Numbers 32:16

16 They came close to him and said, "All we want to do is build corrals for our livestock and towns for our families.

Numbers 32:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:16

And they came near unto him
The heads of the tribes of Gad and Reuben came a little nearer to Moses, having something more to say unto him, in order to explain their meaning, and in doing which they used some degree of freedom and boldness with him, see ( Genesis 44:18 )

and said, we will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for
our little ones
not build new ones, but repair the old ones; for there were cities enough in the country, as before named, and no doubt sheepfolds too, as the land was a place of cattle, but those were through the war broken down and demolished, and needed repairing; and this they proposed to do, and leave their children and their cattle to the care of their servants, under the protection of the divine Providence, and did not mean for the present to take up their abode here.

Numbers 32:16 In-Context

14 "And now here you are, just one more mob of sinners stepping up to replace your ancestors, throwing fuel on the already blazing anger of God against Israel.

15 If you won't follow him, he'll do it again. He'll dump them in the desert and the disaster will be all your fault."

16 They came close to him and said, "All we want to do is build corrals for our livestock and towns for our families.

17 Then we'll take up arms and take the front lines, leading the People of Israel to their place. We'll be able to leave our families behind, secure in fortified towns, safe from those who live in the land.

18 But we won't go back home until every Israelite is in full possession of his inheritance.