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Numbers 32:39 - Conquest of Gilad's inheritance

Numbers 32:39 - במדבר 32:39

Hebrew Text

וַיֵּלְכוּ בְּנֵי מָכִיר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁה גִּלְעָדָה וַיִּלְכְּדֻהָ וַיּוֹרֶשׁ אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר־בָּהּ׃

English Translation

And the children of Makhir the son of Menashshe went to Gil῾ad, and took it, and dispossessed the Emori who were in it.

Transliteration

Vayelchu bnei Machir ben-Menashe Gil'adah vayilkduha vayoresh et-ha'Emori asher-bah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ בְּנֵ֨י מָכִ֧יר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה גִּלְעָ֖דָה וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֑הָ וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־בָּֽהּ׃
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ בְּנֵ֨י מָכִ֧יר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה גִּלְעָ֖דָה וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֑הָ וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־בָּֽהּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Bamidbar

This verse (Bamidbar 32:39) appears in the narrative discussing the request of the tribes of Reuven and Gad to settle east of the Jordan River. The children of Makhir, a prominent clan within the tribe of Menashe, are noted for their conquest of Gil῾ad from the Emori.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַיִּלְכְּדֻהָ" ("and took it") refers to the military conquest of Gil῾ad. He emphasizes that this was a fulfillment of the promise made to Avraham Avinu that his descendants would inherit the land (Bereishit 15:16). Rashi also notes that the children of Makhir acted with mesirut nefesh (self-sacrifice) in this conquest, demonstrating their commitment to settling Eretz Yisrael.

Ramban's Insight

The Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that this conquest was significant because it expanded the borders of Eretz Yisrael even beyond the Jordan. He highlights that the children of Makhir were particularly zealous in driving out the Emori, fulfilling the mitzvah of yerushas ha'aretz (inheriting the land) as commanded by Hashem.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:7) teaches that the children of Makhir were rewarded with this portion of land due to the merit of their ancestor Yosef, who was buried in Shechem. This connection underscores the principle of zechus avos (merit of the forefathers) in securing portions of Eretz Yisrael for their descendants.

Halachic Implications

  • The conquest of Gil῾ad demonstrates the obligation to settle Eretz Yisrael, as codified by the Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 5:1).
  • The dispossession of the Emori reflects the halachic requirement to remove idolatrous nations from the land, as derived from Devarim 20:16-18.

Historical Significance

This event marked the beginning of the Israelite settlement east of the Jordan, later ratified by Moshe Rabbeinu (Bamidbar 32:40). The Targum Yonasan notes that this area became an integral part of the tribal inheritance, despite being outside the main boundaries of Eretz Yisrael proper.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the children of Makhir mentioned in Numbers 32:39?
A: The children of Makhir were descendants of Menashe (Manasseh), one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Makhir was a prominent family within the tribe of Menashe, known for their strength and leadership. According to Rashi, they were particularly courageous in conquering the land of Gilad.
Q: Why did the children of Makhir conquer Gilad?
A: The children of Makhir conquered Gilad because it was part of the land promised to the tribe of Menashe. The Torah (Numbers 32) describes how the tribes of Reuven and Gad requested this land for their cattle, and Moshe agreed on the condition that they help conquer the rest of Canaan. Makhir's descendants fulfilled this by driving out the Emorites, as mentioned in this verse.
Q: What is the significance of dispossessing the Emorites in this verse?
A: Dispossessing the Emorites was a fulfillment of Hashem's command to the Israelites to inherit the land of Canaan and remove its idolatrous inhabitants. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 20b) explains that conquering the land was a mitzvah (commandment), and Makhir's descendants demonstrated their commitment to this mission by driving out the Emorites from Gilad.
Q: How does this verse relate to the division of the land among the tribes?
A: This verse shows how the tribe of Menashe received territory on both sides of the Jordan River. While most of Menashe settled west of the Jordan, the family of Makhir inherited Gilad on the eastern side. Ramban explains that this was due to their bravery in battle and their large numbers, allowing them to secure additional land.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the children of Makhir's actions?
A: The children of Makhir teach us the importance of courage and initiative in fulfilling Hashem's commandments. Midrash Tanchuma emphasizes that they did not wait for others to conquer the land but took action themselves. This serves as a reminder that we should actively pursue mitzvot and not rely on others to do them for us.