King James Version

What Does Numbers 32:33 Mean?

Numbers 32:33 in the King James Version says “And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasse... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 32:33 · KJV


Context

31

And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.

32

We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours.

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.

34

And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,

35

And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses gave unto them... the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—Moses formally grants Transjordan territories conquered earlier (Numbers 21:21-35) to Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh (מַחֲצֵה שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה machatzeh shevet Menasheh). The detailed geographical description (cities, territories, boundaries) creates legal documentation of land grant, preventing future disputes.

Half-Manasseh's inclusion (not mentioned in initial request, 32:1-5) suggests later negotiation or Moses' initiative distributing remaining Transjordan lands. This demonstrates that God's provision often exceeds initial requests: 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20). Faithful stewardship of requested blessings positions us for exceeding-expectation abundance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Manasseh's division (half-tribe east, half west of Jordan) created unique situation where one tribal family held inheritances on both sides of Jordan. This maintained east-west connections, though later prophets suggest it contributed to Transjordan tribes' vulnerability to foreign influence due to distance from central worship at Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 5:25-26).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does half-Manasseh's unexpected inclusion in the Transjordan grant demonstrate God's exceeding-expectation provision?
  2. What responsibilities accompany receiving more than requested, and how can you steward beyond-expectation blessings faithfully?
  3. How might geographic distance from worship centers (like Manasseh's divided territory) create spiritual vulnerabilities requiring intentional countermeasures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן1 of 28

gave

H5414

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

לָהֶ֣ם׀2 of 28
H0
מֹשֶׁ֡ה3 of 28

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בֶן4 of 28

and to 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

גָד֩5 of 28

of Gad

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

בֶן6 of 28

and to 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

רְאוּבֵ֜ן7 of 28

of Reuben

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

וְלַֽחֲצִ֣י׀8 of 28

and unto half

H2677

the half or middle

שֵׁ֣בֶט׀9 of 28

the tribe

H7626

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

מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה10 of 28

of Manasseh

H4519

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

בֶן11 of 28

and to 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

יוֹסֵ֗ף12 of 28

of Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶת13 of 28
H853

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

מַמְלֶ֔כֶת14 of 28

and the kingdom

H4467

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

סִיחֹן֙15 of 28

of Sihon

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ16 of 28

king

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י17 of 28

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְאֶת18 of 28
H853

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

מַמְלֶ֔כֶת19 of 28

and the kingdom

H4467

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

ע֖וֹג20 of 28

of Og

H5747

og, a king of bashan

מֶ֣לֶךְ21 of 28

king

H4428

a king

הַבָּשָׁ֑ן22 of 28

of Bashan

H1316

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ23 of 28

of the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עָרֵ֥י24 of 28

even the cities

H5892

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

בִּגְבֻלֹ֔ת25 of 28

thereof in the coasts

H1367

a boundary, region

עָרֵ֥י26 of 28

even the cities

H5892

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ27 of 28

of the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

סָבִֽיב׃28 of 28

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 32:33 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 Numbers 32:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study