Numbers 32

Chap. XXXII. Ver. 1—42. Two tribes and a half settle on the east side of Jordan.—The tribes of Reuben and Gad being rich in cattle, profess a desire to settle in the plains of Jordan, on the east side of the river, as a fine grazing country; Moses, indeed, who had been much tried by the waywardness of the former generation, had a very natural suspicion, that they had other motives than they expressed; in short, that they wished to sit down and enjoy the land already conquered, without sharing with their brethren in the danger and fatigue of farther conquests. He was also justly apprehensive, that if this were permitted, it might discourage their brethren to be thus deserted by them; and induce them, also, to stop short of the promised land.

Upon the matter, however, being fully explained to Moses, and on their cheerfully agreeing to assist their brethren to subdue the nations on the other side the Jordan, he readily acquiesced in the proposal, still cautioning them against duplicity, with this just and striking admonition: “Be sure your sin will find you out!” An admonition not more appropriate to them than it is to us, who are risen up in our “fathers’ stead,

Notes on the verses

Ver. 60. We have therefore brought an oblation.—(The officers of the army having mustered their men, found they had not lost a man in the contest with Midian! Penetrated with gratitude for this most remarkable interposition of Providence in their favour, they now offer to Jehovah the golden jewels which they had found among the spoil, to the amount of 16,750 shekels, equal to about $16,364 of our money. Hence originated the practice among various nations of dedicating a portion of the spoil to their gods. Before the spoils were distributed, the Greeks considered themselves wise to dedicate a part of them to their gods, to whose assistance they reckoned themselves indebted for them all. But besides the public offerings of the nation, the soldiers often of their own accord consecrated a part of their spoils to the God of battles.

They had several methods of doing this: at one time, they collected them in a heap and consumed them by fire; at another, they consecrated their offerings in the temples. Pausanias, the Spartan, is spoken of to have consecrated out of the Persian spoils a tripod to Delphian Apollo, and a statue of brass, seven cubits long, to Olympian Jupiter. See Paxton’s Illustrations.]—Bagster.—“As we travelled onwards, we discerned the gilt cupola of the tomb of Fatmeh, at Koom. We were not permitted to enter within the mausoleum, but we were told, the tomb itself, and the bars of the gate that surround it, are of solid silver, and that its gates are plated with gold, upon which are inscribed sentences of the Koran.

All around the tomb are hung up, in great display, various offerings, consisting of [pieces] of jewellery, arms, rich apparel, and other things that are counted scarce and precious.”—Morier. Chap., XXXII. Ver. 16. Build a house.—His proposal was very equitable, and it was made and faithfully executed; though it did not imply that all men capable of bearing arms should go, and so leave their families and possessions defenceless, but only a sufficient detachment of them. Among the inhabitants of the land were the Amorites, Moabites, Idumeans, and the remains of the Midianites and Amorites; and as it was impossible for the women and children to keep the defended cities, when placed in them, many of the men of war must of course stay behind.

In the last census, (ch. xxvi.) the tribe of Reuben consisted of 43,730 men; the tribe of Gad 40,500; and the tribe of Manasseh 52,700; the half of which is 26,350; which together amount to 110,580. Now, from (Joshua 4:13). we learn, that of these tribes only 40,000 armed men passed over Jordan to assist their brethren; consequently 70,580 men were left behind for the defence of the women, the children, and the flocks; which was amply sufficient for this purpose.]—Bagster. Ver. 17. Will go peaceably armed.—Hebrew, ‘Will go armed and readily;” i.e. as immediately explained, will go before the children of Israel, in the van, or front of the army.