Numbers 34:13-15 · Bible study
Numbers 34:13-15 Commentary: The Lot and the Eastern Inheritance
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Moses commands nine and a half tribes to inherit Canaan by lot as two and a half tribes already received their inheritance east of the Jordan.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Moses commands the land of Canaan to be divided by lot for the nine and a half tribes, because the two and a half tribes have already received their inheritance east of the Jordan.
- Key words: lot (H1486 goral), inherit (H5157 nachal), inheritance (H5159 nachalah), command (H6680 tsavah), tribe (H4294 matteh).
- Main debate: Whether the inheritance east of the Jordan is considered part of the Promised Land proper, or an addition granted by special request; commentators affirm it is included within the broader inheritance.
- Theological theme: God sovereignly allocates the land; the lot removes human preference; the inheritance is received by divine appointment.
- Best use: A sermon or lesson on trusting God’s distribution, the unity of God’s people across geographical or circumstantial lines, and the importance of receiving gifts with gratitude.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.
14For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance.
15These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
13Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, “This is the land which you shall inherit by lot, which Yahweh has commanded to give to the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe;
14for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers’ houses, the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers’ houses, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance.
15The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.”
KJV King James Version 1769
13And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the Lord commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
14For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance:
15The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which Jehovah hath commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe;
14for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers’ houses, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers’ houses, have received, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received, their inheritance:
15the two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13And Moses commandeth the sons of Israel, saying, `This is the land which ye inherit by lot, which Jehovah hath commanded to give to the nine tribes and the half of the tribe;
14for the tribe of the sons of Reuben have received, by the house of their fathers; and the tribe of the children of Gad, by the house of their fathers; and the half of the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance;
15the two tribes and the half of the tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, near Jericho, eastward, at the sun -rising.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall take for yourselves as inheritance by lot, which Jehovah commanded to give to the nine tribes, and to the half tribe.
14For the tribe of the children of the Reubenites according to their fathers' houses, and the tribe of the children of the Gadites according to their fathers' houses, have received, and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance;
15the two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side the Jordan of Jericho eastward, toward the sun-rising.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: This shall be the land which you shall possess by lot, and which the Lord hath commanded to be given to the nine tribes, and to the half tribe.
14For the tribe of the children of Ruben by their families, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the number of their kindreds, and half of the tribe of Manasses,
15That is, two tribes and a half, have received their portion beyond the Jordan over against Jericho at the east side.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Numbers 34:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that these verses serve as a formal transition in the land distribution. Moses, having just received the boundaries of Canaan from God (Num 34:1-12), now commands that the land within those borders be divided by lot among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh who have not yet received a territory. The reason is stated clearly: the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the other half of Manasseh have already taken possession of their inheritance east of the Jordan (Num 32:33).
Calvin sees this not as a mere repetition but as a deliberate contrast with the earlier grant to the eastern tribes. He argues that the exception does not exclude them from the promised inheritance; rather, they had a special privilege that enlarged the land. Gill notes that while the specific command to give the land to the nine and a half tribes is not recorded earlier, it is consistent with the arrangements made in Numbers 32. The Cambridge Bible observes that the phrase 'beyond the Jordan' reflects the perspective of someone writing from the west side of the river, which Moses never crossed, a detail supporting the documentary character of the text. Together, these sources affirm that the lot system underscores divine sovereignty, as Clarke emphasizes: each tribe received its portion by lot, ensuring that the allocation was seen as appointed by God.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Moses commands the nine and a half tribes to inherit the land of Canaan by lot, while the two and a half tribes have already received their inheritance east of the Jordan.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'by lot' | The lot was a means of seeking divine guidance; the outcome was understood as God's choice. | Some traditions (e.g., Calvin) emphasize the lot as a sign of God's sovereignty; others see it primarily as a practical way to avoid disputes. |
| Status of the eastern inheritance | Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh received a legitimate inheritance, granted by Moses under God's direction. | Is their territory included within the covenantal borders of the land described in Numbers 34:1-12, or is it an extension beyond those boundaries? Commentators like Calvin argue it is included; the Cambridge Bible notes the geographical perspective. |
| The role of Moses here | Moses acts as God's appointed leader, relaying a command already given by God. | Whether this command was newly revealed or a restatement of earlier instructions (cf. Num 32) is not specified; Gill and others infer it from the context. |
| Unity of the twelve tribes | All tribes share in the inheritance, though some are on the east and some on the west of the Jordan. | Later biblical history shows a tendency for the eastern tribes to be seen as separate or vulnerable; this passage counters that by linking them in the same command. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Numbers 34:13-15 sits within a larger section describing the boundaries of the Promised Land (ch. 34) and the appointment of leaders to oversee its distribution (vv. 16-29). The chapter follows directly from the conquest of the Transjordanian kingdoms of Sihon and Og, recorded in Numbers 21, and the subsequent settlement of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32). Those tribes had requested the fertile pasturelands of Jazer and Gilead for their large herds and flocks, and Moses granted it on condition that they join the other tribes in the conquest of Canaan (Num 32:20-22). By the time of Numbers 34, that condition had been accepted, and the eastern tribes had received their inheritance.
The 'lot' (Hebrew goral, H1486) was a common method in ancient Israel for making decisions under divine guidance, often using marked pebbles or sticks (Prov 16:33). In this context, the lot guaranteed that no tribe could claim favoritism or dispute the assignment; the land was the Lord's to give as He willed. The division into nine and a half tribes (counting the half-tribe of Manasseh east and west) reflects the fact that the tribe of Levi received no territorial inheritance but was supported by the tithes and cities of refuge (Num 18:20-24).
Culturally, the precise delineation of boundaries (vv. 1-12) and the formal command to divide by lot show that God’s gift of the land was not vague. It had specific, measurable borders. The mention of Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise (v. 15), anchors the eastern territory geographically: the tribes settled opposite Jericho, in the Jordan Rift Valley. This geographical marker also reminds readers that the land was a concrete, historical reality, not merely a spiritual metaphor.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants for Numbers 34:13-15. The verse is consistent across the major manuscript traditions. Minor differences in English translations (e.g., KJV 'on this side Jordan' vs WEB 'beyond the Jordan') reflect translation choices for the Hebrew phrase me’eber which can mean either side depending on the speaker’s location, but no variant in the underlying Hebrew text is indicated.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, these verses are part of the larger section on the division of the land, read in connection with the lot system that ensured divine fairness. The Talmud discusses the lot as a method used in the Temple service as well, drawing a parallel. In Christian reception, Calvin and other Reformation commentators used the passage to teach the principle that God’s gifts are distributed according to His sovereign will, not human merit. The early church fathers such as Origen sometimes allegorized the land division as a type of the inheritance of the saints, but the literal historical sense was also affirmed. More recently, the passage has been cited in discussions of covenant land theology and the relationship between the geographic promise and its fulfillment in Joshua. The unity of the eastern and western tribes continues to serve as a model for Christians facing geographic or denominational divides within the one body of Christ.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God sets the boundaries. The land is not taken by human ambition; it is given by God’s command. The lot ensures divine appointment over human preference.
- Some receive their inheritance before others. The eastern tribes already settled, but their gift did not exclude them from the covenant family. They remained part of Israel.
- Trust the process. The nine and a half tribes are called to inherit by lot. They must trust that God’s method, even when it seems random, distributes what is best.
Five-point outline
- God commands the division. Moses speaks on God’s authority; the land is not optional but an inheritance to be received.
- Inheritance is by lot. The lot removes human control and leaves the outcome to God (Prov 16:33).
- The eastern tribes already received theirs. Their request was granted, but they still had to fight alongside the others (Num 32).
- Geography shows unity. Both sides of the Jordan are part of one inheritance. The promise to Abraham includes east and west.
- Remaining tribes must act. The command implies action: go in, take possession, trust the boundaries God has given.
Illustration hooks
- A family heirloom divided among siblings by drawing lots at a reading of the will, no one can claim favoritism; the process is seen as fair.
- A sports team selecting draft picks by lottery. Fans accept the result even if they want a different player, because the system is designed to give each team a shot.
- A church planting team that prays and casts lots to decide which neighborhood to serve, trusting God to guide the choice.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Were the tribes east of the Jordan still part of the Promised Land? Did they get second best?
- Why would God use a lottery to assign land? Doesn’t that leave things to chance?
- How do we handle differences between what God gives us and what others receive without envy or pride?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows us that God is a God of order, boundaries, and faithful provision. The Israelites are not to grab whatever land they can; they are to receive it as an inheritance by lot, according to God’s instruction. The two and a half tribes already had their portion, yet they remained part of the larger story. Use these questions to explore how God distributes gifts and how we respond.
Discussion questions
- Read Numbers 34:13-15. Why does Moses specifically mention that the two and a half tribes have already received their inheritance? What problem does that solve?
- What does the use of the lot (goral) tell us about how the Israelites understood God’s role in land distribution? How does that compare to how we make decisions today?
- The eastern tribes settled before the rest. Does that give them an advantage or a disadvantage? How does the condition from Numbers 32 affect your view?
- In verses 14-15, the text emphasizes that the inheritance was received “by the house of their fathers.” Why does lineage matter in this distribution?
- How does the geographical description (“beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise”) ground this story in real places? Why is that important for faith?
- What might the nine and a half tribes have felt about seeing their brothers settled while they still had to fight? How can this passage speak to waiting for God’s timing?
- How does this allocation of land reflect God’s faithfulness to the promise made to Abraham (Gen 15:18-21) and how can that encourage us when we wait for promises?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 34:1 | Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, |
| Joshua 14:1 | These are the inheritances which the children of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed to them, |
| Joshua 14:5 | The children of Israel did as Yahweh commanded Moses, and they divided the land. |
| Numbers 32:23 | “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against Yahweh; and be sure your sin will find you out. |
| Numbers 32:33 | Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-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, according to its cities and borders, even the cities of the surrounding land. |
| Deuteronomy 3:12 | This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites; |
| Deuteronomy 3:17 | the Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward. |
| Joshua 13:8 | With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them: |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes the land's natural defenses: mountains to the south shield it from desert winds, Lebanon blocks cold northern blasts, and the Mediterranean and Jordan form clear borders. He sees these boundaries as divinely appointed to give each tribe a settled portion and prevent covetousness, underscoring God's providential care in providing Israel this uniquely protected territory.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin explains that Moses repeats the land distribution instructions to contrast the new allotment with the earlier grant of Bashan. The exception for the eastern tribes does not exclude them from the inheritance; they simply obtained their portion by
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator observes that the phrase "beyond the Jordan" reveals the writer's location on the west side of the river, a place Moses never entered. The wording therefore suggests the passage was composed by someone writing after Moses' time.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights the division of the promised land: Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh have already received their inheritance east of the Jordan near Jericho. The remaining nine and a half tribes will receive theirs by lot within Canaan proper on the west side.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that while the command to give Canaan to the nine and a half tribes is not recorded earlier, it was likely given when Moses settled the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan. Those tribes received their inheritance by grant, conditional on crossing over to help conquer the land.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the conquered lands of Sihon and Og, between the Arnon and Mount Hermon, were divided among the two and a half tribes. The allotment followed a clear south-to-north order: Reuben in the south, Gad north of Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the far north.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch note the contrast between the land already assigned to the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan and the land yet to be distributed by lot to the remaining nine and a half tribes. The boundaries described mark the territory to be divided.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange sees a double purpose in God’s careful boundaries: Israel must neither shrink from possessing all the land granted nor overreach to build a worldly empire. The limits teach holy self-restriction, so the people grow spiritually within the space God consecrated for them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees God's detailed command of Canaan's borders as a sure pledge of the promise to Abraham. The precise survey proves this land is not vaguely hoped for but prepared by its Owner for a specific people. Every line affirms the inheritance is real, measured, and guaranteed by the Giver.