King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:8 in the King James Version says “And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.”

Deuteronomy 29:8 · KJV

Context

6

Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.

7

And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:

8

And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.

9

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

10

Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,

Read Deuteronomy 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. The Transjordan conquest resulted in territorial allocation to two and a half tribes. This demonstrated God's faithfulness in beginning to fulfill land promises to Abraham's descendants.

The phrase we took their land indicates Israel's active participation in conquest, though God provided the victory. Covenant blessing involves partnership - God empowers, His people act obediently. Faith without works is dead.

Giving land for an inheritance established permanent possession, not temporary occupation. This portion east of Jordan was Israel's legitimate territory by divine grant, prefiguring the larger Canaan inheritance awaiting west of Jordan.

That two and a half tribes settled east of Jordan created potential for division, later partially fulfilled when northern tribes separated from Judah. Settling for premature or partial inheritance can create problems.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh requested Transjordan territory because it suited their large livestock herds (Numbers 32). Moses granted this with stipulation they still fight for Canaan conquest.

This territory remained vulnerable to invasion from eastern peoples and was among first lost when Assyria conquered northern Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the partnership between divine empowerment and human action teach about faith?
  2. How does Transjordan inheritance prefigure the greater Canaan inheritance?
  3. Why can settling for partial or premature inheritance create problems?
  4. What does permanent land grant teach about security of divine promises?
  5. How did geographical separation contribute to later tribal division?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַנִּקַּח֙1 of 10

“And we took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַרְצָ֔ם3 of 10

“their land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַנִּתְּנָ֣הּ4 of 10

“and gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְנַֽחֲלָ֔ה5 of 10

“it for an inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֖י6 of 10

“unto the Reubenites”

H7206

a reubenite or descendant of reuben

וְלַגָּדִ֑י7 of 10

“and to the Gadites”

H1425

a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad

וְלַֽחֲצִ֖י8 of 10

“and to the half”

H2677

the half or middle

שֵׁ֥בֶט9 of 10

“tribe”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

הַֽמְנַשִּֽׁי׃10 of 10

“of Manasseh”

H4520

a menashshite or descendant of menashsheh

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 29:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 29:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 3:12-13Numbers 32:33

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