Numbers 32:20-28

20 So 1Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the LORD for the war,
21 and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the LORD, until he has 2driven out his enemies from before him
22 and the land is subdued before the LORD; then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel, and 3this land shall be your possession before the LORD.
23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and 4be sure your sin will find you out.
24 5Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised."
25 And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, "Your servants will do as my lord commands.
26 6Our little ones, our wives, our livestock, and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead,
27 7but your servants will pass over, every man who is 8armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord orders."
28 So 9Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest and to 10Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel.

Numbers 32:20-28 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.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Deuteronomy 3:18; Joshua 1:13, 14; Joshua 4:12, 13
  • 2. Numbers 33:52
  • 3. Deut. 3:12, 15, 16, 18; Joshua 1:15; Joshua 13:8, 32; Joshua 22:4, 9
  • 4. [Genesis 44:16; Isaiah 59:12]
  • 5. ver. 16; See ver. 34-38
  • 6. Joshua 1:14
  • 7. Joshua 4:12, 13
  • 8. Numbers 31:5
  • 9. Joshua 1:13
  • 10. Numbers 27:18
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.