Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

DEUTERONOMY 3:20KJV
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Deuteronomy 3:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 3:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 3:20 tells the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh that they must help their fellow Israelites conquer the land west of the Jordan River before returning to settle in the land already given to them east of the Jordan. The verse emphasizes that everyone must have "rest" and their own land before these tribes can go back to their own homes.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to these specific tribes, reminding them of their agreement to support the rest of Israel in battle. The situation is just before Israel enters the promised land, and these tribes have already received territory on the east side of the Jordan. Moses insists they must not abandon their "brethren" (fellow Israelites) but help until all have received their inheritance.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 3:20

  • "Rest" (נוּחַ, nuach): This word means more than just stopping work; it often carries the sense of security, peace, and settling down in safety. Here, it highlights that the promise is not just land, but a settled, peaceful life for all.
  • "Possess" (יָרַשׁ, yarash): This word means to take possession or inherit. It points to the idea that the land is not just being occupied, but is a true inheritance given by God.
  • "Brethren" (אָח, ach): This word means brothers or close relatives, emphasizing the unity and shared responsibility among the tribes.
  • "Return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to go back or turn back. It underlines that the eastern tribes are only to return to their own land after fulfilling their commitment to the rest of Israel.

Why Deuteronomy 3:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the unity and mutual responsibility of the Israelite tribes was a key expectation; no tribe could settle in comfort while others still struggled.
  • The verse connects the idea of "rest" and "inheritance" to the whole community, not just individuals, showing that God's promises were for all Israel together.
  • Deuteronomy 3:20 sets up the fairness and shared effort expected in the conquest of Canaan, which becomes a theme throughout Joshua and the rest of the Old Testament narrative.

Where else these words appear

“possession” Hebrew H3425 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
  • Deuteronomy 2:19 And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.
  • Judges 21:17 And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

“rest” Hebrew H5117 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
  • 2 Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
  • Isaiah 7:19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.

“beyond” Hebrew H5676 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.