Numbers 32:16

16 Then they approached him and said, "We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our dependents.

Numbers 32:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:16

And they came near unto him
The heads of the tribes of Gad and Reuben came a little nearer to Moses, having something more to say unto him, in order to explain their meaning, and in doing which they used some degree of freedom and boldness with him, see ( Genesis 44:18 )

and said, we will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for
our little ones
not build new ones, but repair the old ones; for there were cities enough in the country, as before named, and no doubt sheepfolds too, as the land was a place of cattle, but those were through the war broken down and demolished, and needed repairing; and this they proposed to do, and leave their children and their cattle to the care of their servants, under the protection of the divine Providence, and did not mean for the present to take up their abode here.

Numbers 32:16 In-Context

14 And here you, a brood of sinners, stand in your fathers' place adding even more to the Lord's burning anger against Israel.

15 If you turn back from following Him, He will once again leave this people in the wilderness, and you will destroy all of them."

16 Then they approached him and said, "We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our dependents.

17 But we will arm ourselves and be ready [to go] ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our dependents will remain in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

18 We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has taken possession of his inheritance.