a crucial retrospective, drawing attention back to the significant conquests made by Moses and the Israelites *before* the main campaign in Canaan west of the Jordan. It highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that the successes under Joshua are built upon the foundational victories and divine directives established through Moses. This verse underscores the complete fulfillment of God's promise to grant Israel the land, acknowledging both the initial stages and the subsequent phases of the inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquests referenced in [Joshua 12:6](/joshua/12-6 "Joshua 12:6 - The Transjordanian Conquests") pertain to the defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, as extensively documented in [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Israel's Victory Over Sihon and Og"). These victories secured the fertile and strategically important Transjordanian plateau. The subsequent allocation of this land to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh was not an arbitrary decision but a pre-agreed arrangement, as detailed in [Numbers 32](/numbers/32 "Numbers 32 - The Settlement of the Transjordan Tribes"). These tribes had requested this territory due to its suitability for their large livestock, on the condition that their fighting men would cross the Jordan with the rest of Israel and participate fully in the conquest of Canaan proper. This arrangement highlights the pragmatic and covenantal aspects of Israel's tribal structure and land inheritance, balancing individual tribal needs with national unity and obedience to God's command.
* **Key Themes:** [Joshua 12:6](/joshua/12-6 "Joshua 12:6 - Continuity of God's Plan") powerfully reinforces several overarching themes central to the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness** to God's covenant promises, particularly the pledge to Abraham regarding the land, as seen in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham"). The fact that Moses, God's servant, successfully initiated the conquest and distribution signifies that God was actively fulfilling His word. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Continuity of God's Plan and Leadership**. By explicitly mentioning Moses, the "servant of the LORD," it links the foundational work of the Exodus generation to the current generation under Joshua, illustrating that God's overarching purpose transcends individual leaders. Thirdly, it highlights the theme of **Conquest and Possession**, demonstrating that the promised land was not merely given but had to be taken through divinely empowered military action, leading to the secure "possession" of the land as an inheritance. Finally, it touches upon **Tribal Identity and Inheritance**, showcasing how the unique needs and choices of specific tribes were accommodated within the larger divine plan for the nation of Israel, even as they settled outside the primary land of Canaan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Servant (Hebrew, _‘eved'_):** This title, "servant of the LORD" (`‘eved Yahweh`), attributed to Moses, is a profound honorific throughout the Old Testament. It denotes a person chosen, called, and uniquely commissioned by God to fulfill His purposes. For Moses, it signifies his unparalleled intimacy with God (cf. [Numbers 12:7-8](/numbers/12-7 "Numbers 12:7-8 - Moses' Unique Relationship with God")), his role as mediator of the covenant, and the divine authority underpinning all his actions, including the conquests and land distribution. The repetition of this title in the verse (and throughout the Pentateuch, e.g., [Deuteronomy 34:5](/deuteronomy/34-5 "Deuteronomy 34:5 - Moses, the Servant of the LORD")) serves to validate the legitimacy and divine backing of the events described.
* **Smite (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** The verb "smite" carries the strong connotation of a decisive, often fatal, blow or defeat. In a military context, as here, it signifies a complete routing and subjugation of an enemy. This is not merely a skirmish but a divinely enabled victory that utterly disarms and dispossesses the opposing forces. The use of `nakah` emphasizes the totality of the conquest and the overwhelming power of God working through Israel.
* **Possession (Hebrew, _yerushah'_):** This term refers to an inheritance or a permanent, legally established possession, often specifically land. It carries significant theological weight, as the land was God's promised inheritance to Israel (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The act of "giving it for a possession" signifies a formal, irrevocable transfer of ownership, divinely sanctioned and legally binding, establishing the tribes' right to inhabit and control the territory. It moves beyond mere conquest to settled, rightful ownership.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the agents and the action: Moses, acting under divine authority as "the servant of the LORD," along with the collective might of "the children of Israel," achieved a decisive military victory. The "them" refers to the kings and their territories east of the Jordan, specifically Sihon and Og, whose defeat was foundational to Israel's initial land claims. This highlights both divine leadership through Moses and human participation in the conquest.
* **"and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it [for] a possession"**: This clause shifts from conquest to allocation. Following the military victory, Moses, again identified by his authoritative title, formally distributed the conquered territory. The KJV's "[for]" implies the purpose of the giving – it was given *as* a permanent inheritance. This act underscores Moses' role not just as a military leader but as a divinely appointed administrator, ensuring the fulfillment of God's promise for Israel to possess the land.
* **"unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh."**: This final clause specifies the recipients of this eastern territory. These three tribes had made a special request to settle east of the Jordan due to their large herds, a request granted by Moses on the condition of their participation in the western conquest. Their specific mention here confirms the fulfillment of that prior agreement and highlights the unique arrangement for these tribes within the larger framework of Israel's inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Recapitulation** and **Emphasis through Repetition**. As part of a summary chapter, [Joshua 12:6](/joshua/12-6 "Joshua 12:6 - A Summary of Conquest") functions as a concise restatement of prior events (the Transjordanian conquests detailed in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Israel's Wilderness Journey and Conquests") and the land allocation in [Numbers 32](/numbers/32 "Numbers 32 - The Transjordan Settlement")). This literary device serves to consolidate the narrative, ensuring that the reader understands the complete scope of Israel's divinely assisted victories. The phrase "Moses the servant of the LORD" is repeated within the single verse, serving as a powerful device of **Emphasis**. This repetition underscores Moses' pivotal role, his divine authority, and the continuity of God's plan. It validates the legitimacy of the conquests and the land distribution, signaling that these were not mere human endeavors but actions sanctioned and empowered by God through His chosen leader. The verse also implicitly uses **Synecdoche**, where "Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel" represents the entire nation acting under divine guidance, with Moses as the primary agent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:6, while a concise historical summary, is rich with theological implications. It powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the ancient pledge to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land (cf. [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). The verse demonstrates that God's plan for Israel's inheritance was not contingent on a single leader but was a continuous, unfolding process, orchestrated by Him through various instruments. Moses' foundational work in securing the Transjordanian territory was an indispensable precursor to Joshua's subsequent campaigns, highlighting the divine orchestration of history and the interconnectedness of God's redemptive acts. The "possession" of the land was not merely a military acquisition but a fulfillment of divine decree, establishing Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people in their promised inheritance.

* [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21 "Numbers 21:21-35 - The Defeat of Sihon and Og")
* [Numbers 32:33](/numbers/32-33 "Numbers 32:33 - The Allocation of Transjordanian Land")
* [Deuteronomy 3:12-17](/deuteronomy/3-12 "Deuteronomy 3:12-17 - Moses' Distribution of Transjordan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 12:6 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's grand purposes often unfold through a succession of faithful individuals, each building upon the work of those who came before. Just as Moses laid the groundwork for Joshua, our spiritual journeys and collective ministries are often built upon the faithful foundations established by past generations. This verse encourages us to honor and acknowledge the foundational work of others, recognizing that God's ultimate plan is far grander than any single individual's contribution. It speaks to the certainty of God's promises: what He begins, He will surely bring to completion, even if the means or timing differ from our expectations. We are called to be faithful in our assigned tasks, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, knowing that our efforts contribute to a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative. Furthermore, the concept of "possession" reminds us that God's blessings and spiritual inheritance are not merely theoretical but are meant to be actively claimed and lived out in our lives, requiring both divine provision and human participation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the continuity of God's work, from Moses to Joshua, impact your understanding of your own role in God's kingdom today?**
* **In what ways can you honor the "foundational work" of those who have gone before you in your spiritual or communal life?**
* **What "possessions" or spiritual inheritances has God promised you, and what active steps are you taking to "smite" the obstacles and claim them?**
* **How does the title "servant of the LORD" inspire your own walk of obedience and trust in God?**

### FAQ

**Why is Moses, rather than Joshua, highlighted in this verse, considering Joshua is the central figure of the book?**

Answer: Joshua 12:6 highlights Moses to emphasize the continuity of God's plan and the foundational nature of Moses' work. While Joshua leads the main conquest of Canaan, the land east of the Jordan was conquered and distributed under Moses' direct leadership, as detailed in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Conquests of Sihon and Og") and [Numbers 32](/numbers/32 "Numbers 32 - Transjordanian Settlement"). This verse serves as a crucial bridge, demonstrating that the entire land inheritance, both east and west of the Jordan, was part of a single, divinely orchestrated plan initiated through Moses, "the servant of the LORD," and continued through Joshua. It validates the legitimacy of the Transjordanian settlement and underscores that Joshua's successes were built upon Moses' faithful obedience.

**What was the significance of the land east of the Jordan being given to specific tribes?**

Answer: The allocation of the Transjordanian territory to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it fulfilled a specific request made by these tribes, who had large herds and found the land suitable for grazing (cf. [Numbers 32:1-5](/numbers/32-1 "Numbers 32:1-5 - Request for Transjordanian Land")). Secondly, it demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promise to provide land for all of Israel, even accommodating the unique needs of certain tribes. Thirdly, it established a precedent for tribal inheritance, which would be fully realized in the subsequent land divisions under Joshua. This arrangement, though distinct from the main Canaanite conquest, was part of the unified national effort, as these tribes committed to sending their fighting men across the Jordan to assist their brethren (cf. [Joshua 1:12-18](/joshua/1-12 "Joshua 1:12-18 - Joshua's Charge to the Transjordan Tribes")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 12:6, by recounting the initial conquest and distribution of land under Moses, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and spiritual inheritance found in Christ. While Moses, the "servant of the LORD," faithfully led Israel to conquer the initial portion of the promised land, he himself could not lead them into the full rest of Canaan (cf. [Deuteronomy 34:4](/deuteronomy/34-4 "Deuteronomy 34:4 - Moses Sees the Promised Land")). This limitation points to the need for a greater leader, a true Joshua (Jesus' Hebrew name), who would bring God's people into their ultimate inheritance. Jesus, the perfect "servant of the LORD" (cf. [Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord")), accomplished a far greater "smiting" – His victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness on the cross (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Through His decisive victory, He "gave it for a possession" to all who believe, not a physical plot of land, but an eternal spiritual inheritance in the heavenly places (cf. [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ") and [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The "rest" that Israel sought in the land finds its true and lasting fulfillment in Christ, who is our ultimate rest and the one who leads us into the eternal kingdom of God (cf. [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Sabbath Rest")). Thus, Joshua 12:6, a historical summary of earthly conquest, serves as a poignant type of the spiritual conquest and glorious inheritance secured for us by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 32:33

And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.

Deuteronomy 3:11

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Deuteronomy 3:17

The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast [thereof], from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.

Joshua 13:8

With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, [even] as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;

Joshua 13:32

These [are the countries] which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.

Numbers 21:24

And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon [was] strong.

Numbers 21:35

So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.