Numbers 32:8

8 This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land.

Numbers 32:8 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:8

Thus did your fathers
Meaning not particularly and only the fathers of these two tribes he was speaking to, but of them and the other tribes also, who acted much such a part; did not choose to go into the good land to possess it, when they were bid to do it, but were for sending spies first, which brought an ill report of it, and discouraged the people from going into it; the history of which Moses here gives:

when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land;
called only Kadesh, ( Numbers 13:26 ) the reason of the name (See Gill on Numbers 32:13).

Numbers 32:8 In-Context

6 Moshe answered the descendants of Gad and of Re'uven: "Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?
7 Besides, why are you trying to discourage the people of Isra'el from crossing into the land ADONAI gave them?
8 This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land.
9 For when they went up to the Eshkol Valley and saw the land, they disheartened the people of Isra'el, so that they wouldn't enter the land ADONAI had given them.
10 ADONAI's anger blazed up on that day; and he swore,
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.