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:

JOSHUA 13:30KJV
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Joshua 13:30 (KJV)

What does Joshua 13:30 mean?

Joshua 13:30 describes the territory given to the descendants of the tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan River, including the region from Mahanaim, all of Bashan, the kingdom ruled by Og, and all sixty towns of Jair in Bashan. This verse lists the specific lands and cities that became part of Manasseh’s inheritance.

In this part of the book of Joshua, God is instructing Joshua about how the land of Canaan should be divided among the Israelite tribes. The verse names important locations and rulers to mark out the boundaries of the land given to Manasseh’s descendants. Mentioning Mahanaim, Bashan, Og, and the towns of Jair helps the original audience recognize the size and significance of this inheritance.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 13:30

  • "Coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul) means border or boundary. This word highlights that the verse is about defining the edges of a specific territory, not a seashore.
  • "Bashan" (בָּשָׁן, Bashan) refers to a fertile and well-known region east of the Jordan. Its mention emphasizes the richness and importance of the land given.
  • "Towns" (חַוּוֹת, chawwoth) here means villages or settlements, not just cities. This shows the inheritance included both large and small communities.
  • "Threescore" (שִׁשִּׁים, shishim) literally means sixty. The verse is specific about the number of towns, underlining the extent of the territory.

Why Joshua 13:30 matters

  • The verse clarifies the exact boundaries and contents of Manasseh’s inheritance, which helps readers understand how the land was divided among the tribes.
  • By naming Og, king of Bashan, the verse connects this land to earlier victories described in the Pentateuch, reminding readers of God’s past help.
  • The detailed list of towns and regions shows the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel about possessing the land, linking this moment to the broader story of God’s faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“towns” Hebrew H2333 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 32:41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.
  • 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4468 · used in 9 verses

  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • Joshua 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
  • 2 Samuel 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

“Jair” Hebrew H2971 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 32:41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.
  • Judges 10:3 And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:22 And Segub begat Jair, who had three and twenty cities in the land of Gilead.

“Mahanaim” Hebrew H4266 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 32:2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
  • 2 Samuel 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
  • 2 Samuel 19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.