Joshua 13:31
“Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the children of Machir according to their families.”
What does Joshua 13:31 mean?
After Israel conquered the lands east of the Jordan River, Moses divided them among the tribes. This verse describes part of what went to the descendants of Machir, a clan within the tribe of Manasseh. They received several cities and regions in Bashan, including half of Gilead, along with important population centers like Ashtaroth and Edrei, which had once belonged to King Og's kingdom. The phrase "according to their families" shows how the land distribution was carefully organized, with different family groups within Machir receiving their portions. This reflects God's promise to give Israel the land and his attention to order and fairness in how it was parceled out. For the original audience, this detailed accounting would have mattered greatly—it established each family's inheritance and secure place in their new home.