Joshua 12:6

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Joshua 12:6 KJV provides a concise summary of the conquests made by Moses and the Israelites east of the Jordan River, and the subsequent distribution of that territory to specific tribes. This verse serves as an important bridge, connecting the foundational work of Moses to the ongoing conquest narrative under Joshua.

Context

This verse is part of a concluding summary chapter (Joshua 12) that lists all the kings and territories conquered by Israel, both under Moses and Joshua. Specifically, Joshua 12:6 focuses on the victories achieved before the main campaign in Canaan, west of the Jordan. These were the lands of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, as detailed in Numbers 21. The allocation of this land to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh was a pre-agreed arrangement, allowing these tribes to settle east of the Jordan while still participating in the conquest of Canaan proper.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The verse highlights God's unwavering commitment to His promises. The land given by Moses was part of the larger inheritance God had pledged to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:18).
  • Continuity of God's Plan: Though Joshua is the central figure in the book, this verse underscores the crucial foundational work of Moses, the "servant of the LORD." It shows that God's plan for Israel's inheritance was a continuous process, transcending individual leadership.
  • Tribal Inheritance and Identity: The specific mention of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh emphasizes the importance of tribal identity and their unique place within the larger nation of Israel, even as they chose to settle outside the primary land of Canaan.
  • Conquest and Possession: The phrase "did Moses... smite" (Hebrew: nakah, meaning to strike decisively or defeat) signifies the military victories necessary to claim the promised land. The subsequent act of "gave it for a possession" confirms the legal and divine transfer of ownership.

Linguistic Insights

The title "servant of the LORD" (Hebrew: 'eved Yahweh) attributed to Moses is a significant honorific, denoting a special relationship of obedience and trust with God. This title is used throughout the Old Testament to describe individuals uniquely chosen and used by God, such as in Deuteronomy 34:5 where it marks Moses' death. It underscores his authority and the divine backing for his actions in conquering and distributing the land.

Practical Application

Joshua 12:6 reminds us that God's purposes often unfold through different stages and leaders. Just as Moses laid the groundwork for Joshua, our lives and ministries build upon the faithfulness of those who came before us. It encourages us to acknowledge the foundational work of others and to understand that God's ultimate plan is bigger than any single individual. The verse also speaks to the certainty of God's promises; what He begins, He will bring to completion, even if the means or timing differ from our expectations.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 32:33

    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.
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