Did the Tribe of Manasseh Really Secure Bashan Permanently?
In this article, you will learn how Deuteronomy 3:13 contradicts Deuteronomy 3:16, 2 Kings 10:32-33, Judges 1:27 and Joshua 13:8-13. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
In the biblical narrative, the allocation of land to the Israelite tribes often sparks intriguing discussions. A notable instance is the grant of Bashan to half the tribe of Manasseh, as detailed in Deuteronomy 3:13. According to Moses, this fertile region, once home to formidable giants, was given as a reward for Manasseh's assistance to their allies. However, a closer examination reveals contradictions in the permanence and exclusivity of this allotment.
Firstly, Deuteronomy 3:16 describes a different arrangement, outlining boundaries that do not fit the earlier distribution of Bashan, raising questions about the consistency of land allocation. Picture a family dividing an inheritance where one sibling supposedly receives a specific heirloom, yet another document suggests different assets altogether. Such discrepancies can lead to confusion regarding rightful ownership.
Furthermore, the narrative in 2 Kings 10:32-33 presents a picture of territorial losses, contradicting the idea of a secure and everlasting possession crafted by God's directive in Deuteronomy. Imagine inheriting a family estate and later losing portions of it due to external forces. Such a scenario highlights the vulnerabilities and transient nature of possessions, even divinely ordained ones.
Judges 1:27 adds another layer by depicting an incomplete conquest, implying that sections of the promised land remained unconquered. This is akin to claiming a piece of property, only to find that parts of it remain occupied by the previous owners, challenging the completeness of one's claim.
Lastly, Joshua 13:8-13 records further distributions and conflicts in the region, suggesting a dynamic and unsettled landscape rather than a conclusive settlement. This series of contradictions invites readers to ponder the complexities of the historical accounts, much like navigating through a patchwork of incomplete records.
Together, these passages reflect a tapestry of territorial claims, losses, and ongoing battles, challenging the simplistic view of a permanent settlement envisioned in Deuteronomy 3:13.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Deuteronomy 3:13 | And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, [being] the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants. |
| 2. | Deuteronomy 3:16 | And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon; |
| 3. | 2 Kings 10:32-33 | In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; [to cut: Heb. to cut off the ends] |
| 4. | Judges 1:27 | Neither did Manasseh drive out [the inhabitants of] Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. |
| 5. | Joshua 13:8-13 | With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, [even] as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them; |