Numeri 32:30-40

30 Ma se non passano armati con voi, avranno la loro proprietà tra voi nel paese di Canaan".

31 E i figliuoli di Gad e i figliuoli di Ruben risposero dicendo: "Faremo come l’Eterno ha detto ai tuoi servi.

32 Passeremo in armi, davanti all’Eterno, nel paese di Canaan; ma il possesso della nostra eredità resti per noi di qua dal Giordano".

33 Mosè dunque dette ai figliuoli di Gad, ai figliuoli di Ruben e alla metà della tribù di Manasse, figliuolo di Giuseppe, il regno di Sihon, re degli Amorei, e il regno di Og, re di Basan: il paese, le sue città e i territori delle città del paese all’intorno.

34 E i figliuoli di Gad edificarono Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Atroth-Shofan,

35 Iazer, Iogbehah,

36 Beth-Nimra e Beth-Haran, città fortificate, e fecero de’ recinti per i greggi.

37 E i figliuoli di Ruben edificarono Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, Nebo e Baal-Meon,

38 i cui nomi furon mutati, e Sibmah, e dettero dei nomi alle città che edificarono.

39 E i figliuoli di Makir, figliuolo di Manasse, andarono nel paese di Galaad, lo presero, e ne cacciarono gli Amorei che vi stavano.

40 Mosè dunque dette Galaad a Makir, figliuolo di Manasse, che vi si stabilì.

Numeri 32:30-40 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 32

This chapter relates, how that the tribes of Gad and Reuben requested a settlement in the country of Jazer and Gilead, being fit for the pasturage of their cattle, Nu 32:1-5 at which Moses at first was very much displeased, as being unreasonable, and tending to discourage the rest of the people; and as acting a part like that their fathers had done before them, which brought the wrath of God upon them, so that they all but two perished in the wilderness; and this he suggests would be the case again, if such measures were taken, Nu 32:6-15 upon which they explain themselves, and declare they had no intention of forsaking their brethren, but were willing to leave their children and cattle to the care of divine Providence, and go armed before Israel, until they were brought into, and settled in the land of Canaan; nor did they desire any part or inheritance in it, Nu 32:16-19, this satisfied Moses, and he agreed to it, that the land they requested should be their possession, provided the conditions were fulfilled by them, which they proposed, Nu 20:20-24, and which they again agreed unto, and promised to perform, Nu 32:25-27, wherefore Moses gave orders to Eleazar, Joshua, and the chief fathers of the tribes, to put them in possession of the land of Gilead on those conditions, Nu 32:28-30 and which were again promised that they would observe, Nu 32:31,32, and at the same time Moses made a grant of the kingdoms of Sihon and of Og to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, Nu 32:33 and the chapter is closed with an account of the cities built or repaired by the children of Gad and Reuben, Nu 32:34-38 and of the cities in Gilead taken and possessed by the children of Machir, and by Jair, who were of the tribe of Manasseh, Nu 32:39-42.