Numbers 32:20

20 Moses said to them, "Do this and fight before the LORD in war.

Numbers 32:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:20

And Moses said unto them
Being better disposed towards them, and more satisfied with the reasonableness of their request, it being explained unto him:

if ye will do this thing;
which they had promised:

if ye will go armed before the Lord to war;
they had said they would go ready armed before the children of Israel, but Moses expresses it "before the Lord"; which is more agreeable to their encampment and order in marching, for not the standard of Reuben but that of Judah went foremost, yet the standard of Reuben marched directly before the sanctuary bore by the Kohathites, ( Numbers 10:18 Numbers 10:21 ) , and so might be properly said to go before the Lord, who dwelt there.

Numbers 32:20 In-Context

18 And we won't return to our homes until each one of the Israelites takes possession of his property.

19 We won't inherit land with them there across the Jordan, because we've received our property on the east side of the Jordan."

20 Moses said to them, "Do this and fight before the LORD in war.

21 All of you who are equipped for war, cross the Jordan before the LORD until he has driven his enemies out before him

22 and the land is subdued in the LORD's presence. Then you may return innocently before the LORD and Israel, and this land will be your property before the LORD.