וַחֲצִ֤י הַגִּלְעָד֙ וְעַשְׁתָּרֹ֣ות וְאֶדְרֶ֔עִי עָרֵ֛י מַמְלְכ֥וּת עֹ֖וג בַּבָּשָׁ֑ן לִבְנֵ֤י מָכִיר֙ בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לַחֲצִ֥י בְנֵֽי־מָכִ֖יר לְמִשְׁפְּחֹותָֽם׃
And half of the Gilʿad, and ʿAshtarot, and Edreʿi, the cities of the kingdom of ʿOg in the Bashan, were given to the sons of Makhir, son of Menashshe, to half of the sons of Makhir according to their families.
Morphology
- וַחֲצִ֤י (va-ḥatsi) – Root: חצי (ḥ-ts-y); Form: Noun, masculine singular construct; Translation: “And half of”; Notes: Indicates division of territory.
- הַגִּלְעָד֙ (ha-Gilʿad) – Root: גלעד (g-l-ʿ-d); Form: Proper noun, definite; Translation: “the Gilʿad”; Notes: A region east of the Jordan River.
- וְעַשְׁתָּרֹ֣ות (ve-Ashtarot) – Root: עשתרות (ʿ-sh-t-r-w-t); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ashtarot”; Notes: A key city in Bashan.
- וְאֶדְרֶ֔עִי (ve-Edreʿi) – Root: אדרעי (ʾ-d-r-ʿ-y); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Edreʿi”; Notes: Another significant city in Bashan.
- עָרֵ֛י (ʿarei) – Root: עיר (ʿ-y-r); Form: Noun, feminine plural construct; Translation: “cities of”; Notes: Used in construct form to indicate belonging.
- מַמְלְכ֥וּת (mamlakhut) – Root: מלך (m-l-k); Form: Noun, feminine singular construct; Translation: “kingdom of”; Notes: Refers to dominion.
- עֹ֖וג (Og) – Root: עוג (ʿ-w-g); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Og”; Notes: The Amorite king of Bashan.
- בַּבָּשָׁ֑ן (ba-Bashan) – Root: בשן (b-sh-n); Form: Noun, masculine singular definite, prefixed with ב־ (in); Translation: “in the Bashan”; Notes: A fertile region known for its cattle.
- לִבְנֵ֤י (livnei) – Root: בן (b-n); Form: Noun, masculine plural construct; Translation: “to the sons of”; Notes: Used to indicate inheritance.
- מָכִיר֙ (Makhir) – Root: מכיר (m-k-y-r); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Makhir”; Notes: A descendant of Menasheh.
- בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה (ben-Menasheh) – Root: מנשה (m-n-sh-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “son of Menasheh”; Notes: Establishes lineage.
- לַחֲצִ֥י (la-ḥatsi) – Root: חצי (ḥ-ts-y); Form: Noun, masculine singular construct, prefixed with ל־ (to); Translation: “to half of”; Notes: Denotes division.
- בְנֵֽי־מָכִ֖יר (vnei-Makhir) – Root: מכיר (m-k-y-r); Form: Noun, masculine plural construct; Translation: “the sons of Makhir”; Notes: Further division of inheritance.
- לְמִשְׁפְּחֹותָֽם (le-mishpeḥotam) – Root: משפחה (m-sh-p-ḥ-h); Form: Noun, feminine plural construct with 3rd person masculine plural suffix; Translation: “according to their families”; Notes: Highlights division by family units.
Syntax Analysis
The verse follows a list structure, describing the lands allocated. The subject “וַחֲצִ֤י הַגִּלְעָד֙” is followed by additional locations in apposition. The phrase “עָרֵ֛י מַמְלְכ֥וּת עֹ֖וג” defines the cities of Og’s kingdom, which are then assigned to “בְּנֵ֤י מָכִיר֙ בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה.” The prepositional phrase “לְמִשְׁפְּחֹותָֽם” concludes the verse, emphasizing the familial division.
Grammatical Analysis
The construct forms “עָרֵ֛י מַמְלְכ֥וּת” (cities of the kingdom) and “לִבְנֵ֤י מָכִיר֙” (to the sons of Makhir) establish relationships between subjects. The repetition of “לַחֲצִ֥י” (to half) emphasizes division of inheritance.
Lexical Semantics
- חצי (ḥatsi) – “half”: Often used for territorial division.
- ממלכה (mamlakhah) – “kingdom”: Denotes a domain under rule.
- משפחה (mishpaḥah) – “family, clan”: Highlights organization by tribal divisions.
Word Study
- גלעד (Gilʿad) – “Gilead”: A mountainous region, often associated with balm and healing.
- בשן (Bashan) – “Bashan”: A fertile area known for its cattle and oak trees.
- עשתרות (Ashtarot) – “Ashtarot”: A city likely named after the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth.
Textual Criticism