Deuteronomy 3:19

19 Only your wives, children, and livestock - I know you have a lot of livestock - will remain behind in the towns that I have assigned to you.

Deuteronomy 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 3:19

But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle
These were to be left behind: for

I know that ye have much cattle;
which made the countries of Gilead and Bashan, so famous for pasturage, agreeable to them; see ( Numbers 32:1 ) these, under the care of servants, and also their wives and children,

shall abide in your cities which I have given you;
and which they rebuilt and repaired, ( Numbers 32:34-42 ) .

Deuteronomy 3:19 In-Context

17 On the west their territory extended to the Jordan River, from Lake Galilee in the north down to the Dead Sea in the south and to the foot of Mount Pisgah on the east.

18 "At the same time, I gave them the following instructions: "The Lord our God has given you this land east of the Jordan to occupy. Now arm your fighting men and send them across the Jordan ahead of the other tribes of Israel, to help them occupy their land.

19 Only your wives, children, and livestock - I know you have a lot of livestock - will remain behind in the towns that I have assigned to you.

20 Help the other Israelites until they occupy the land that the Lord is giving them west of the Jordan and until the Lord lets them live there in peace, as he has already done here for you. After that, you may return to this land that I have assigned to you.'

21 "Then I instructed Joshua: "You have seen all that the Lord your God did to those two kings, Sihon and Og; and he will do the same thing to everyone else whose land you invade.