King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:31 Mean?

Joshua 13:31 in the King James Version says “And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of M...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 13:31 · KJV

Context

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.

33

But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—The eastern half of Manasseh received the most northern territory, extending from Mahanaim (מַחֲנַיִם) northward through all of Bashan (בָּשָׁן). Og (עוֹג) was the last of the Rephaim giants (Deuteronomy 3:11), making his defeat particularly significant. His iron bedstead measured 13.5 feet long (Deuteronomy 3:11), indicating extraordinary size. The conquest of giants demonstrated that no enemy, however formidable, can stand against God's purposes.

And all the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Bashan, threescore cities—Jair (יָאִיר, "he enlightens") was a descendant of Manasseh who conquered sixty cities in Bashan, called Havoth-jair (חַוֹּת יָאִיר, "villages of Jair") in his honor (Numbers 32:41, Deuteronomy 3:14). This personal naming of cities acknowledges individual valor within corporate victory. Jair's sixty cities demonstrate that faithfulness multiplies blessing—what began as conquest became generational inheritance, perpetuating his name throughout Israel's history.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bashan was renowned for its fertile soil, oak forests, and excellent pasture land, producing cattle that became proverbially famous (Amos 4:1, Ezekiel 39:18). The region stretched from the Jabbok River to Mount Hermon, including the Golan Heights. Og ruled from Ashtaroth and Edrei, cities that became part of Manasseh's inheritance. Archaeological evidence confirms substantial Bronze Age settlement in this region, supporting the biblical account of numerous cities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the defeat of Og the giant encourage believers facing overwhelming obstacles in fulfilling God's calling?
  2. What does Jair's naming of sixty conquered cities teach about how faithful actions can establish lasting legacy?
  3. How might the fertile, prosperous land of Bashan illustrate that God often gives His people more abundant blessings than they initially envisioned?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לַֽחֲצִ֥י1 of 16

“And half”

H2677

the half or middle

הַגִּלְעָד֙2 of 16

“Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

וְעַשְׁתָּר֣וֹת3 of 16

“and Ashtaroth”

H6252

ashtaroth, the name of a sidonian deity, and of a place east of the jordan

וְאֶדְרֶ֔עִי4 of 16

“and Edrei”

H154

edrei, the name of two places in palestine

עָרֵ֛י5 of 16

“cities”

H5892

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

מַמְלְכ֥וּת6 of 16

“of the kingdom”

H4468

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

ע֖וֹג7 of 16

“of Og”

H5747

og, a king of bashan

בַּבָּשָׁ֑ן8 of 16

“in Bashan”

H1316

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

בְנֵֽי9 of 16

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מָכִ֖יר10 of 16

“of Machir”

H4353

makir, an israelite

בְנֵֽי11 of 16

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה12 of 16

“of Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לַֽחֲצִ֥י13 of 16

“And half”

H2677

the half or middle

בְנֵֽי14 of 16

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מָכִ֖יר15 of 16

“of Machir”

H4353

makir, an israelite

לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָֽם׃16 of 16

“by their families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

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 13:31 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 13:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 12:4Numbers 32:39-40

Places in This Verse

AshtarothSettlement · Modern: Tell Ashtara · 32.80°N, 36.02°E7 verses across 3 books
BashanRegion · Modern: Saham al Jawlan · 32.78°N, 35.93°E53 verses across 15 books
Edrei 1Settlement · Modern: Daraa · 32.63°N, 36.11°E7 verses across 3 books
Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 13 →

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