Joshua 13:30

And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which [are] in Bashan, threescore cities:

And their coast {H1366} was from Mahanaim {H4266}, all Bashan {H1316}, all the kingdom {H4468} of Og {H5747} king {H4428} of Bashan {H1316}, and all the towns {H2333} of Jair {H2971}, which are in Bashan {H1316}, threescore {H8346} cities {H5892}:

Their territory included Machanayim and all of Bashan - that is, all the kingdom of 'Og king of Bashan; all the villages of Ya'ir in Bashan, sixty cities;

The territory from Mahanaim through all Bashan—all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, including all the towns of Jair that are in Bashan, sixty cities;

And their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities:

Commentary

Joshua 13:30 details a specific portion of the tribal inheritance granted to the half-tribe of Manasseh on the eastern side of the Jordan River. This verse outlines the geographical scope of their territory, emphasizing key landmarks and the extent of their possession.

Context

Following the significant conquests under Joshua, particularly the defeat of powerful kings like Og king of Bashan, the book of Joshua transitions to the meticulous division of the land. Joshua 13 specifically addresses the territories allotted to the tribes who chose to settle east of the Jordan: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This verse defines the northern extent of Manasseh's land, starting from Mahanaim and encompassing the entire fertile region of Bashan, which was once Og's kingdom. This allotment was part of the fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites their inheritance in the Promised Land, demonstrating His faithfulness in providing for His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The detailed description of the boundaries underscores God's unwavering commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, providing them with a specific, tangible inheritance. This echoes His initial promises to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7).
  • Order and Precision: The explicit listing of geographical markers and the number of cities ("threescore cities," meaning 60 cities) highlights the precise and orderly nature of God's plan for dividing the land among the tribes. This was not a haphazard distribution but a carefully orchestrated act of divine administration.
  • Conquest's Fruit: The mention of "all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan" serves as a powerful reminder that this inheritance was secured through hard-fought victories, enabled by God's power. The "towns of Jair" refer to settlements conquered earlier, specifically by Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, who took these villages (Numbers 32:41).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "threescore cities" is a clear and direct numerical measurement, indicating 60 cities. This detail emphasizes the substantial size and wealth of the territory granted to this portion of Manasseh, particularly in the fertile region of Bashan, renowned in ancient times for its rich pastures, strong oxen, and numerous towns.

Practical Application

Joshua 13:30, though a geographical description, offers profound spiritual insights. It reminds us that God is a God of order and precision, who meticulously cares for the details of His plans for His people. Just as He faithfully provided a specific inheritance for the Israelites, He also has a precise plan for each believer's life, fulfilling His promises in His perfect time and way. This verse encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness to provide and to lead us into the "territory" He has prepared for us, often through previous victories and divine provision. It highlights that our blessings are often the result of God's past works and enduring covenant.

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

  • Joshua 13:26

    And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir;

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 3:13

    And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, [being] the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.

  • Deuteronomy 3:15

    And I gave Gilead unto Machir.

  • Numbers 32:39

    And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which [was] in it.

  • Numbers 32:41

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