The Descendants of Reuben

1These were the sons of Reuben (behold a son) the firstborn of Israel (he wrestles with God). Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph (YHWH has added) son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. 2And though Judah (praised) prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph (YHWH has added). 3The sons of Reuben (behold a son), the firstborn of Israel (he wrestles with God):

Hanoch (dedicated), Pallu (distinguished), Hezron (surrounded by a wall), and Carmi (my vineyard).

4The descendants of Joel (YHWH is God):

Shemaiah (heard by YHWH) his son, Gog (mountain) his son, Shimei (renowned) his son, 5Micah (who is like God) his son, Reaiah (YHWH has seen) his son, Baal (lord) his son, 6and Beerah (well) his son, whom Tiglath-pileser (You will uncover the wonderful bond)a king of Assyria (a step) carried into exile.

Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites. 7His relatives by their clans are recorded in their genealogy:

Jeiel (God sweeps away) the chief, Zechariah (YHWH remembers), 8and Bela (destruction) son of Azaz (strong), the son of Shema (hear), the son of Joel (YHWH is God). They settled in Aroer (ruins) and as far as Nebo (prophet) and Baal-meon (lord of the habitation). 9They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates (fruitfulness) River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead (rocky region).

10During the days of Saul (desired) they waged war against the Hagrites (wanderer), who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead (rocky region).

The Descendants of Gad

11The descendants of Gad (troop) lived next to the Reubenites in the land of Bashan (fruitful), as far as Salecah (migration):

12Joel was (YHWH is God) the chief, Shapham (bold) the second, then Jaanai (whom YHWH answers) and Shaphat (He has judged), who lived in Bashan (fruitful).

13Their kinsmen by families were Michael (who is like God), Meshullam (friend), Sheba (seven), Jorai (YHWH has taught me), Jacan (troublesome), Zia (tumult), and Eber (the region beyond)—seven in all. 14These were the sons of Abihail (my father is might) son of Huri (linen weaver), the son of Jaroah (new moon), the son of Gilead (rocky region), the son of Michael (who is like God), the son of Jeshishai (my old one), the son of Jahdo (His unity), the son of Buz (contempt). 15Ahi (my brother) son of Abdiel (servant of God), the son of Guni, was head of their family.

16They lived in Gilead (rocky region), in Bashan (fruitful) and its towns, and throughout the pasturelands of Sharon (a plain). 17All of them were recorded in the genealogies during the reigns of Jotham (YHWH is perfect) king of Judah (praised) and Jeroboam (the people will contend) king of Israel (he wrestles with God).

18The Reubenites (behold a son), the Gadites (a troop / fortune), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget) had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle. 19They waged war against the Hagrites (wanderer), as well as Jetur (enclosed), Naphish (refreshment), and Nodab (nobility).

20And because they cried out to God {Elohim} in battle, they were helped against their enemies, and the Hagrites (wanderer) and all their allies were delivered into their hands. Because they put their trust in God, He answered their prayers. 21They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also took 100,000 captives, 22and many others fell slain, because the battle belonged to God {Elohim}. And they occupied the land until the exile.

The Half-Tribe of Manasseh

23Now the people of the half-tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget) were numerous. They settled in the land from Bashan (fruitful) to Baal-hermon (that is (lord of destruction), Senir (snow mountain), also known as Mount Hermon \from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon./).b 24These were the heads of their families:

Epher (a calf), Ishi (He saves me), Eliel (El is God), Azriel (my help is God), Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed), Hodaviah (praise YHWH), and Jahdiel (my unity is God).

They were mighty men of valor, famous men, and heads of their families. 25But they were unfaithful to the God {Elohim} of their fathers, and they prostituted themselves with the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

26So the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God) stirred up the spirit {ruach} of Pul (distinguishing) king of Assyria (a step) (that is, Tiglath-pileser (You will uncover the wonderful bond) king of Assyria) to take the Reubenites, the Gadites (a troop / fortune), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget) into exile. And he brought them to Halah (painful), Habor (joining), Hara (mountain land), and the river of Gozan (a cutting off), where they remain to this day.