Deuteronomy 3:19

19 Only your wives, children, and livestock (I know you have much livestock) may go ahead and settle down in the towns I have already given 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 The western boundary was the Jordan River in the Arabah all the way from the Kinnereth (the Sea of Galilee) to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea or Dead Sea) at the base of the slopes of Mount Pisgah on the east.

18 I commanded you at that time, "God, your God, has given you this land to possess. Your men, fit and armed for the fight, are to cross the river in advance of their brothers, the People of Israel.

19 Only your wives, children, and livestock (I know you have much livestock) may go ahead and settle down in the towns I have already given you

20 until God secures living space for your brothers as he has for you and they have taken possession of the country west of the Jordan that God, your God, is giving them. After that, each man may return to the land I've given you here."

21 I commanded Joshua at that time, "You've seen with your own two eyes everything God, your God, has done to these two kings. God is going to do the same thing to all the kingdoms over there across the river where you're headed.