Numbers 32:33 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses formally grants Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh the conquered kingdoms of Sihon and Og.
The Context of Numbers 32:33
Moses officially allocates Sihon's and Og's kingdoms to Gad, Reuben, and half Manasseh.
What Does Numbers 32:33 Mean?
Moses makes the allocation official: the territories of Sihon (Amorite king) and Og (king of Bashan)—both recently conquered—are formally transferred to Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh. This includes all cities, fortifications, and surrounding agricultural lands, giving these tribes a substantial and well-developed inheritance requiring minimal settlement effort.
The inclusion of half of Manasseh indicates that Manasseh's territory straddled the Jordan; some of the tribe would receive land in Canaan proper, while the eastern half (sometimes called Machir) received Gilead, integrating them into the East-Jordan settlement arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 32:33
What does Numbers 32:33 mean?
Moses formally grants Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh the conquered kingdoms of Sihon and Og.
What is the context of Numbers 32:33?
Moses officially allocates Sihon's and Og's kingdoms to Gad, Reuben, and half Manasseh.