1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;
2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,
3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
4 Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:
5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.
6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?
7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.
9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.
10 And the LORD's anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying,
11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
13 And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.
15 For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.
19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.
20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him,
22 And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.
25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.
26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead:
27 But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord saith.
28 So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel:
29 And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:
30 But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.
31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.
32 We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours.
33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.
34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
35 And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,
36 And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep.
37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
38 And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.
39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it.
40 And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.
41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.
42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
1 Now the children H1121 of Reuben H7205 and the children H1121 of Gad H1410 had a very H3966 great H6099 multitude H7227 of cattle: H4735 and when they saw H7200 the land H776 of Jazer, H3270 and the land H776 of Gilead, H1568 that, behold, the place H4725 was a place H4725 for cattle; H4735
2 The children H1121 of Gad H1410 and the children H1121 of Reuben H7205 came H935 and spake H559 unto Moses, H4872 and to Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and unto the princes H5387 of the congregation, H5712 saying, H559
3 Ataroth, H5852 and Dibon, H1769 and Jazer, H3270 and Nimrah, H5247 and Heshbon, H2809 and Elealeh, H500 and Shebam, H7643 and Nebo, H5015 and Beon, H1194
4 Even the country H776 which the LORD H3068 smote H5221 before H6440 the congregation H5712 of Israel, H3478 is a land H776 for cattle, H4735 and thy servants H5650 have cattle: H4735
5 Wherefore, said H559 they, if we have found H4672 grace H2580 in thy sight, H5869 let this land H776 be given H5414 unto thy servants H5650 for a possession, H272 and bring us not over H5674 Jordan. H3383
6 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto the children H1121 of Gad H1410 and to the children H1121 of Reuben, H7205 Shall your brethren H251 go H935 to war, H4421 and shall ye sit H3427 here?
7 And wherefore discourage ye H5106 H5106 the heart H3820 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 from going over H5674 into the land H776 which the LORD H3068 hath given H5414 them?
8 Thus did H6213 your fathers, H1 when I sent H7971 them from Kadeshbarnea H6947 to see H7200 the land. H776
9 For when they went up H5927 unto the valley H5158 of Eshcol, H812 and saw H7200 the land, H776 they discouraged H5106 the heart H3820 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that they should not go H935 into the land H776 which the LORD H3068 had given H5414 them.
10 And the LORD'S H3068 anger H639 was kindled H2734 the same time, H3117 and he sware, H7650 saying, H559
11 Surely H518 none of the men H582 that came up H5927 out of Egypt, H4714 from twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 and upward, H4605 shall see H7200 the land H127 which I sware H7650 unto Abraham, H85 unto Isaac, H3327 and unto Jacob; H3290 because they have not wholly H4390 followed H310 me:
12 Save Caleb H3612 the son H1121 of Jephunneh H3312 the Kenezite, H7074 and Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun: H5126 for they have wholly H4390 followed H310 the LORD. H3068
13 And the LORD'S H3068 anger H639 was kindled H2734 against Israel, H3478 and he made them wander H5128 in the wilderness H4057 forty H705 years, H8141 until all the generation, H1755 that had done H6213 evil H7451 in the sight H5869 of the LORD, H3068 was consumed. H8552
14 And, behold, ye are risen up H6965 in your fathers' H1 stead, an increase H8635 of sinful H2400 men, H582 to augment H5595 yet the fierce H2740 anger H639 of the LORD H3068 toward Israel. H3478
15 For if ye turn away H7725 from after H310 him, he will yet again H3254 leave H3240 them in the wilderness; H4057 and ye shall destroy H7843 all this people. H5971
16 And they came near H5066 unto him, and said, H559 We will build H1129 sheepfolds H1448 H6629 here for our cattle, H4735 and cities H5892 for our little ones: H2945
17 But we ourselves H587 will go ready H2363 armed H2502 before H6440 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 until we have brought H935 them unto their place: H4725 and our little ones H2945 shall dwell H3427 in the fenced H4013 cities H5892 because H6440 of the inhabitants H3427 of the land. H776
18 We will not return H7725 unto our houses, H1004 until the children H1121 of Israel H3478 have inherited H5157 every man H376 his inheritance. H5159
19 For we will not inherit H5157 with them on yonder side H5676 Jordan, H3383 or forward; H1973 because our inheritance H5159 is fallen H935 to us on this side H5676 Jordan H3383 eastward. H4217
20 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto them, If ye will do H6213 this thing, H1697 if ye will go armed H2502 before H6440 the LORD H3068 to war, H4421
21 And will go H5674 all of you armed H2502 over H5674 Jordan H3383 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 until he hath driven out H3423 his enemies H341 from before H6440 him,
22 And the land H776 be subdued H3533 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 then afterward H310 ye shall return, H7725 and be guiltless H5355 before the LORD, H3068 and before Israel; H3478 and this land H776 shall be your possession H272 before H6440 the LORD. H3068
23 But if ye will not do so, H6213 behold, ye have sinned H2398 against the LORD: H3068 and be sure H3045 your sin H2403 will find you out. H4672
24 Build H1129 you cities H5892 for your little ones, H2945 and folds H1448 for your sheep; H6792 and do H6213 that which hath proceeded H3318 out of your mouth. H6310
25 And the children H1121 of Gad H1410 and the children H1121 of Reuben H7205 spake H559 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 Thy servants H5650 will do H6213 as my lord H113 commandeth. H6680
26 Our little ones, H2945 our wives, H802 our flocks, H4735 and all our cattle, H929 shall be there in the cities H5892 of Gilead: H1568
27 But thy servants H5650 will pass over, H5674 every man armed H2502 for war, H6635 before H6440 the LORD H3068 to battle, H4421 as my lord H113 saith. H1696
28 So concerning them Moses H4872 commanded H6680 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun, H5126 and the chief H7218 fathers H1 of the tribes H4294 of the children H1121 of Israel: H3478
29 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto them, If the children H1121 of Gad H1410 and the children H1121 of Reuben H7205 will pass with you over H5674 Jordan, H3383 every man armed H2502 to battle, H4421 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and the land H776 shall be subdued H3533 before H6440 you; then ye shall give H5414 them the land H776 of Gilead H1568 for a possession: H272
30 But if they will not pass over H5674 with you armed, H2502 they shall have possessions H270 among H8432 you in the land H776 of Canaan. H3667
31 And the children H1121 of Gad H1410 and the children H1121 of Reuben H7205 answered, H6030 saying, H559 As the LORD H3068 hath said H1696 unto thy servants, H5650 so will we do. H6213
32 We will H5168 pass over H5674 armed H2502 before H6440 the LORD H3068 into the land H776 of Canaan, H3667 that the possession H272 of our inheritance H5159 on this side H5676 Jordan H3383 may be ours.
33 And Moses H4872 gave H5414 unto them, even to the children H1121 of Gad, H1410 and to the children H1121 of Reuben, H7205 and unto half H2677 the tribe H7626 of Manasseh H4519 the son H1121 of Joseph, H3130 the kingdom H4467 of Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 and the kingdom H4467 of Og H5747 king H4428 of Bashan, H1316 the land, H776 with the cities H5892 thereof in the coasts, H1367 even the cities H5892 of the country H776 round about. H5439
34 And the children H1121 of Gad H1410 built H1129 Dibon, H1769 and Ataroth, H5852 and Aroer, H6177
35 And Atroth, Shophan, H5855 and Jaazer, H3270 and Jogbehah, H3011
36 And Bethnimrah, H1039 and Bethharan, H1028 fenced H4013 cities: H5892 and folds H1448 for sheep. H6629
37 And the children H1121 of Reuben H7205 built H1129 Heshbon, H2809 and Elealeh, H500 and Kirjathaim, H7156
38 And Nebo, H5015 and Baalmeon, H1186 (their names H8034 being changed,) H4142 and Shibmah: H7643 and gave H7121 other names H8034 H8034 unto the cities H5892 which they builded. H1129
39 And the children H1121 of Machir H4353 the son H1121 of Manasseh H4519 went H3212 to Gilead, H1568 and took H3920 it, and dispossessed H3423 the Amorite H567 which was in it.
40 And Moses H4872 gave H5414 Gilead H1568 unto Machir H4353 the son H1121 of Manasseh; H4519 and he dwelt H3427 therein.
41 And Jair H2971 the son H1121 of Manasseh H4519 went H1980 and took H3920 the small towns H2333 thereof, and called H7121 them Havothjair. H2334
42 And Nobah H5025 went H1980 and took H3920 Kenath, H7079 and the villages H1323 thereof, and called H7121 it Nobah, H5025 after his own name. H8034
1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;
2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,
3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
4 the land which Jehovah smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle; and thy servants have cattle.
5 And they said, If we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over the Jordan.
6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to the war, and shall ye sit here?
7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Jehovah hath given them?
8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Jehovah had given them.
10 And Jehovah's anger was kindled in that day, and he sware, saying,
11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
12 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed Jehovah.
13 And Jehovah's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander to and fro in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of Jehovah, was consumed.
14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of Jehovah toward Israel.
15 For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye will destroy all this people.
16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.
19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.
20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will arm yourselves to go before Jehovah to the war,
21 and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before Jehovah, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him,
22 and the land is subdued before Jehovah; then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless towards Jehovah, and towards Israel; and this land shall be unto you for a possession before Jehovah.
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah; and be sure your sin will find you out.
24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.
25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.
26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead;
27 but thy servants will pass over, every man that is armed for war, before Jehovah to battle, as my lord saith.
28 So Moses gave charge concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' `houses' of the tribes of the children of Israel.
29 And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man that is armed to battle, before Jehovah, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:
30 but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.
31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As Jehovah hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.
32 We will pass over armed before Jehovah into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance `shall remain' with us beyond the Jordan.
33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, according to the cities thereof with `their' borders, even the cities of the land round about.
34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
35 and Atrothshophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah,
36 and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran: fortified cities, and folds for sheep.
37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim,
38 and Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Sibmah: and they gave other names unto the cities which they builded.
39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites that were therein.
40 And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.
41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the towns thereof, and called them Havvoth-jair.
42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
1 And much cattle hath been to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad, very many; and they see the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, and lo, the place `is' a place `for' cattle;
2 and the sons of Gad, and the sons of Reuben, come in and speak unto Moses, and unto Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the company, saying:
3 `Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon --
4 the land which Jehovah hath smitten before the company of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle.'
5 And they say, `If we have found grace in thine eyes, let this land be given to thy servants for a possession; cause us not to pass over the Jordan.'
6 And Moses saith to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben, `Do your brethren go in to the battle, and ye -- do ye sit here?
7 and why discourage ye the heart of the sons of Israel from passing over unto the land which Jehovah hath given to them?
8 `Thus did your fathers in my sending them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land;
9 and they go up unto the valley of Eshcol, and see the land, and discourage the heart of the sons of Israel so as not to go in unto the land which Jehovah hath given to them;
10 and the anger of Jehovah burneth in that day, and He sweareth, saying,
11 They do not see -- the men who are coming up out of Egypt from a son of twenty years and upward -- the ground which I have sworn to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, for they have not been fully after Me;
12 save Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua son of Nun, for they have been fully after Jehovah;
13 and the anger of Jehovah burneth against Israel, and He causeth them to wander in the wilderness forty years, until the consumption of all the generation which is doing the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah.
14 `And lo, ye have risen in the stead of your fathers, an increase of men -- sinners, to add yet to the fury of the anger of Jehovah toward Israel;
15 when ye turn back from after Him, then He hath added yet to leave him in the wilderness, and ye have done corruptly to all this people.'
16 And they come nigh unto him, and say, `Folds for the flock we build for our cattle here, and cities for our infants;
17 and we -- we are armed hasting before the sons of Israel till that we have brought them in unto their place; and our infants have dwelt in the cities of defence because of the inhabitants of the land;
18 we do not turn back unto our houses till the sons of Israel have inherited each his inheritance,
19 for we do not inherit with them beyond the Jordan and yonder, for our inheritance hath come unto us beyond the Jordan at the `sun'-rising.'
20 And Moses saith unto them, `If ye do this thing: if ye are armed before Jehovah for battle,
21 and every armed one of you hath passed over the Jordan before Jehovah, till his dispossessing His enemies from before Him,
22 and the land hath been subdued before Jehovah -- then afterwards ye do turn back, and have been acquitted by Jehovah, and by Israel; and this land hath been to you for a possession before Jehovah.
23 `And if ye do not so, lo, ye have sinned against Jehovah, and know ye your sin, that it doth find you;
24 build for yourselves cities for your infants, and folds for your flock, and that which is going out from your mouth do ye.'
25 And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben speak unto Moses, saying, `Thy servants do as my lord is commanding;
26 our infants, our wives, our cattle, and all our beasts, are there in cities of Gilead,
27 and thy servants pass over, every armed one of the host, before Jehovah, to battle, as my lord is saying.'
28 And Moses commandeth concerning them Eleazar the priest, and Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel;
29 and Moses saith unto them, `If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben pass over with you the Jordan, every one armed for battle, before Jehovah, and the land hath been subdued before you, then ye have given to them the land of Gilead for a possession;
30 and if they do not pass over armed with you, then they have possessions in your midst in the land of Canaan.'
31 And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answer, saying, `That which Jehovah hath spoken unto thy servants -- so we do;
32 we -- we pass over armed before Jehovah `to' the land of Canaan, and with us `is' the possession of our inheritance beyond the Jordan.'
33 And Moses giveth to them, to the sons of Gad, and to the sons of Reuben, and to the half of the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorite, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land by its cities, in the borders, the cities of the land round about.
34 And the sons of Gad build Dihon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
35 and Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,
36 and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-Haran, cities of defence, and sheepfolds.
37 And the sons of Reuben have build Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
38 and Nebo, and Baal-Meon (changed in name), and Shibmah, and they call by `these' names the names of the cities which they have built.
39 And sons of Machir son of Manasseh go to Gilead, and capture it, and dispossess the Amorite, who `is' in it;
40 and Moses giveth Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh, and he dwelleth in it.
41 And Jair son of Manasseh hath gone and captureth their towns, and calleth them `Towns of Jair;'
42 and Nobah hath gone and captureth Kenath, and its villages, and calleth it Nobah, by his own name.
1 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had much cattle, a very great multitude; and they saw the land of Jaazer, and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for cattle.
2 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the assembly, saying,
3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jaazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elaleh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
4 the country that Jehovah smote before the assembly of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle;
5 and they said, If we have found favour in thine eyes, let this land be given to thy servants for a possession: bring us not over the Jordan.
6 And Moses said to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall *ye* abide here?
7 And why do ye discourage the children of Israel from going over into the land that Jehovah has given them?
8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land:
9 they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, and discouraged the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land that Jehovah had given them.
10 And Jehovah's anger was kindled the same time, and he swore, saying,
11 If the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land that I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob! for they have not wholly followed me;
12 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; for they have wholly followed Jehovah.
13 And Jehovah's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation was consumed that had done evil in the eyes of Jehovah.
14 And behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, a progeny of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of Jehovah toward Israel.
15 If ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
16 And they drew near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones;
17 but we ourselves will go with diligence armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the strong cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18 We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited each one his inheritance.
19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side the Jordan, and further, because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side the Jordan eastward.
20 And Moses said to them, If ye do this thing, if ye arm yourselves before Jehovah for war,
21 and all of you that are armed go over the Jordan before Jehovah, until he have dispossessed his enemies from before him,
22 and the land is subdued before Jehovah, and afterwards ye return, ye shall be guiltless toward Jehovah and toward Israel, and this land shall be your possession before Jehovah.
23 But if ye do not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah, and be sure your sin will find you out.
24 Build yourselves cities for your little ones, and folds for your flocks, and do that which has gone out of your mouth.
25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commands.
26 Our little ones, our wives, our cattle, and all our beasts shall be there in the cities of Gilead;
27 but thy servants will pass over, every one armed for war, before Jehovah to battle, as my lord says.
28 So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel.
29 And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben pass with you over the Jordan, every one armed for battle, before Jehovah, and the land be subdued before you, then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession;
30 but if they do not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.
31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As Jehovah has said to thy servants, so will we do.
32 We will pass over armed before Jehovah into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance on this side the Jordan shall be ours.
33 And Moses gave to them, to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og the king of Bashan, the land, according to its cities and territories, the cities of the land round about.
34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
35 and Atroth-Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbebah,
36 and Beth-Nimrah, and Beth-haran, strong cities, and sheepfolds.
37 -- And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elaleh, and Kirjathaim,
38 and Nebo, and Baal-meon (of which the names were changed), and Sibmah; and they gave other names to the cities that they built.
39 -- And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and they dispossessed the Amorites that were therein.
40 And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.
41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took their hamlets, and called them Havoth-Jair.
42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and its dependent villages, and called it Nobah, after his name.
1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that behold, the place was a place for cattle;
2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the congregation, saying,
3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
4 the land which Yahweh struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle; and your servants have cattle.
5 They said, If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession; don't bring us over the Jordan.
6 Moses said to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brothers go to the war, and shall you sit here?
7 Why discourage you the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Yahweh has given them?
8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
9 For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Yahweh had given them.
10 Yahweh's anger was kindled in that day, and he swore, saying,
11 Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
12 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed Yahweh.
13 Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander back and forth in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, who had done evil in the sight of Yahweh, was consumed.
14 Behold, you are risen up in your fathers' place, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of Yahweh toward Israel.
15 For if you turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and you will destroy all this people.
16 They came near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18 We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.
19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.
20 Moses said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to the war,
21 and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before Yahweh, until he has driven out his enemies from before him,
22 and the land is subdued before Yahweh; then afterward you shall return, and be guiltless towards Yahweh, and towards Israel; and this land shall be to you for a possession before Yahweh.
23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against Yahweh; and be sure your sin will find you out.
24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which has proceeded out of your mouth.
25 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Your servants will do as my lord commands.
26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead;
27 but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before Yahweh to battle, as my lord says.
28 So Moses gave charge concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the tribes of the children of Israel.
29 Moses said to them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man who is armed to battle, before Yahweh, and the land shall be subdued before you; then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:
30 but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.
31 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As Yahweh has said to your servants, so will we do.
32 We will pass over armed before Yahweh into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance [shall remain] with us beyond the Jordan.
33 Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, according to the cities of it with [their] borders, even the cities of the land round about.
34 The children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
35 and Atrothshophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah,
36 and Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities, and folds for sheep.
37 The children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim,
38 and Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah: and they gave other names to the cities which they built.
39 The children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were therein.
40 Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he lived therein.
41 Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the towns of it, and called them Havvoth Jair.
42 Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages of it, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a great number of cattle: and when they saw that the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead was a good place for cattle;
2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and said to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the chiefs of the meeting,
3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
4 The land which the Lord gave into the hands of the children of Israel, is a land for cattle, and your servants have cattle.
5 And they said, With your approval, let this land be given to your servants as their heritage: do not take us over Jordan.
6 And Moses said to the children of Gad and the children of Reuben, Are your brothers to go to the war, while you take your rest here?
7 Why would you take from the children of Israel the desire to go over into the land which the Lord has given them?
8 So did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
9 For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they took from the children of Israel the desire to go into the land which the Lord had given them.
10 And at that time the Lord was moved to wrath, and made an oath, saying,
11 Truly, not one of the men of twenty years old and over who came out of Egypt will see the land which I gave by oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; because they have not been true to me with all their heart;
12 But only Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua, the son of Nun: because they have been true to the Lord.
13 Then the Lord was angry with Israel, and he made them wanderers in the waste land for forty years? till all that generation who had done evil in the eyes of the Lord was dead.
14 And now you have come to take the place of your fathers, another generation of sinners, increasing the wrath of the Lord against Israel.
15 For if you are turned away from him, he will send them wandering again in the waste land; and you will be the cause of the destruction of all this people.
16 Then they came to him, and said, We will make safe places for our cattle here, and towns for our little ones;
17 But we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel till we have taken them to their place: but our little ones will be safe in the walled towns against the people of the land.
18 We will not come back to our houses till every one of the children of Israel has come into his heritage.
19 For we will not have our heritage with them on the other side of Jordan and forward; because our heritage has come to us on this side of Jordan to the east.
20 Then Moses said to them, If you will do this, arming yourselves to go before the Lord to the war,
21 Every armed man of you going across Jordan before the Lord till he has overcome and sent in flight all who are against him,
22 And the land is under the rule of the Lord: then after that you may come back, having done no wrong to the Lord and to Israel; and this land will be yours for your heritage before the Lord.
23 But if you do not do this, then you are sinners against the Lord; and you may be certain that your sin will have its reward.
24 So get to work building your towns for your little ones, and safe places for your sheep; and do as you have said.
25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben said to Moses, Your servants will do as my lord says.
26 Our little ones, our wives, and our flocks, and all our cattle, will be there in the towns of Gilead;
27 But your servants will go over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to the fight, as my lord says.
28 So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua, the son of Nun, and to the heads of families of the tribes of the children of Israel.
29 And Moses said to them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben go with you over Jordan, every man armed for the fight before the Lord, and all the land is given into your hands, then let them have the land of Gilead for a heritage:
30 But if they do not go over with you armed, they will have to take their heritage with you in the land of Canaan.
31 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben said, As the Lord has said to your servants, so will we do.
32 We will go over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, and you will give us our heritage on this side of Jordan.
33 So Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad and the children of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan, all the land with its towns and the country round them.
34 And the children of Gad were the builders of Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer;
35 And Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah;
36 And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran: walled towns and shut-in places for sheep.
37 And the children of Reuben were the builders of Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim;
38 And Nebo and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Sibmah: and they gave other names to the towns they made.
39 And the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, went to Gilead and took it, driving out the Amorites who were living there.
40 And Moses gave Gilead to Machir, the son of Manasseh; and he made it his living-place.
41 And Jair, the son of Manasseh, went and took the towns of Gilead, naming them Havvoth-Jair.
42 And Nobah went and took Kenath and its small towns, naming it Nobah, after himself.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 32
Commentary on Numbers 32 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
Division of the Conquered Land Beyond the Jordan Among the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Half-Manasseh - Numbers 32
(Note: This chapter is also cut in pieces by Knobel : Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:2, Numbers 32:16-19, Numbers 32:24, Numbers 32:28-30, and Numbers 32:33-38, being assigned to the Elohist; and the remainder, viz., Numbers 32:3-5, Numbers 32:6-15, Numbers 32:20-23, Numbers 32:25-27, Numbers 32:31, Numbers 32:32, and Numbers 32:39-42, to the Jehovist. But as the supposed Elohistic portions are fragmentary, inasmuch as it is assumed, for example, in Numbers 32:19, that the tribes of Reuben and Gad had already asked for the land of the Jordan and been promised it by Moses, whereas there is nothing of the kind stated in Numbers 32:1 and Numbers 32:2, the Elohistic account is said to have been handed down in a fragmentary state. The main ground for this violent hypothesis is the fancy of the critic, that the tribes mentioned could not have been so shameless as to wish to remain on the eastern side of the Jordan, and leave the conquest of Canaan to the other tribes, and that the willingness to help their brethren to conquer Canaan which they afterwards express in Numbers 32:16., is irreconcilable with their previous refusal to do this, - arguments which need no refutation for an unprejudiced reader of the Bible who is acquainted with the selfishness of the natural heart. The arguments founded upon the language employed are also all weak. Because there are words in Numbers 32:1 and Numbers 32:29, which the critics pronounce to be Jehovistic, they must proceed, both here and elsewhere, to remove all that offends them with their critical scissors, in order that they may uphold the full force of their dicta! )
The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large flocks and herds, petitioned Moses, Eleazar, and the princes of the congregation, to give them the conquered land of Gilead for a possession, as a land that was peculiarly adapted for flocks, and not to make them pass over the Jordan. מאד עצוּם , “very strong,” is an apposition introduced at the close of the sentence to give emphasis to the רב . The land which they wished for, they called the “land of Jaëzer (see Numbers 21:32), and the land of Gilead.” They put Jaëzer first, probably because this district was especially rich in excellent pasture land. Gilead was the land to the south and north of the Jabbok (see at Deuteronomy 3:10), the modern provinces of Belka in the south between the Jabbok and the Arnon, and Jebel Ajlun to the north of the Jabbok, as far as the Mandhur. Ancient Gilead still shows numerous traces of great fertility even in its present desolation, covered over as it is with hundreds of ruins of old towns and hamlets. Belka is mountainous towards the north, but in the south as far as the Arnon it is for the most part table-land; and in the mountains, as Buckingham says, “we find on every hand a pleasant shade from fine oaks and wild pistachio-trees, whilst the whole landscape has more of a European character. The pasturage in Belka is much better than it is anywhere else throughout the whole of southern Syria, so that the Bedouins say, 'You can find no country like Belka.' The oxen and sheep of this district are considered the very best” (see v. Raumer , Pal. p. 82). The mountains of Gilead on both sides of the Jabbok are covered for the most part with glorious forests of oak. “ Jebel Ajlun ,” says Robinson ( Pal. App. 162), “presents the most charming rural scenery that I have seen in Syria. A continued forest of noble trees, chiefly the evergreen oak (Sindiân), covers a large part of it, while the ground beneath is covered with luxuriant grass, which we found a foot or more in height, and decked with a rich variety of flowers” (see v. Raumer, ut sup .). This also applies to the ancient Basan, which included the modern plains of Jaulan and Hauran , that were also covered over with ruins of former towns and hamlets. The plain of Hauran , though perfectly treeless, is for all that very fertile, rich in corn, and covered in some places with such luxuriant grass that horses have great difficulty in making their way through it; for which reason it is a favourite resort of the Bedouins ( Burckhardt , p. 393). “The whole of Hauran,” says Ritter ( Erdkunde , xv. pp. 988, 989), “stretches out as a splendid, boundless plain, between Hermon on the west, Jebel Hauran on the east, and Jebel Ajlun to the south; but there is not a single river in which there is water throughout the whole of the summer. It is covered, however, with a large number of villages, every one of which has its cisterns, its ponds, or its birket ; and these are filled in the rainy season, and by the winter torrents from the snowy Jebel Hauran. Wherever the soil, which is everywhere black, deep, dark brown, or ochre-coloured, and remarkably fertile, is properly cultivated, and you find illimitable corn-fields, and chiefly golden fields of wheat, which furnish Syria in all directions with its principal food. By far the larger part of this plain, which was a luxuriant garden in the time of the Romans, is now uncultivated, waste, and without inhabitants, and therefore furnishes the Bedouins of the neighbourhood with the desired paradise for themselves and their flocks.” On its western slope Jebel Hauran is covered with splendid forests of oak, and rich in meadow land for flocks ( Burckhardt , pp. 152, 169, 170, 173, 358; Wetstein, Reiseber . pp. 39ff. and 88). On the nature of the soil of Hauran , see at Deuteronomy 3:4. The plain of Jaulan appears in the distance like the continuation of Hauran (Robinson, App. 162); it has much bush-land in it, but the climate is not so healthy as in Hauran ( Seetzen , i. pp. 353, 130, 131). “In general, Hauran, Jaulan, el Botthin, el Belka, and Ejlun, are the paradise of nomads, and in all their wanderings eastwards they find no pasture like it” ( Seetzen , i. p. 364). מקום , a locality, or district. מקנה מאום = מקנה ארץ (Numbers 32:4), a district adapted for grazing.
In Numbers 32:3 the country is more distinctly defined by the introduction of the names of a number of important towns, whilst the clause “the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel,” in which the defeat of Sihon is referred to, describes it as one that was without a ruler, and therefore could easily be taken possession of. For more minute remarks as to the towns themselves, see at Numbers 32:34. On the construction את יתּן , see at Genesis 4:18. - The words, “ let us not go over the Jordan ,” may be understood as expressing nothing more than the desire of the speakers not to receive their inheritance on the western side of the Jordan, without their having any intention of withdrawing their help from the other tribes in connection with the conquest of Canaan, according to their subsequent declaration (Numbers 32:16.); but they may also be understood as expressing a wish to settle at once in the land to the east of the Jordan, and leave the other tribes to conquer Canaan alone. Moses understood them in the latter sense (Numbers 32:6.), and it is probable that this was their meaning, as, when Moses reproved them, the speakers did not reply that they had not cherished the intention attributed to them, but simply restricted themselves to the promise of co-operation in the conquest of Canaan. But even in this sense their request did not manifest “ a shamelessness that would hardly be historically true” ( Knobel ). It may very well be explained from the opinion which they cherished, and which is perfectly intelligible after the rapid and easy defeat of the two mighty kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og, that the remaining tribes were quite strong enough to conquer the land of Canaan on the west of the Jordan. But for all that, the request of the Reubenites and Gadites did indicate an utter want of brotherly feeling, and complete indifference to the common interests of the whole nation, so that they thoroughly deserved the reproof which they received from Moses.
Moses first of all blames their want of brotherly feeling: “ Shall your brethren go into the war, and ye sit here? ” He then calls their attention to the fact, that by their disinclination they would take away the courage and inclination of the other tribes to cross over the Jordan and conquer the land, and would bring the wrath of God upon Israel even more than their fathers who were sent from Kadesh to spy out the land, and who led away the heart of the people into rebellion through their unfavourable account of the inhabitants of Canaan, and brought so severe a judgment upon the congregation. מן את־לב הניא , to hold away the heart, i.e., render a person averse to anything. The Keri תּניאוּן , as in Numbers 32:9, is unquestionably to be preferred to the Kal תּנוּאוּן , in the Kethib of Numbers 32:7. - In Numbers 32:8-13, Moses reminds them of the occurrences described in ch. 13 and 14. On the expression, “ wholly followed Jehovah ,” cf. Numbers 14:24. The words, “ He drove them about in the desert ,” caused them to wander backwards and forwards in it for forty years, point back to Numbers 14:33-35.
“ Behold, ye rise up instead of your fathers ,” i.e., ye take their place, “ an increase ( תּרבּוּת , from רבה ; equivalent to a brood) of sinners, to augment yet the burning of the wrath of Jehovah against Israel .” על ספה , to add to, or increase.
“ If ye draw back behind Him ,” i.e., resist the fulfilment of the will of God, to bring Israel to Canaan, “ He will leave it (Israel) still longer in the desert, and ye prepare destruction for all this nation .”
The persons thus reproved came near to Moses, and replied, “ We will build sheep-folds here for our flocks, and towns for our children; but we will equip ourselves hastily ( חשׁים , part. pass. hasting) before the children of Israel, till we bring them to their place ” (i.e., to Canaan). צאן גּדרת , folds or pens for flocks, that were built of stones piled up one upon another (1 Samuel 24:4).
(Note: According to Wetstein ( Reiseber . p. 29), it is a regular custom with the nomads in Leja , to surround every place, where they pitch their tents, with a Sira , i.e., with an enclosure of stones about the height of a man, that the flocks may not be scattered in the night, and that they may know at once, from the noise made by the falling of the smaller stones which are laid at the top, if a wolf attempts to enter the enclosure during the night.)
By the building of towns, we are to understand the rebuilding and fortification of them. טף , the children, including the women, and such other defenceless members of the family as were in need of protection (see at Exodus 12:37). When their families were secured in fortified towns against the inhabitants of the land, the men who could bear arms would not return to their houses till the children of Israel, i.e., the rest of the tribes, had all received their inheritance: for they did not wish for an inheritance on the other side of Jordan and farther on, if ( כּי ) their inheritance was assigned them on this side Jordan towards the east. The application of the expression היּרדּן מעבר to the land on the east of the Jordan, as well as to that on the west, points to a time when the Israelites had not yet obtained a firm footing in Canaan. At that time the land to the west of the river could very naturally be spoken of as “ beyond the Jordan ,” from the subjective stand-point of the historian, who was then on the east of the river; whereas, according to the objective and geographical usage, the land “beyond Jordan” signifies the country to the east of the river. But in order to prevent misunderstanding, in this particular instance the expression היּרדּן עבר is defined more precisely as מזרחה , “ towards the east ,” when it is intended to apply to the land on the east of the Jordan.
Upon this declaration Moses absolves them from all guilt, and promises them the desired land for a possession, on condition that they fulfil their promise; but he reminds them again of the sin that they will commit, and will have to atone for, if their promise is not fulfilled, and closes with the admonition to build towns for their families and pens for their flocks, and to do what they have promised. Upon this they promise again (Numbers 32:25-27), through their spokesman (as the singular ויּאמר in Numbers 32:25, and the suffix in אדני in Numbers 32:27, clearly show), that they will fulfil his command. The use of the expression “ before Jehovah ,” in the words, “go armed before Jehovah to war,” in Numbers 32:20 and Numbers 32:21, may be explained from the fact, that in the war which they waged at the command of their God, the Israelites were the army of Jehovah, with Jehovah in the midst. Hence the ark of the covenant was taken into the war, as the vehicle and substratum of the presence of Jehovah; whereas it remained behind in the camp, when the people wanted to press forward into Canaan of their own accord ( Numbers 14:44). But if this is the meaning of the expression “before Jehovah,” we may easily understand why the Reubenites and Gadites do not make use of it in Numbers 32:17, namely, because they only promise to go equipped “before the children of Israel,” i.e., to help their brethren to conquer Canaan. In Numbers 32:32 they also adopt the expression, after hearing it from the mouth of Moses (Numbers 32:20).
(Note: This completely sets aside the supposed discrepancy which Knobel adduces in support of his fragmentary hypothesis, viz., that the Elohist writes “before Israel” in Numbers 32:17 and Numbers 32:29, when the Jehovist would write “before Jehovah,” - a statement which is not even correct; since we find “before Jehovah” in Numbers 32:29, which Knobel is obliged to erase from the text in order to establish his assertion.)
נקיּים , innocent, “free from guilt before Jehovah and before Israel.” By drawing back from participation in the war against the Canaanites, they would not only sin against Jehovah, who had promised Canaan to all Israel, and commanded them to take it, but also against Israel itself, i.e., against the rest of the tribes, as is more fully stated in Numbers 32:7-15. In Numbers 32:22 , “before Jehovah” signifies according to the judgment of Jehovah, with divine approval. חטּאתכם וּדעוּ , “ ye will know your sin ,” which will overtake ( מצא ) or smite you, i.e., ye will have to make atonement for them.
Moses thereupon commanded Eleazar, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes of Israel, i.e., the persons entrusted in Numbers 34:17. with the division of the land of Canaan, to give the Gadites and Reubenites the land of Gilead for a possession, after the conquest of Canaan, if they should go along with them across the Jordan equipped for battle. But if they should not do this, they were to be made possessors (i.e., to be settled; נאחז in a passive sense, whereas in Genesis 34:10; Genesis 47:27, it is reflective, to fix oneself firmly, to settle) in the land of Canaan along with the other tribes. In the latter case, therefore, they were not only to receive no possession in the land to the east of the Jordan, but were to be compelled to go over the Jordan with their wives and children, and to receive an inheritance there for the purpose of preventing a schism of the nation.
The Gadites and Reubenites repeated their promise once more (Numbers 32:25), and added still further (Numbers 32:32): “ We will pass over armed before Jehovah into the land of Canaan, and let our inheritance be with us (i.e., remain to us) beyond the Jordan .”
Moses then gave to the sons of Gad and Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, namely, “ the land according to its towns, in (its) districts , (namely) the towns of the land round about ,” i.e., the whole of the land with its towns and the districts belonging to them, or surrounding the towns. It appears strange that the half-tribe of Manasseh is included here for the first time at the close of the negotiations, whereas it is not mentioned at all in connection with the negotiations themselves. This striking fact may easily be explained, however, on the supposition that it was by the two tribes of Reuben and Gad alone that the request was made for the land of Gilead as a possession; but that when Moses granted this request, he did not overlook the fact, that some of the families of Manasseh had conquered various portions of Gilead and Bashan (Numbers 32:39), and therefore gave these families, at the same time, the districts which they had conquered, for their inheritance, that the whole of the conquered land might be distributed at once. As O. v. Gerlach observes, “the participation of this half-tribe in the possession is accounted for in Numbers 32:39.” Moses restricted himself, however, to a general conveyance of the land that had been taken on the east of the Jordan to these two and a half tribes for their inheritance, without sharing it amongst them, or fixing the boundaries of the territory of each particular tribe. That was left to the representatives of the nation mentioned in Numbers 32:28, and was probably not carried out till the return of the fighting men belonging to these tribes, who went with the others over the Jordan. In the verses which follow, we find only those towns mentioned which were fortified by the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and in which they constructed sheep-folds (Numbers 32:34-38), and the districts which the families of Manasseh had taken and received as their possession (Numbers 32:39-42).
The Gadites built, i.e., restored and fortified, the following places. Dibon , also called Dibon Gad, an hour's journey to the north of the central Arnon. Ataroth , probably preserved in the extensive ruins of Attarus , on Jebel Attarus, between el Körriath (Kureyat) and Makur, i.e., Machaerus (see Seetzen , ii. p. 342). Aroer , not the Aroer before Rabbah, which was allotted to the Gadites (Joshua 13:25), as v. Raumer supposes; but the Aroer of Reuben in the centre of the valley of the Arnon ( Joshua 12:2; Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16), which is still to be seen in the ruins of Araayr , on the edge of the lofty rocky wall which bounds the Modjeb ( Burckhardt , p. 633). Atroth Shophan: only mentioned here; situation unknown. Jaezer: probably to be sought for in the ruins of es Szir, to the west of Ammän (see at Numbers 21:32). Jogbehah: only mentioned again in Judges 8:11, and preserved in the ruins of Jebeiha , about two hours to the north-west of Ammän ( Burckhardt , p. 618; Robinson, App. p. 168). Beth-nimrah , contracted into Nimrah (Numbers 32:3), according to Joshua 13:27, in the valley of the Jordan, and according to the Onomast . ( s. v. Βηθναβράν ) Beth-amnaram , five Roman miles to the north of Libias ( Bethharam ), now to be seen in the ruins of Nimrein or Nemrin , where the Wady Shaib enters the Jordan ( Burckhardt , pp. 609, 661; Robinson, ii. p. 279), in a site abounding in water and pasturage ( Seetzen , ii. pp. 318, 716). Beth-Haran , or Beth-Haram (Joshua 13:27): Beth-ramphtha , according to Josephus, Ant. 18:2, 1, which was called Julias , in honour of the wife of Augustus. According to the Onomast . it was called Beth-Ramtha by the Syrians ( רמתא בּית , the form of the Aramaean stat. emphat .), and was named Livias by Herod Antipas, in honour of Livia , the wife of Augustus. It has been preserved in the ruins of Rameh , not far from the mouth of the Wady Hesbân ( Burckhardt , p. 661, and Robinson, ii. 305). The words וגו מבצר ערי in Numbers 32:36 are governed by ויּבנוּ in Numbers 32:34 : “they built them as fortified cities and folds for flocks,” i.e., they fortified them, and built folds in them.
The Reubenites built Heshbon , the capital of king Sihon (see Numbers 21:16), which was allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:17), but relinquished to the Gadites, because it was situated upon the border of their territory, and given up by them to the Levites (Joshua 21:39; 1 Chronicles 6:66). It stood almost in the centre between the Arnon and Jabbok, opposite to Jericho, and, according to the Onomast ., twenty Roman miles from the Jordan, where the ruins of a large town of about a mile in circumference are still to be seen, with deep bricked wells, and a large reservoir, bearing the ancient name of Hesban or Hsban ( Seetzen ; Burckhardt , p. 623; Robinson, Pal. ii. 278; cf. v. Raumer , Pal. p. 262; and Ritter's Erdkunde , xv. p. 1176). - Elealeh: half-an-hour's journey to the north-east of Heshbon, now called el Aal, i.e., the height, upon the top of a hill, from which you can see the whole of southern Belka; it is now in ruins with many cisterns, pieces of wall, and foundations of houses ( Burckhardt , p. 523). - Kirjathaim , probably to the south-west of Medeba, where the ruins of el Teym are not to be found (see at Genesis 14:5). Nebo, on Mount Nebo (see at Numbers 27:12). The Onomast . places the town eight Roman miles to the south of Heshbon, whilst the mountain is six Roman miles to the west of that town. Baal-Meon , called Beon in Numbers 32:3, Beth-Meon in Jeremiah 48:23, and more fully Beth-Baal-Meon in Joshua 13:17, is probably to be found, not in the ruins of Maein discovered by Seetzen and Legh , an hour's journey to the south-west of Tueme ( Teim ), and the same distance to the north of Habbis , on the north-east of Jebel Attarus, and nine Roman miles to the south of Heshbon, as most of the modern commentators from Rosenmüller to Knobel suppose; but in the ruins of Myun , mentioned by Burckhardt (p. 624), three-quarters of an hour to the south-east of Heshbon, where we find it marked upon Kiepert's and Van de Velde's maps.
(Note: Although Baal-Meon is unquestionably identified with Maein in the Onom . (see v. Raumer , Pal. p. 259), 1 Chronicles 5:8 is decidedly at variance with this. It is stated there that “ Bela dwelt in Aroer , and even unto Nebo and Baal-Meon ,” a statement which places Baal-Meon in the neighbourhood of Nebo , like the passage before us, and is irreconcilable with the supposition that it was identical with Maein in the neighbourhood of Attarus . In the case of Seetzen , however, the identification of Maein with Baal-Meon is connected with the supposition, which is now generally regarded as erroneous, namely, that Nebo is the same as the Jebel Attarus . (See, on the other hand, Hengstenberg, Balaam; and Ritter's Erdkunde , xv. pp. 1187ff.))
Shibmah (Numbers 32:3, Shebam ), which was only 500 paces from Heshbon, according to Jerome (on Isaiah 14:8), has apparently disappeared, without leaving a trace behind.
(Note: The difference in the forms Shibmah , Baal-Meon (Numbers 32:38), and Beth-Nimrah (Numbers 32:36), instead of Shebam , Beon , and Nimrah (Numbers 32:3), is rendered useless as a proof that Numbers 32:3 is Jehovistic, and Numbers 32:36-38 Elohistic, from the simple fact that Baal-Meon itself is a contraction of Beth-Baal-Meon (Joshua 13:17). If the Elohist could write this name fully in one place and abbreviated in another, he could just as well contract it still further, and by exchanging the labials call it Beon ; and so also he could no doubt omit the Beth in the case of Nimrah , and use the masculine form Shebam in the place of Shibmah. The contraction of the names in Numbers 32:3 is especially connected with the fact, that diplomatic exactness was not required for an historical account, but that the abbreviated forms in common use were quite sufficient.)
Thus all the places built by the Reubenites were but a short distance from Heshbon, and surrounded this capita; whereas those built by the Gadites were some of them to the south of it, on the Arnon, and others to the north, towards Rabbath-Ammon. It is perfectly obvious from this, that the restoration of these towns took place before the distribution of the land among these tribes, without any regard to their possession afterwards. In the distribution, therefore, the southernmost of the towns built by the Gadites, viz., Aroer, Dibon, and Ataroth, fell to the tribe of Reuben; and Heshbon, which was built by the Reubenites, fell to the tribe of Gad. The words שׁם מוּסבּת , “changed of name,” are governed by בּנוּ : “they built the towns with an alteration of their names,” mutatis nominibus (for סבב , in the sense of changing, see Zechariah 14:10). There is not sufficient ground for altering the text, שׁם into שׁוּר ( Knobel ), according to the περικυκλωμένας of the lxx, or the περιτετευχισμένας of Symmachus . The Masoretic text is to be found not only in the Chaldee, the Syriac, the Vulgate, and the Saadic versions, but also in the Samaritan. The expression itself, too, cannot be justly described as “awkward,” nor is it a valid objection that the naming is mentioned afterwards; for altering the name of a town and giving it a new name are not tautological. The insertion of the words, “their names being changed,” before Shibmah, is an indication that the latter place did not receive any other name. Moreover, the new names which the builders gave to these towns did not continue in use long, but were soon pressed out by the old ones again. “And they called by names the names of the towns:” this is a roundabout way of saying, they called the towns by (other, or new) names: cf. 1 Chronicles 6:50.
Moses gave the Manassites the land which was conquered by them; in fact, the whole of the kingdom of Bashan , including not only the province of Bashan , but the northern half of Gilead (see at Numbers 21:33-34). Of this the sons of Machir received Gilead, the modern Jebel Ajlun , between the Jabbok ( Zerka ) and the Mandhur (Hieromax, Jarmuk ), because they had taken it and driven out the Amorites and destroyed them (see Deuteronomy 3:13). The imperfects in Numbers 32:39 are to be understood in the sense of pluperfects, the different parts being linked together by w consec. according to the simple style of the Semitic historical writings explained in the note on Genesis 2:19, and the leading thought being preceded by the clauses which explain it, instead of their being logically subordinated to it. “ The sons of Machir went to Gilead and took it...and Moses gave ,” etc., instead of “Moses gave Gilead to the sons of Machir, who had gone thither and taken it...” The words בּהּ ויּשׁב , “Machir dwelt therein (in Gilead),” do not point to a later period than the time of Moses, but simply state that the Machirites took possession of Gilead. As soon as Moses had given them the conquered land for their possession, they no doubt brought their families, like the Gadites and Reubenites, and settled them in fortified towns, that they might dwell there in safety, whilst the fighting men helped the other tribes to conquer Canaan. ישׁב signifies not merely “to dwell,” but literally to place oneself, or settle down (e.g., Genesis 36:8, etc.), and is even applied to the temporary sojourn of the Israelites in particular encampments (Numbers 20:1). - Machir (Numbers 32:40): for the sons of Machir, or Machirites (Numbers 26:29). But as Gilead does not mean the whole of the land with this name, but only the northern half, so the sons of Machir are not the whole of his posterity, but simply those who formed the family of Machirites which bore its father's name (Numbers 26:29), i.e., the seven fathers' houses or divisions of the family, the heads of which are named in 1 Chronicles 5:24. The other descendants of Machir through Gilead, who formed the six families of Gilead mentioned in Numbers 26:29-33, and Joshua 17:2, received their inheritance in Canaan proper (Josh 17).
The family of Manasseh named after Machir included “ Jair the son (i.e., descendant) of Manasseh.” Jair, that is to say, was the grandson of a daughter of Machir the son of Manasseh, and therefore a great-grandson of Manasseh on the mother's side. His father Segub was the son of Hezron of the tribe of Judah, who had married a daughter of Manasseh ( 1 Chronicles 2:21-22); so that Jair, or rather Segub, had gone over with his descendants into the maternal tribe, contrary to the ordinary rule, and probably because Machir had portioned his daughter with a rich dowry like an heiress. Jair took possession of the whole of the province of Argob in Bashan, i.e., in the plain of Jaulan and Hauran (Deuteronomy 3:4 and Deuteronomy 3:14), and gave the conquered towns the name of Havvoth Jair , i.e., Jair's-lives (see at Deuteronomy 3:14).
Nobah , whose family is never referred to, but who probably belonged, like Jair, to one of the families of Machirites, took the town of Kenath and its daughters, i.e., the smaller towns dependent upon it (see Numbers 21:25), and gave it his own name Nobah . The name has not been preserved, and is not to be sought, as Kurtz supposes, in the village of Nowa ( Newe ), in Jotan, which is mentioned by Burckhardt (p. 443), and was once a town of half an hour's journey in circumference. For Kenath , which is only mentioned again in 1 Chronicles 2:23 as having been taken from the Israelites by Gesur and Aram, is Κάναθα , which Josephus ( de bell. Jud. i. 19, 2), and Ptolemy speak of as belonging to Coelesyria, and Pliny ( h. n. 5, 16) to Decapolis, and which was situated, according to Jerome , “in the region of Trachonitis, near to Bostra.” The ruins are very extensive even now, being no less than 2 1/2 or 3 miles in circumference, and containing magnificent remains of palaces from the times of Trajan and Hadrian. It is on the western slope of Jebel Hauran, and is only inhabited by a few families of Druses. The present name is Kanuat . (For description, see Seetzen , i. pp. 78ff.; Burckhardt , pp. 157ff.; cf. Ritter, Erdk .)