New International VersionThese two-and-a-half tribes have received their inheritance east of the Jordan across from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
New Living Translationon the east side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho toward the sunrise.”
English Standard VersionThe two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
Berean Standard BibleThese two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
King James BibleThe two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
New King James VersionThe two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan, across from Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.”
New American Standard BibleThe two and a half tribes have received their possession across the Jordan opposite Jericho, eastward toward the sunrise.”
NASB 1995“The two and a half tribes have received their possession across the Jordan opposite Jericho, eastward toward the sunrising.”
NASB 1977“The two and a half tribes have received their possession across the Jordan opposite Jericho, eastward toward the sunrising.”
Legacy Standard BibleThe two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan opposite Jericho to the east toward the sunrise.”
Amplified BibleThe two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan [River] opposite Jericho, eastward toward the sunrise.”
Christian Standard BibleThe two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan east of Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, eastward toward the sunrise.”
American Standard Versionthe two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
Contemporary English Versionacross from Jericho, east of the Jordan River."
English Revised Versionthe two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThose two-and-a-half tribes received land east of the Jordan River across from Jericho."
Good News Translationon the eastern side of the Jordan, opposite Jericho."
International Standard VersionThese two and a half tribes received their inheritance this side of the Jordan River, east of Jericho, facing the rising sun."
NET BibleThe two and a half tribes have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan, east of Jericho, toward the sunrise."
New Heart English Biblethe two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise."
Webster's Bible TranslationThe two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side of Jordan near Jericho eastward, towards the sun-rising. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThese two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
World English BibleThe two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthe two tribes and the half of the tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, [near] Jericho, eastward, at the [sun]-rising.”
Young's Literal Translation the two tribes and the half of the tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, near Jericho, eastward, at the sun -rising.'
Smith's Literal TranslationThe two tribes and the half tribe took their inheritance from the other side to Jordan of Jericho eastward from the rising. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat is, two tribes and a half, have received their portion beyond the Jordan over against Jericho at the east side.
Catholic Public Domain Versionthat is, two and a half tribes, have received their portion across the Jordan, opposite Jericho, toward the eastern side.”
New American Biblethese two and a half tribes have received their heritage across the Jordan opposite Jericho, in the east, toward the sunrise.”
New Revised Standard Versionthe two tribes and the half-tribe have taken their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedTwo tribes and half a tribe received their inheritance from the crossing of Jordan of Yerikho, adjoining there from the east.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917the two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sun-rising.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationTwo tribes and half a tribe have received their inheritance beyond Jordan by Jericho from the south eastwards.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Boundaries of Canaan… 14For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance. 15These twoand a halftribeshave receivedtheir inheritanceacrossthe Jordanfrom Jericho,toward the sunrise.”
Cross References Joshua 13:8-33The other half of Manasseh, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, had received the inheritance Moses had given them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had assigned to them: / The area from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon, / and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the Ammonites; ...
Deuteronomy 3:12-17So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. / To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The entire region of Argob, the whole territory of Bashan, used to be called the land of the Rephaim.) / Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. ...
Joshua 22:1-9Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh / and told them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. / All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God. ...
Deuteronomy 29:8We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua 1:12-15But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, / “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ / Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, ...
Deuteronomy 2:9Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”
Joshua 18:7The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”
Deuteronomy 3:18-20At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. / But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, / until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.”
Joshua 14:2-5Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. / For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. / The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds. ...
Deuteronomy 12:1These are the statutes and ordinances you must be careful to follow all the days you live in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess.
Joshua 21:43-45Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled in it. / And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. / Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.
Deuteronomy 4:47-49They took possession of the land belonging to Sihon and to Og king of Bashan—the two Amorite kings across the Jordan to the east— / extending from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Siyon (that is, Hermon), / including all the Arabah on the east side of the Jordan and as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the slopes of Pisgah.
Joshua 19:51These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed by lot to the tribes of Israel at Shiloh before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing up the land.
Deuteronomy 32:49“Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites as their own possession.
Joshua 24:13So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities that you did not build, and now you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’
Treasury of Scripture The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sun rise. two tribes. Numbers 32:32 We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordanmay be ours. Jump to Previous DawnEastEastwardHalfHalf-TribeHeritageInheritanceJerichoJordanOppositePossessionReceivedSideSunriseSunrisingSun'-RisingSun-RisingTowardsTribeTribesJump to Next DawnEastEastwardHalfHalf-TribeHeritageInheritanceJerichoJordanOppositePossessionReceivedSideSunriseSunrisingSun'-RisingSun-RisingTowardsTribeTribesNumbers 34 1.The borders of the land16.The names of the men who shall divide the landThese two and a half tribesThis phrase refers to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These tribes requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River because the land was suitable for their large herds and flocks ( Numbers 32:1-5). Their decision reflects a practical choice based on economic needs, but it also sets a precedent for living outside the Promised Land's traditional boundaries. This choice required a commitment to assist the other tribes in conquering Canaan ( Numbers 32:16-22). have received their inheritance
The concept of inheritance is central to the Israelites' understanding of the Promised Land. It signifies a divine allotment, a gift from God to His people, fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21). The inheritance is not just a physical possession but a spiritual legacy, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. across the Jordan
The Jordan River serves as a significant geographical and symbolic boundary in the biblical narrative. Crossing the Jordan represents entering into the promises of God, as seen in the later crossing led by Joshua (Joshua 3-4). For the two and a half tribes, settling "across the Jordan" indicates a separation from the main body of Israel, which could lead to future tensions and challenges in maintaining unity and faithfulness to God (Joshua 22). from Jericho
Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and holds a strategic position near the Jordan River. It is famously known for its conquest by Joshua and the Israelites, where the walls fell after the Israelites marched around them for seven days (Joshua 6). Jericho's mention here situates the eastern tribes' inheritance in a context of significant historical and military importance. toward the sunrise
This phrase indicates the direction of the land allocation, eastward. In biblical symbolism, the east often represents beginnings and new opportunities, as the sun rises in the east. It can also imply a movement away from the central place of worship and community, which was west of the Jordan. This geographical orientation might suggest both the potential for new growth and the risk of isolation from the rest of Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Two and a Half TribesRefers to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These tribes requested and received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River. 2. The Jordan RiverA significant geographical boundary in the Bible, representing a transition from the wilderness into the Promised Land. 3. JerichoA city located near the Jordan River, known for its walls that fell after the Israelites marched around them, marking the beginning of the conquest of Canaan. 4. Eastward Toward the SunriseThis phrase indicates the direction of the land given to the two and a half tribes, symbolizing new beginnings and hope. 5. InheritanceThe allocation of land to the tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham about the land of Canaan. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in PromisesGod fulfills His promises, as seen in the allocation of land to the tribes. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness in their own lives. Unity and Cooperation Among God's PeopleThe two and a half tribes agreed to help their fellow Israelites conquer the land west of the Jordan, demonstrating the importance of unity and cooperation in achieving God's purposes. The Significance of BoundariesBoundaries are important in God's plan, providing structure and order. In our lives, setting boundaries can help maintain spiritual health and focus. Symbolism of the East and New BeginningsThe direction "eastward toward the sunrise" symbolizes new beginnings. Believers can find hope in new opportunities and God's guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Numbers 34:15?
2.How does Numbers 34:15 define the inheritance for the tribes east of Jordan?
3.What responsibilities accompany receiving land as described in Numbers 34:15?
4.How does Numbers 34:15 connect to God's promises to Abraham's descendants?
5.What lessons on obedience can we learn from the tribes' actions in Numbers 34:15?
6.How can we apply the concept of inheritance in Numbers 34:15 to our faith?
7.How does Numbers 34:15 define the territorial boundaries for the tribes of Reuben and Gad?
8.Why were the tribes of Reuben and Gad given land east of the Jordan in Numbers 34:15?
9.What theological significance does the land allocation in Numbers 34:15 hold for Israel's covenant with God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 34?
11.What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?
12.In Joshua 14:3-4, how does the Levites' lack of a territorial inheritance align with other biblical passages that mention Levitical cities and lands?
13.Numbers 10:33-36: How does the Ark of the Covenant traveling alongside them here reconcile with other passages where the Ark seems to remain stationary?
14.What does the term 'Promised Land' refer to?What Does Numbers 34:15 Mean These two and a half tribes- Refers to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:1-5, 33, 40). - Their identity underscores God’s faithfulness to individual tribes while keeping covenant promises to the whole nation (Genesis 17:7-8;Numbers 26:52-56). - Joshua later reminds them of their unique place in Israel’s unity: “The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land” (Joshua 1:13).
have received their inheritance- “Received” shows the allotment is finished and secured by divine decree, not mere human agreement (Numbers 34:2;Deuteronomy 3:18). - Inheritance points back to God’s original promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and forward to the rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4:8-9). - The phrase confirms that obedience—settling where God assigns—brings blessing (Deuteronomy 30:20).
across the Jordan- The Jordan River marks a God-given boundary (Numbers 34:12). - East of the river still counts as covenant land because the LORD defines its limits (Numbers 32:33-42). - Crossing the Jordan later prefigures entering God’s promises through faith (Joshua 3:14-17;Psalm 114:3-5).
from Jericho- Jericho is the landmark just west of the Jordan, famous for its fall (Joshua 6:1-20); its mention fixes the line of sight. - Placing the tribes’ territory opposite Jericho highlights that victory in Canaan begins with trust, not geography (Exodus 14:13-14;Joshua 6:2). - Jericho also serves as a reminder that the LORD’s power secures every inheritance (Psalm 44:3).
toward the sunrise- A Hebrew way to say “eastward”; it orients the reader and traveler alike (Genesis 2:8;Ezekiel 43:2). - East often signals new beginnings—God planted Eden in the east (Genesis 2:8), and the tabernacle faced that direction (Exodus 27:13-16). - For these tribes, sunrise territory affirms fresh mercy every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) while anchoring them within God’s larger plan for Israel (Deuteronomy 29:8).
summaryNumbers 34:15 states that Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh already possess their divinely assigned inheritance on the east side of the Jordan, opposite Jericho, in the direction of the rising sun. The verse underscores God’s precise boundaries, His faithfulness to each tribe, and the certainty of promises fulfilled. (15) On this side Jordan.--Better, Along the side or bank of Jordan.(See Note on chapter 32:19.) Verse 15. - On this side Jordan near Jericho. Literally, "on the side ( מֵעֵבֶר) of the Jordan of Jericho." It was not of course true that the territory which they had received lay eastward of Jericho, but it was the case that the tribe leaders had there asked and received permission to occupy that territory, and it was in this direction that the temporary settlements of Reuben and Gad lay, perhaps also those of half Manasseh.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew These twoשְׁנֵ֥י(šə·nê)Number - mdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)and a halfוַחֲצִ֣י(wa·ḥă·ṣî)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677:The half, middletribesהַמַּטּ֖וֹת(ham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4294:A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribehave receivedלָקְח֣וּ(lā·qə·ḥū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3947:To taketheir inheritanceנַחֲלָתָ֗ם(na·ḥă·lā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5159:Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portionacrossמֵעֵ֛בֶר(mê·‘ê·ḇer)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5676:A region across, on the opposite sidethe Jordanלְיַרְדֵּ֥ן(lə·yar·dên)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3383:Jordan -- the principal river of Palestinefrom Jericho,יְרֵח֖וֹ(yə·rê·ḥōw)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3405:Jericho -- a city in the Jordan Valley captured by Joshuatoward the sunrise.”מִזְרָֽחָה׃(miz·rā·ḥāh)Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4217:Place of sunrise, the east
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OT Law: Numbers 34:15 The two tribes and the half-tribe have (Nu Num.) |
