Deuteronomy 3:19

19 "But your wives and children can stay in the towns I've given you. You can keep your livestock there too. I know you have a lot of livestock.

Deuteronomy 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:19

But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle
These were to be left behind: for

I know that ye have much cattle;
which made the countries of Gilead and Bashan, so famous for pasturage, agreeable to them; see ( Numbers 32:1 ) these, under the care of servants, and also their wives and children,

shall abide in your cities which I have given you;
and which they rebuilt and repaired, ( Numbers 32:34-42 ) .

Deuteronomy 3:19 In-Context

17 The western border of Reuben and Gad is the Jordan River in the Arabah Valley. It reaches from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It runs below the slopes of Pisgah.

18 Here is the command I gave at that time to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh. I said, "The LORD your God has given you this land as your very own. But all of your strong men must be prepared for battle. They must cross over ahead of the rest of your fellow Israelites.

19 "But your wives and children can stay in the towns I've given you. You can keep your livestock there too. I know you have a lot of livestock.

20 Let your families and livestock stay in those towns until the LORD gives peace and rest to the other tribes, just as he has given you peace and rest. And let them stay until the other tribes have taken over the land the LORD your God is giving them. That land is across the Jordan River. After that, each of you may go back to the land I've given you as your very own."

21 At that time I gave Joshua a command. I said, "Your own eyes have seen everything the LORD your God has done to Sihon and Og. He will do the same thing to all of the kingdoms in the land where you are going.