אֵ֕לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נִחַ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ות מֹואָ֑ב מֵעֵ֛בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרִיחֹ֖ו מִזְרָֽחָה׃ ס
These are the inheritances that Moshe apportioned in the plains of Moʾav, beyond the Yarden, east of Yeriḥo.
Morphology
- אֵ֕לֶּה (elleh) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Form: Demonstrative pronoun, plural; Translation: “These”; Notes: Refers to the list of lands previously mentioned.
- אֲשֶׁר־נִחַ֥ל (ʾasher-niḥal) – Root: נחל (n-ḥ-l); Form: Relative pronoun + verb, Piel perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “that he apportioned”; Notes: Piel form indicates an intensive or causative action of giving inheritance.
- מֹשֶׁ֖ה (Mosheh) – Root: משה (m-sh-h); Form: Proper noun, singular; Translation: “Moshe”; Notes: Refers to the leader of Yisra’el who distributed the lands.
- בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ות (be-ʿarvot) – Root: ערבה (ʿ-r-b-h); Form: Noun, feminine plural construct; Translation: “in the plains of”; Notes: Indicates the specific region of Moav.
- מֹואָ֑ב (Moav) – Root: מואב (m-w-ʾ-b); Form: Proper noun, singular; Translation: “Moav”; Notes: The land east of the Jordan where Yisra’el camped before entering Kenaʿan.
- מֵעֵ֛בֶר (me-ʿever) – Root: עבר (ʿ-v-r); Form: Noun, masculine singular construct with preposition; Translation: “beyond”; Notes: Indicates direction relative to the Jordan River.
- לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן (le-Yarden) – Root: ירדן (y-r-d-n); Form: Proper noun with preposition; Translation: “to the Jordan”; Notes: Refers to the Jordan River as the boundary.
- יְרִיחֹ֖ו (Yeriḥo) – Root: יריחו (y-r-ḥ-w); Form: Proper noun, singular; Translation: “Yeriḥo”; Notes: A significant city near the Jordan.
- מִזְרָֽחָה (mizracha) – Root: זרח (z-r-ḥ); Form: Noun, masculine singular with directional suffix; Translation: “to the east”; Notes: Indicates the geographical location of the land distributed by Moshe.
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with a demonstrative pronoun (“אֵ֕לֶּה“) referring to the previously mentioned land allocations. The relative clause (“אֲשֶׁר־נִחַ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה“) defines the subject, clarifying Moshe’s role. The prepositional phrases “בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ות מֹואָ֑ב” and “מֵעֵ֛בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרִיחֹ֖ו מִזְרָֽחָה” specify the precise location of the inheritance.
Grammatical Analysis
The verb “נִחַ֥ל” is in the Piel stem, emphasizing the active distribution of land. The construct form “בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ות מֹואָ֑ב” (plains of Moav) shows possession. The word “מִזְרָֽחָה” (eastward) uses a directional suffix, marking the orientation of the land.
Lexical Semantics
- נחל (naḥal) – “to apportion, inherit”: Used frequently for land inheritance.
- עבר (ʿever) – “beyond, across”: Indicates position in relation to the Jordan.
- זרח (zaraḥ) – “to rise, shine”: Forms the noun “מִזְרָֽחָה” (eastward), related to the rising sun.
Word Study
- מֹואָ֑ב (Moav): A region historically inhabited by the Moabites, who had complex interactions with Yisra’el.
- יַרְדֵּ֥ן (Yarden, Jordan): A significant river that serves as a boundary in biblical geography.
- יְרִיחֹ֖ו (Yeriḥo): One of the oldest cities in the world, often mentioned in connection with Yisra’el’s conquest.
Textual Criticism
The Masoretic Text preserves the phrase “בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ות מֹואָ֑ב” clearly, whereas some versions, such as the Septuagint, may phrase the location differently. The mention of Moshe’s role highlights continuity with earlier passages.