Numbers 32
OGCNumbers 32:1-5
**E. REQUEST OF GAD AND REUBEN (Numbers 32:1-5)
TEXT**
Numbers 32:1. 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.
PARAPHRASE
Numbers 32:1. Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock. So when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was a suitable place for livestock, 2. the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 3. Ataroth, Dobon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, 4. the land which the Lord conquered before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock; and your servants have livestock. 5. And they said, If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession; do not take us across the Jordan.
COMMENTARY
We may infer that the herds of Gad and Reuben had, by some means, grown more rapidly than had those of the other tribes, and their request must be based upon this situation. The land of Jazer, or Jaazer, is situated just east of the Jordan in the vicinity of Heshbon. Gilead is the common name for the greater portion of the territory beyond the Jordan, sometimes even including the land of Bashan which is east of the Sea of Galilee. In its most restrictive sense the term Gilead refers to the area from the northern tip of the Dead Sea to the Yarmuk River and the Sea of Galilee. The area is mountainous, but there are also occasional plateaus and plains, with large areas offering pasture land and tillable fields. It must certainly have looked most desirable to these shepherding people, after considering the relatively barren land through which they had come.
The nine settlements mentioned in Numbers 32:3 are all in the southern section of the eastern land; they were later divided with four going to Gad and five to Reuben. It is possible that the flocks and herds of the entire nation were grazing well within the area the cities described. At this time the tribes had not received their allocations. When Gad and Reuben asked for portions on the east of Jordan, the request would seem out of order. Whether they coveted the finest pasture land, or wanted to escape having to assist in driving the pagan tribes out of the land across the Jordan, or whether they had some other motive altogether is not told; Moses understood their reason to be the second of these. History would later show their choice, if not their faith, to have been faulty.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
What reasons could the two tribes have had for wanting to settle east of the Jordan?
Give the areas specified, and describe them, as Gad and Reuben made their requests.
Follow the decay and downfall of the eastern tribes in later time, especially after the division of the Kingdom of Israel. Can this be traced in any way to their choice of territory?
Numbers 32:6-15
F. REBUKE BY MOSES vv. 6-15 TEXT
Numbers 32:6. 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 Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9. For when they went up into 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.
PARAPHRASE
Numbers 32:6. But Moses said to the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here? 7. And why do you now discourage the children of Israel from crossing into the land which the Lord has given them? 8. This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9. For when they went up to the wady of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the children of Israel so that they did not go into the land which the Lord had given them. 10. So the Lord’s anger burned in that day, and He swore, saying, 11. -Indeed, none of the men who came up from Egypt, twenty years old and up, shall see the land which I pledged to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob because they have not fully followed me. 12. excepting Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have fully followed the Lord.-’ 13. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he made them wander forty years in the wilderness, until the entire generation of those who had sinned in the sight of the Lord were destroyed. 14. And behold, you are risen up in your fathers-’ place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the fierce anger of the Lord toward Israel. 15. For if you turn away from following Him, He will once more abandon them in the wilderness; and you will destroy all these people.
COMMENTARY
The anxieties and fears shown by Moses are readily understandable. Above all other things, he most wanted to prevent another fiasco like that at Kadesh-Barnea. There the disobedient people incurred the righteous wrath of God, and their stubbornness had cost the lives of virtually the entire group, besides the forty years of time lost in the wilderness. The suggestion from Gad and Reuben at this juncture conceivably could produce a rift among God’s people again, and who could predict the possible consequences? Moses-’ conclusion that the two tribes hoped to avoid having to participate in the military campaign in the west is logical. He further, concluded that such action would disturb the essential unity of the tribes. Almost exactly the same charge would later be leveled against the two tribes by Deborah (Judges 5:16-17), and with sound reason. For one-sixth of the group to stand back now and disengage themselves arbitrarily from Israel’s advance into the Promised Land would have dulled the glory of the moment of triumph to say the least; at most, it could have served as a disquieting and discouraging element of such magnitude as to cause the remainder of the people to refuse to advance any farther. Thus the situation of Kadesh-Barnea could easily have been repeated.
Are the words of Moses unnecessarily harsh? His response to the circumstantial request is immediate; he has not asked for an explanation: and he does not consult the Lord first before voicing his own objections: this hardly seemed necessary. But he was not omniscient, and regardless of the manner in which the issue came to its settlement, his forthright zeal to protect God’s people had been evidenced. Moses was not being stubborn or inconsiderate or illogical; he was taking a positive stand for right as he understood it. That he later qualified his stand is irrelevant, excepting to show the great stature of the man who, when all the facts are introduced into the picture, was willing to modify his position when he was satisfied that the principle for which he contended would not fall. Beyond doubt those who made the suggestion among the two tribes were young men whose minds had little or no recollection of the analogous circumstance to which Moses compared this one. He speaks from wisdom and experience. Nothing in the incident can be understood as a reflection upon his integrity, his character, or his intelligence. He simply does not want disastrous history to repeat itself if he can prevent it.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
What did Moses fear as possible results if Gad and Reuben were permitted to settle east of the Jordan?
What possible motives might they have had?
To what historical situation and incident did he compare the choice before them?
Defend the propriety of Moses-’ words.
What is there in the incident which makes you think more highly of Moses?
What later historical events seem to suggest that Moses-’ fears were not entirely ungrounded?
Numbers 32:16-19
G. THE TRIBES-’ PLEDGE vv. 16-19 TEXT
Numbers 32:16. 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.
PARAPHRASE
Numbers 32:16. Then they came near him and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, 17. but we ourselves will go armed and ready before the children of Israel until we have brought them unto their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18. We will not return to our houses until the each of the Children of Israel had taken his inheritance. 19. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.
COMMENTARY
The answer given Moses by Gad and Reuben made it apparent that their intentions in settling east of the Jordan are not those he had feared. They were more than willing to assist their brothers to whatever degree it was necessary in clearing out the western lands; they desired only to be allowed this productive portion for themselves, and that they first be allowed to make shelters for their animals and cities, or camps, for their families. These camps would have been fortified villages in which the women, children and the aged could enjoy a degree of protection.
To make their willingness completely clear, the two tribes offer not only to go with the other ten, but to arm themselves and precede the others until the conquest is complete. Only then will they return to their homes and families. We encounter some difficulty in understanding just what the two spokesmen meant in affirming our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of Jordan eastward, Numbers 32:19. The allotment has not yet been made, (see Numbers 33:16 ff.), and we have been given no decree from any source that any of the tribes would be permitted to settle here. The statement is best understood to designate the tribal preference, rather than an official allocation, as if to say, With your permission and the Lord’S, we should like this area to be considered our allotment. Apparently none of the other tribes had any objections, to say nothing of any resentment, of the plan and request, which must have been an important factor in resolving the question.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
Show how the Gadites and Reubenites demonstrated their desire to maintain their strong ties with the other tribes.
What conditions did they lay down as preliminary to moving forward to clear out the land?
Looking ahead, how long was it to be before these men would return to their families, and who gave them permission to do so?
Explain how the territory they sought could be called their inheritance.
Numbers 32:20-33
H. LAND GIVEN TO GAD, REUBEN, AND ONE-HALF OF MANASSEH vv. 20-33 TEXT
Numbers 32:20. 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.
PARAPHRASE
Numbers 32:20. So Moses said to them, If you will do this, if you will go armed before the Lord 21, and all of your armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out from before him, 22. then later you shall return and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. 23. But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. 24. Build cities for yourselves, and for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; then do what you have promised. 25. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben said to Moses, Your servants will do just 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 armed for war, before the Lord to battle, just as my lord says.
- So Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers-’ households 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 across the Jordan, each man armed for battle, before the Lord, and the land shall be overcome before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession; 30. but if they will not cross 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 has said unto your servants, that is just what we will do. 32. We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, in order that the possession of our inheritance may be ours on this side of the Jordan. 33. And Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to one-half of 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 its cities and their environs, the cities in the surrounding country.
COMMENTARY
The offer of service is quite acceptable to Moses. If the tribes will keep their word to go before the Lord and fight until the land of Canaan is cleared, they may have their request, and their inheritance east of Jordan will be granted. Should they renege in any manner, however, and fail to do exactly as they have promised, their sins would be brought graphically to their attention, and they shall regret their folly. If a pledge made by an individual Israelite was considered inviolate, we may well attach supreme importance to such a promise made by this large segment of the nation. Failure under these circumstances could bring disaster upon the total nation.
We are told now (Numbers 32:33) of the inheritance of the one-half tribe of Manasseh, without having been told of the division of the tribe; they were not named at all in the negotiations. Whether there had been division within the tribe; whether Gad and Reuben were more prominent as spokesmen in the discussions; or, whether it was advisable to split the number because this tribe had multiplied so rapidly, we are not told. The answer may well be found later (Numbers 32:39-42).
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
Suggest what punishment the Lord might have brought upon the men of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh if they failed to honor their pledge.
Why does the half-tribe of Manasseh now join with the others in the pledge?
What reasons may be given for the division of Manasseh’s tribe?
Numbers 32:34-42
I. CITIES BUILT OR TAKEN IN THE LAND vv. 34-42 TEXT
Numbers 32:34. And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, 35. And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, 36. And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities; and folds for sheep. 37. And the children of Reuben built Hesbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, 38. And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (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 Havorth-jair. 42. And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
PARAPHRASE
Numbers 32:34. And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, 36. and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds for sheep. 37. And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim, 38. and Nebo and Baal-meon (their names were changed) and Sibmah, and they gave other names to the cities they built. 39. And the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were there in it. 40. So Moses gave Gilead to Machir, the son of Manasseh, and he lived in it. 41. And Jair, the son of Manasseh, went in and took their villages, and called them Hawoth-jair. 42. And Nobah went in and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
COMMENTARY
The text must not be made to mean that the named cities were first constructed by the Israelites; rather, they were rebuilt or restored, in order to provide the necessary security for the families who would remain there. All of the cities are located between the Arnon and the Jabbok rivers. The general territory was very unstable in later days, with much of the area fluctuating between the Gadites, Reubenites, Ammonites, and Moabites. The boundaries are often very difficult to ascertain.
The incident related in Numbers 32:39 is followed by Manasseh’s settlement of Gilead. The descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh, were especially prominent in taking this territory, and apparently this was the reason Moses awarded them the land. Gilead here is used to apply to the land north of the Yarmukthe area more often known as Bashanindicating a broad use of the term.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
In what sense are the Israelites said to have built the cities in Gilead?
Using a good Bible encyclopedia, determine the widest and most narrow sense in which Gilead is used.
How does this passage of the text help show the probable reason for awarding of a portion of the eastern territory to half of the tribe of Manasseh?