Definition: And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 32:33. It’s a really significant piece of history that tells us a lot about the ancient Near East! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God gave these people – the Israelites – control over a vast area. Let's unpack it further: “And Moses gave unto them…” : This refers to Moses, one of the most important figures in the Bible. “…the children of Gad…” : This is about a specific group of people called Gad. They were a tribe that lived in the area of modern-day Israel. “…and to the children of Reuben…” : They also had a tribe called Reuben, who lived in the same region. “unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph…” : This is where it gets really interesting. The tribe of Manasseh was a group of people that came from the area around modern-day Lebanon. And this verse says they were given a portion of this tribe – about half of them! This is important because it shows God’s plan to expand His kingdom and give it more land. “…the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites…” : Sihon was an ancient king in modern-day Iraq (which is now part of Syria). This means they gained control over a large area near where the Babylonians eventually conquered Israel. “…and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan…” : Similar to Sihon, this refers to another ancient kingdom, called Og, which was located in modern-day Lebanon and Syria (the region of today’s Syria). This means they gained control over a large area near where Babylon eventually conquered Israel. “the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts…” : This is the key part! They weren't just giving them control – they were giving them ownership . They received the right to govern and rule this entire area – all the cities within it - along the coastlines of the region. So, what’s the big takeaway? This verse shows that God was actively working to expand His kingdom far beyond Israel at this point in history. He wasn't just giving them a small piece of land; he was establishing a vast empire with power and control over a huge area. It highlights God's plan for expansion and ultimately, the establishment of Israel as a nation. It’s important to note: This is from a very ancient time, so understanding it requires some historical context. It was a significant step in the development of the Israelites’ destiny. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Discuss what it might suggest about the future? Give an example of how this area was used?