Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.

NEHEMIAH 9:22KJV
Know the Bible

Nehemiah 9:22 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 9:22 mean?

Nehemiah 9:22 describes how God gave the Israelites control over kingdoms and nations, dividing their territories so that Israel could possess the lands of Sihon (king of Heshbon) and Og (king of Bashan). The verse highlights God’s active role in granting these lands to Israel as part of their journey to settle in the promised land.

In this chapter, the Levites are leading the people of Israel in a prayer of confession and remembrance, recounting God’s faithfulness throughout their history. Nehemiah 9:22 specifically recalls the period after the Exodus, when God enabled Israel to conquer lands east of the Jordan River, emphasizing that these victories were not by Israel’s strength alone but by God’s intervention.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 9:22

  • "gavest" (נָתַן, natan): This word means "to give" or "to grant." The verse stresses that it was God who actively gave these kingdoms to Israel, not something Israel achieved independently.
  • "divide" (חָלַק, chalaq): This word means "to divide" or "to apportion." The verse uses it to show that God distributed the conquered lands among the Israelites, highlighting a sense of order and intentionality in how the land was settled.
  • "corners" (פֵּאָה, pe'ah): This word often means "edges" or "extremities." Here, it likely refers to the various regions or territories that were divided up, suggesting that the land was given in distinct portions or sections.

Why Nehemiah 9:22 matters

  • Nehemiah 9:22 clarifies that Israel’s possession of these lands was not random or by their own power, but a direct result of God’s deliberate action and promise-keeping.
  • The verse connects the people’s present situation to their history, reminding them (and the reader) that their identity and land are rooted in God’s faithfulness.
  • By mentioning specific kings and regions, the verse anchors Israel’s story in real historical events, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the biblical narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Og” Hebrew H5747 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
  • Joshua 12:4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,

“Sihon” Hebrew H5511 · used in 34 verses

  • Numbers 21:21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

“Heshbon” Hebrew H2809 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 21:25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
  • Deuteronomy 3:2 And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
  • Joshua 21:39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.