Numbers 32:16

16 Then the Reubenites and Gadites came up to Moses and said, "We will build pens for our animals and cities for our children here.

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 you are acting just like your ancestors! You sinful people are making the Lord even more angry with Israel.

15 If you quit following him, it will add to their stay in the desert, and you will destroy all these people."

16 Then the Reubenites and Gadites came up to Moses and said, "We will build pens for our animals and cities for our children here.

17 Then our children will be in strong, walled cities, safe from the people who live in this land. Then we will prepare for war. We will help the other Israelites get their land,

18 and we will not return home until every Israelite has received his land.