Numeri 32:16-26

16 Da traten sie herzu und sprachen: Wir wollen nur Schafhürden hier bauen für unser Vieh und Städte für unsere Kinder;

17 wir aber wollen uns rüsten vornan vor den Kindern Israel her, bis daß wir sie bringen an ihren Ort. Unsre Kinder sollen in den verschlossenen Städten bleiben um der Einwohner willen des Landes.

18 Wir wollen nicht heimkehren, bis die Kinder Israel einnehmen ein jeglicher sein Erbe.

19 Denn wir wollen nicht mit ihnen erben jenseit des Jordans, sondern unser Erbe soll uns diesseit des Jordan gegen Morgen gefallen sein. {~}

20 Mose sprach zu Ihnen: Wenn ihr das tun wollt, daß ihr euch rüstet zum Streit vor dem HERRN,

21 so zieht über den Jordan vor dem HERRN, wer unter euch gerüstet ist, bis daß er seine Feinde austreibe von seinem Angesicht

22 und das Land untertan werde dem HERRN; darnach sollt ihr umwenden und unschuldig sein vor dem HERRN und vor Israel und sollt dies Land also haben zu eigen vor dem HERRN.

23 Wo ihr aber nicht also tun wollt, siehe, so werdet ihr euch an dem HERRN versündigen und werdet eurer Sünde innewerden, wenn sie euch finden wird.

24 So bauet nun Städte für eure Kinder und Hürden für euer Vieh und tut, was ihr geredet habt.

25 Die Kinder Gad und die Kinder Ruben sprachen zu Mose: Deine Knechte sollen tun, wie mein Herr geboten hat. {~}

26 Unsre Kinder, Weiber, Habe und all unser Vieh sollen in den Städten Gileads sein;

Numeri 32:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 32

This chapter relates, how that the tribes of Gad and Reuben requested a settlement in the country of Jazer and Gilead, being fit for the pasturage of their cattle, Nu 32:1-5 at which Moses at first was very much displeased, as being unreasonable, and tending to discourage the rest of the people; and as acting a part like that their fathers had done before them, which brought the wrath of God upon them, so that they all but two perished in the wilderness; and this he suggests would be the case again, if such measures were taken, Nu 32:6-15 upon which they explain themselves, and declare they had no intention of forsaking their brethren, but were willing to leave their children and cattle to the care of divine Providence, and go armed before Israel, until they were brought into, and settled in the land of Canaan; nor did they desire any part or inheritance in it, Nu 32:16-19, this satisfied Moses, and he agreed to it, that the land they requested should be their possession, provided the conditions were fulfilled by them, which they proposed, Nu 20:20-24, and which they again agreed unto, and promised to perform, Nu 32:25-27, wherefore Moses gave orders to Eleazar, Joshua, and the chief fathers of the tribes, to put them in possession of the land of Gilead on those conditions, Nu 32:28-30 and which were again promised that they would observe, Nu 32:31,32, and at the same time Moses made a grant of the kingdoms of Sihon and of Og to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, Nu 32:33 and the chapter is closed with an account of the cities built or repaired by the children of Gad and Reuben, Nu 32:34-38 and of the cities in Gilead taken and possessed by the children of Machir, and by Jair, who were of the tribe of Manasseh, Nu 32:39-42.