Numbers 32

In Numbers 32, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who had large numbers of livestock, request that Moses allow them to settle east of the Jordan River rather than crossing into the Promised Land with the rest of the Israelites. This chapter reveals the negotiations and conditions placed upon these tribes, emphasizing unity among the tribes of Israel and commitment to God's promises.

Numbers 32:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock,
2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying,
3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon,

These verses introduce the reason behind the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. They had large herds of livestock, and they noticed that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were ideal for raising their animals. This prompts them to approach Moses, Eleazar the priest, and other leaders, listing specific cities they want to settle in. These cities are located east of the Jordan River, showing the tribes' desire to stay in the fertile plains instead of entering the Promised Land with the others.

Numbers 32:4-5 (NKJV)
4 the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.”
5 Therefore they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.”

The Reubenites and Gadites emphasize that this land, which God had already given to Israel through victories, is perfect for their livestock. They ask Moses for permission to stay and settle there rather than crossing the Jordan into the land of Canaan. This request seems practical from their point of view, but it also raises concerns about unity and commitment to God's broader promise for all the tribes.

Numbers 32:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: “Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?
7 Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?”

Moses responds by questioning the wisdom of their request. He is concerned that allowing the Reubenites and Gadites to settle east of the Jordan while the rest of Israel goes to war for the Promised Land will demoralize the other tribes. He fears this could weaken their resolve to enter and conquer the land God has given them, thus causing disunity among the people.

Numbers 32:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Thus your fathers did when I sent them away 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, so that they did not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

Moses recalls the previous failure of Israel when the spies, sent from Kadesh Barnea, brought back a negative report about the Promised Land. Their fear and lack of faith discouraged the people, leading to Israel's refusal to enter the land. This disobedience resulted in God’s judgment, causing that generation to wander the wilderness for 40 years. Moses warns the tribes of Reuben and Gad against repeating this mistake.

Numbers 32:10-12 (NKJV)
10 So the LORD’s anger was aroused on that day, and He swore an oath, saying,
11 ‘Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not wholly followed Me,
12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the LORD.’

Moses reminds them of the consequences of their ancestors' disobedience. Because the people refused to trust God and enter the Promised Land, all those aged 20 and above who left Egypt were forbidden from entering, with the exceptions of Caleb and Joshua, who had remained faithful. Moses stresses that a lack of faith and unity could once again provoke God's anger and hinder Israel's mission.

Numbers 32:13-15 (NKJV)
13 So the LORD’s anger was aroused 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 gone.
14 And look! You have risen in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to increase still more the fierce anger of the LORD against Israel.
15 For if you turn away from following Him, He will once again leave them in the wilderness, and you will destroy all these people.”

Moses highlights the potential danger of the Reubenites and Gadites’ actions. He warns that their desire to settle apart from the rest of Israel could be seen as turning away from God's plan. If they repeat their fathers’ rebellion, God might abandon Israel again, leaving them in the wilderness to face destruction. Moses stresses that their choice could have dire consequences for the entire nation.

Numbers 32:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Then they came near to him and said: “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones,
17 but we ourselves will be armed, ready to go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones will dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad respond to Moses' concerns by offering a compromise. They propose to build enclosures for their livestock and secure cities for their families in the land east of the Jordan, but they promise to go into battle with the rest of Israel. They will fight alongside their brethren until everyone has settled in the Promised Land. This solution shows their willingness to contribute to the unity and success of Israel.

Numbers 32:18-19 (NKJV)
18 We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received 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 eastern side of the Jordan.”

The Reubenites and Gadites affirm their commitment to helping the other tribes secure their inheritance before settling themselves. They recognize that their own inheritance will be east of the Jordan, separate from the land of Canaan, but they will not rest until all Israel has received what God promised. This statement underscores their loyalty to the collective mission of the nation.

Numbers 32:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Then Moses said to them: “If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
21 and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven out His enemies from before Him,
22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the LORD and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

Moses agrees to their proposal on the condition that they follow through on their promise. They must arm themselves and fight alongside the other tribes until the land is fully subdued. Once that is accomplished, they can return to the east of the Jordan and settle without any guilt or blame before God or the rest of Israel. Moses emphasizes that this agreement must be carried out in faithfulness to the Lord.

Numbers 32:23-24 (NKJV)
23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
24 Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what has proceeded out of your mouth.”

Moses gives them a solemn warning: if they fail to keep their word, it will be considered a sin against the Lord, and their sin will surely come to light. He urges them to act with integrity, keeping their commitment to fight for their fellow Israelites. Moses permits them to go ahead with their plan of building cities and enclosures, as long as they honor their vow to fight.

Numbers 32:25-27 (NKJV)
25 And 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 livestock will be there in the cities of Gilead;
27 but your servants will cross over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”

The tribes of Gad and Reuben reaffirm their commitment to Moses' conditions. They agree that their families and livestock will remain in the cities of Gilead while the men will arm themselves and cross the Jordan to fight alongside the other tribes. Their willingness to obey and serve as Moses instructed shows their determination to uphold unity and faithfulness in Israel.

Numbers 32:28-30 (NKJV)
28 So Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel.
29 And Moses said to them: “If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as a possession.
30 But if they do not cross over armed with you, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.”

Moses sets the agreement in stone by giving commands to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the other tribal leaders. If the tribes of Reuben and Gad fulfill their promise and cross the Jordan armed for battle, they will receive the land of Gilead as their inheritance. However, if they fail to keep their word, they will be given land in Canaan, ensuring they do not escape responsibility.

Numbers 32:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying: “As the LORD has said to your servants, so we will do.
32 We will cross over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, but the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us on this side of the Jordan.”

Once again, the tribes of Gad and Reuben pledge their commitment to follow through with the agreement. They will cross into Canaan fully armed, ready to fight alongside the rest of Israel, while their inheritance will remain east of the Jordan. This repeated affirmation shows their resolve to honor the covenant and remain faithful to God's command and Moses' leadership.

Numbers 32:33 (NKJV)
33 So Moses gave to the children of Gad, 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 king of Bashan, the land with its cities within the borders, the cities of the surrounding country.

Moses formally grants the land to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, expanding the arrangement to include Manasseh as well. They receive the territory of the kingdoms of Sihon and Og, which Israel had conquered. This land includes many cities and fertile areas ideal for their livestock and families, fulfilling their request while maintaining the unity of the nation.

Numbers 32:34-36 (NKJV)
34 And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer,
35 Atroth and Shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah,
36 Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran, fortified cities, and folds for sheep.

The tribe of Gad begins building and fortifying cities in their newly granted land. They establish cities like Dibon, Jazer, and Beth Nimrah, and they also construct folds for their livestock. These cities and enclosures ensure that their families and animals are safe and secure while the men go off to fight with the rest of Israel.

Numbers 32:37-38 (NKJV)
37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kirjathaim,
38 Nebo and Baal Meon (their names being changed) and Shibmah; and they gave other names to the cities which they built.

Likewise, the tribe of Reuben builds cities in their portion of the land, including Heshbon, Nebo, and Baal Meon. The mention of changing the names of these cities suggests an effort to remove pagan associations and establish a new identity for these regions as part of Israel's inheritance. This renaming reflects their commitment to honoring God in their new homeland.

Numbers 32:39-42 (NKJV)
39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it.
40 So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he dwelt in it.
41 Also Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its small towns, and called them Havoth Jair.
42 Then Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and he called it Nobah, after his own name.

The half-tribe of Manasseh, represented by the families of Machir, Jair, and Nobah, takes possession of additional lands. They conquer Gilead and other areas from the Amorites, claiming the land for themselves. By renaming these towns, such as Havoth Jair and Nobah, they establish their authority and ownership, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel to settle the land east of the Jordan.