Numbers 32:20

20 To whom Moses said, If ye do that, that ye promise, be ye made ready, and go ye to (the) battle before the Lord;

Numbers 32:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:20

And Moses said unto them
Being better disposed towards them, and more satisfied with the reasonableness of their request, it being explained unto him:

if ye will do this thing;
which they had promised:

if ye will go armed before the Lord to war;
they had said they would go ready armed before the children of Israel, but Moses expresses it "before the Lord"; which is more agreeable to their encampment and order in marching, for not the standard of Reuben but that of Judah went foremost, yet the standard of Reuben marched directly before the sanctuary bore by the Kohathites, ( Numbers 10:18 Numbers 10:21 ) , and so might be properly said to go before the Lord, who dwelt there.

Numbers 32:20 In-Context

18 We shall not turn again into our houses, till the sons of Israel wield their heritage; (We shall not return to our houses, until the Israelites possess their inheritance;)

19 and we shall not ask (for) anything over Jordan, for we have now our possession in the east coast thereof. (and we shall not ask for anything on the west side of the Jordan River, for now we have received our possession here on the east side of the river.)

20 To whom Moses said, If ye do that, that ye promise, be ye made ready, and go ye to (the) battle before the Lord;

21 and each fighting man be armed, and pass he [over] Jordan (and cross he over the Jordan River, and remain there), till the Lord destroy his enemies,

22 and all the land be made subject to him; then ye shall be made guiltless with God, and with Israel, and ye shall wield the countries, which ye will, before the Lord. (and all the land be made subject to him; then ye shall have fulfilled your obligation to God, and to Israel, and ye shall possess the land, which ye desire, in the sight of the Lord.)