King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:30 Mean?

Joshua 13:30 in the King James Version says “And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which ar...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Joshua 13:30 · KJV

Context

28

This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages.

29

And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families.

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:

31

And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.

32

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh—The division of Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה) into two half-tribes created unique dynamics: familial unity split by geographical separation. Joseph's son Manasseh received a double portion through this division (Genesis 48:5-6), fulfilling Jacob's blessing. Yet half dwelling in Transjordan while half inherited within Canaan proper created permanent tension between unity and separation.

And this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families—The eastern half-tribe consisted of clans who chose, like Reuben and Gad, to settle east of Jordan (Numbers 32:39-42). Their inheritance demonstrates that God accommodates human choices within His sovereign purposes. Yet this accommodation carried consequences: geographical division from the other half-tribe and from the central sanctuary. The half-tribe structure stands as perpetual testimony that settling for good rather than best, choosing convenience over calling, results in divided identity and reduced blessing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The half-tribe of Manasseh that settled east of Jordan consisted primarily of the clans descended from Machir, Manasseh's son (Numbers 32:39-40). This eastern territory stretched from the Jabbok River northward to Mount Hermon, including Bashan and parts of Gilead. The western half of Manasseh later received land in central Canaan. This geographical split continued throughout Israel's history, with the eastern half falling first to Assyrian conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the division of Manasseh into two half-tribes teach about the long-term consequences of choosing comfort over God's primary calling?
  2. How might the geographical separation between the two halves of Manasseh illustrate family or church divisions caused by competing priorities?
  3. In what ways do believers today settle for 'half portions' when God intends complete, undivided inheritance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

גְבוּלָ֗ם2 of 17

“And their coast”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

מִמַּֽחֲנַ֨יִם3 of 17

“was from Mahanaim”

H4266

machanajim, a place in palestine

כָּֽל4 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן5 of 17

“all Bashan”

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

כָּֽל6 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַמְלְכ֣וּת׀7 of 17

“all the kingdom”

H4468

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

ע֣וֹג8 of 17

“of Og”

H5747

og, a king of bashan

מֶֽלֶךְ9 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן10 of 17

“all Bashan”

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

וְכָל11 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חַוֹּ֥ת12 of 17

“and all the towns”

H2333

by implication, an encampment or village

יָאִ֛יר13 of 17

“of Jair”

H2971

jair, the name of four israelites

אֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן15 of 17

“all Bashan”

H1316

bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

שִׁשִּׁ֥ים16 of 17

“threescore”

H8346

sixty

עִֽיר׃17 of 17

“cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Joshua 13:30 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 Joshua 13:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 13:261 Chronicles 2:21-23Numbers 32:39-41Deuteronomy 3:13-15

Places in This Verse

BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
Havvoth-jairRegion · Modern: Qamm · 32.59°N, 35.73°E6 verses across 6 books
MahanaimSettlement · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab el Gharbi · 32.19°N, 35.69°E16 verses across 6 books
View all places in Joshua 13 →

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