Translations
Original
Notes
Jair was a descendant of Manasseh through Makir and Gilead (1 Chronicles 2:22).
The Geshurites and Maacathites were small kingdoms in Bashan. They were located along the western side of the Golan Heights, east of the Sea of Galilee. These groups lived near the land that Israel later controlled.
Havvoth-jair was the name given to Argob after Jair brought it under Israelite control (see Deuteronomy 3:4).
Secular treaties (formal agreements between nations) often included a section about the past relationship between the two partners. This section reviewed what had happened before the agreement.
In this case, the purpose was to review Israel’s successes and failures since the exodus from Egypt. It reminded the people that God had kept his word, even when they did not obey him.
To prepare the Israelites for life in Canaan, Moses reminded them about life in Egypt, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and their past mistakes. He warned them to obey God's covenant. He assured them that God's grace would follow them as they learned to trust and obey the Lord.
Parallels
People
Jair: Manassite leader who captured Gilead Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob
Places
Argob: A region in Bashan, known for its fortified cities Bashan: Region east of the Jordan, known for its fertility Geshur: Aramean kingdom; Talmai's domain; refuge for Absalom Havvoth-jair: Villages in Gilead captured by Jair Maacah: A region near Geshur
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Argob (Place) Arnon Bashan-Havoth-Jair Deuteronomy, Book of Gad (Person) Gadite Geshur, Geshurites Havoth-Jair, Havvoth-Jair Jabbok Jair Joshua, Book of Maacathite, Maachathi, Maachathite Manasseh, Tribe of Palestine Tribe of Dan
Topics
Argob: A Region East of the Jordan River Bashan-Havoth-Jair: A Name Given to the Argob Region Bashan: Allotted to the Two and One Half Tribes, Which had Their Possession East of the Jordan River Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Reubenites Obtained the Land Taken from the Amorites Geshur: District East of the Sources of the Jordan River--The Inhabitants of, not Subdued by the Israelites Havoth-Jair: Also Called Bashan-Havoth-Jair In Israel: Defeat the King of Baasha Jair: Son of Manasseh--Founder of Twenty-Three Cities in Gilead Maachah: Also Called Maacah and Maachathi: A Small Kingdom East of Bashan Og: Land of, Given to the Tribes of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh Reubenites: Have Their Inheritance East of the Jordan River The Tribes of Israel: Reuben, Gad and Half Manasseh: Settled on East Side of Jordan