Numbers 32:37

37 The descendants of Reuben built the towns of Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,

Numbers 32:37 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:37

And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and
Kirjathaim.
] Heshbon was the royal city of Sihon king of the Amorites, and Elealeh was within a mile of it, see ( Numbers 32:3 ) , this shows that those cities were not built anew properly, only repaired, for they were cities in being long before; besides, they had not time to build new cities, for in a few months after this they passed over Jordan; though indeed they left men enough behind to rebuild cities, whom they might set to work about them when they departed: Kirjathaim is, by the Targum of Jonathan, called the city of two streets paved with marble, and it adds, this is Beresha: Jerom ^F20 says, it is now called Coraiatha, which is pretty near its ancient name, and that it is ten miles from Medeba, a city of Arabia, mentioned as one of the cities in the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, ( Numbers 21:30 ) ( Isaiah 15:2 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 De loc. Heb. fol. 89. M.

Numbers 32:37 In-Context

35 Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,

36 Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran. These were all fortified towns with pens for their flocks.

37 The descendants of Reuben built the towns of Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,

38 Nebo, Baal-meon, and Sibmah. They changed the names of some of the towns they conquered and rebuilt.

39 Then the descendants of Makir of the tribe of Manasseh went to Gilead and conquered it, and they drove out the Amorites living there.