Numbers 32:6

6 Moses told the people of Gad and Reuben, "Shall your brothers go to war while you stay behind?

Numbers 32:6 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:6

And Moses said unto the children of Gad, and to the children of
Reuben
Being displeased with their motion, as his following discourse shows, it having at first sight an appearance of covetousness and cowardice:

shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?
it is not reasonable that your brethren should be left by you and engage in a war with your common enemies, to dispossess them of their land before they can settle in it and you remain here easy and quiet in the possession of a fruitful country.

Numbers 32:6 In-Context

4 They said, "We, your servants, have flocks and herds. The Lord has captured for the Israelites a land that is good for animals -- the land around Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon.

5 If it pleases you, we would like this land to be given to us. Don't make us cross the Jordan River."

6 Moses told the people of Gad and Reuben, "Shall your brothers go to war while you stay behind?

7 You will discourage the Israelites from going over to the land the Lord has given them.

8 Your ancestors did the same thing. I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look at the land.