Números 32:16-26

16 Pero ellos se acercaron a Moisés y le dijeron:
—Nosotros simplemente queremos construir corrales para nuestros animales y ciudades fortificadas para nuestras esposas e hijos.

17 Después tomaremos las armas e iremos al frente de nuestros hermanos israelitas a la batalla, hasta que los llevemos seguros a su tierra. Mientras tanto, nuestras familias se quedarán en las ciudades fortificadas que construiremos aquí, para que no corran peligro de los ataques de la gente del lugar.

18 No volveremos a nuestras casas hasta que todo el pueblo de Israel haya recibido su porción de tierra.

19 Sin embargo, no reclamamos ninguna parte de la tierra del otro lado del Jordán. Preferimos vivir aquí, al oriente del Jordán y la aceptamos como nuestra porción de tierra.

20 Entonces Moisés les dijo:
—Si ustedes cumplen su palabra y se preparan para ir a la batalla del Señor
,

21 y si sus tropas cruzan el Jordán y siguen en la lucha hasta que el Señor
expulse a sus enemigos,

22 entonces podrán volver cuando el Señor
haya conquistado la tierra. Habrán cumplido con su deber ante el Señor
y ante el resto del pueblo de Israel. Y la tierra al oriente del Jordán será su propiedad de parte del Señor
.

23 Pero si no cumplen su palabra, entonces habrán pecado contra el Señor
y estén seguros de que su pecado los alcanzará.

24 Adelante, entonces, construyan ciudades para sus familias y corrales para sus rebaños, pero cumplan con todo lo que prometieron.

25 Entonces los hombres de Gad y de Rubén respondieron:
—Nosotros, tus servidores, seguiremos tus instrucciones al pie de la letra.

26 Nuestros hijos y nuestras esposas, los rebaños y el ganado permanecerán aquí en las ciudades de Galaad.

Números 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.