Deuteronomy 3:19

19 Your wives, children, and numerous livestock, however, may stay behind in the towns I have given you.

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 They also received the Jordan Valley, all the way from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea, with the Jordan River serving as the western boundary. To the east were the slopes of Pisgah.

18 “At that time I gave this command to the tribes that would live east of the Jordan: ‘Although the LORD your God has given you this land as your property, all your fighting men must cross the Jordan ahead of your Israelite relatives, armed and ready to assist them.

19 Your wives, children, and numerous livestock, however, may stay behind in the towns I have given you.

20 When the LORD has given security to the rest of the Israelites, as he has to you, and when they occupy the land the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan River, then you may all return here to the land I have given you.’

21 “At that time I gave Joshua this charge: ‘You have seen for yourself everything the LORD your God has done to these two kings. He will do the same to all the kingdoms on the west side of the Jordan.