Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 32:34
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and the founder of the tribe of Gad, which was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was also the name of a prophet during David's time.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.5 § Gad = "troop" 1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher. 2) the tribe descended from Gad 3) a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God"
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: Gad. See also: Genesis 30:11; Joshua 22:10; Jeremiah 49:1.
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
Dibon was a town in Moab that the Israelites took over and rebuilt, as described in Numbers. It was also known as Dibon-gad when the tribe of Gad lived there. The KJV translates it as 'Dibon'.
Definition: Dibon = "wasting" a town in Moab on the east side of the Jordan which was taken over by the Israelites and rebuilt by the children of Gad Another name of di.von (דִּיבֹן, דִּימוֹן "Dibon" H1769G)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Dibon. (Also, with H1410 (גָּד) added, Dibon-gad.) See also: Numbers 21:30; Joshua 13:9; Isaiah 15:2.
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
Ataroth means crowns, a place between Ephraim and Benjamin in Palestine. It appears in the Bible as a boundary location. The name represents a crown or a place of honor.
Definition: § Ataroth = "crowns" a place on the boundary of Ephraim and Manasseh between Ephraim and Benjamin
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Ataroth. See also: Numbers 32:3; Joshua 16:2; Joshua 16:7.
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
Aroer is a place name in the Bible, referring to three different locations in or near Palestine. The name means ruins, and it is mentioned in the book of Joshua. This place was significant in biblical times.
Definition: § Aroer = "ruins" a town in southern Judah
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Aroer. See also: Numbers 32:34; Judges 11:26; Isaiah 17:2.
Context — The Tribes East of the Jordan
32We will cross over into the land of Canaan armed before the LORD, that we may have our inheritance on this side of the Jordan.”
33So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them.
34And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
35Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,
36Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Deuteronomy 2:36 |
From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead, not one city had walls too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them. |
| 2 |
Numbers 32:3 |
“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, |
| 3 |
Isaiah 17:2 |
The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. |
| 4 |
Numbers 21:20 |
and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland. |
| 5 |
Numbers 33:45–46 |
They set out from Iyim and camped at Dibon-gad. They set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim. |
Numbers 32:34 Summary
In Numbers 32:34, the Gadites were building up cities like Dibon, Ataroth, and Aroer, as part of their inheritance given by Moses. This shows that they were taking responsibility for the land and resources God had given them, and were working hard to make their new home a safe and secure place. Just like the Gadites, we can trust God to provide for us and give us the strength we need to accomplish the tasks He has given us (Psalm 37:3-7), and we can work together with others to build up and strengthen our communities (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). By being good stewards of what God has given us, we can show our love and gratitude for Him and for the blessings He has given us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the Gadites doing in Numbers 32:34?
The Gadites were building up cities, as part of their inheritance given by Moses, after they had requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan, as seen in Numbers 32:33 and Deuteronomy 3:12-17.
Why were the Gadites and other tribes building fortified cities?
The Gadites and other tribes were building fortified cities for protection and defense, as they were settling in a new land and needed to secure their territory, similar to what is mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:5.
What can we learn from the Gadites' actions in this verse?
We can learn about the importance of hard work, responsibility, and stewardship from the Gadites' actions, as they were taking care of the land and cities given to them by God, as seen in Numbers 32:34 and Leviticus 25:23.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the Israelites?
This verse is part of the larger story of the Israelites' conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, as described in the book of Numbers and Joshua 1:1-9, and shows how different tribes were given specific territories to inhabit and care for.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can be a good steward of the resources and responsibilities God has given me, just like the Gadites were with their cities?
- How can I work together with others to build up and strengthen our community, like the Gadites and other tribes did in Numbers 32:34-36?
- What are some things I can do to protect and defend my faith and the values that are important to me, like the Gadites did by building fortified cities?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for me and give me the strength and wisdom I need to accomplish the tasks He has given me, just like the Gadites trusted God to help them settle their new land?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 32:34
And the children of Gad built,.... Or rather repaired the walls and fortifications, and rebuilt houses which had been demolished in the wars with Sihon and Og; when the following places were taken by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 32:34
And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, The children of Gad built - (see the note at Numbers 32:16). Dibon - identified with the extensive ruins called Dhiban, three miles north of the Arnon (Mojeb).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 32:34
i.e. Repaired and fortified, as that word is oft used, as 11:5 26:2 ; for they neither had need nor leisure as yet to do more, the old cities not being burnt and ruined, as divers in Canaan were.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 32:34
(34) And the children of Gad built Dibon . . . Better, repaired or fortified. Some of the cities mentioned in this and the following verses—as, e.g., Dibon and Heshbon—are mentioned also in Numbers 21 in connection with the conquest of the Amoritish territory. It is not probable that new cities would have been built at this time, nor did the circumstances of the Israelites admit of the delay which would have been involved in such an undertaking. It was at Dibon that the Moabite stone was discovered by Mr. Klein in 1868. For the geographical position and modern names of the towns mentioned in these verses, see Keil (in loc). In the distribution of the towns by Joshua, some of the southernmost towns repaired or fortified by the Gadites appear to have fallen to the tribe of Reuben. (See Joshua 13:16-17.) Heshbon, on the other hand, appears to have fallen to the lot of the tribe of Gad, and to have been assigned to the Levites (1 Chronicles 6:80-81).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 32:34
Verse 34. The children of Gad built - Aroer] This was situated on the river Arnon, Deuteronomy 2:36; 2Kg 10:33. It was formerly inhabited by the Emim, a warlike and perhaps gigantic people. They were expelled by the Moabites; the Moabites by the Amorites; and the Amorites by the Israelites. The Gadites then possessed it till the captivity of their tribe, with that of Reuben and the half of the tribe of Manasseh, by the Assyrians, 2Kg 15:29, after which the Moabites appear to have repossessed it, as they seem to have occupied it in the days of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 48:15-20.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 32:34
34–38. Many of these towns have been identified with some probability. But the list represents a tradition very different from that in Joshua 13:15-28 , and must be ultimately derived from an earlier source, though in its present form it was probably written by a priestly writer. In Joshua 13:15-28 Reuben occupies the position which is ordinarily represented on modern maps, on the south of Gad, the dividing line between them running east from about the northern point of the Dead Sea. But in the present passage Reuben’s position is not so independent. Five of the six towns assigned to them in Numbers 32:37-38 are situated in a district about midway between the Jabbok and the Arnon, and lie between Gadite towns to the north and south of them. They are thus represented as occupying an enclave within the Gadite area. Sibmah is unknown, as also are Atroth-shophan and Beth-nimrah. See G. A.
Smith, Hist. Geogr. p. 567.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 32:34
The cities here named fall into three groups. On Dibon, compare Numbers 21:19. The Moabite stone was discovered here in 1868.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 32:34
34. Built — Restored and fortified. Dibon,… Ataroth,… Aroer — Joshua 13:16-17, notes.