Numbers 32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 32

In this chapter we have, I. The humble request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad for an inheritance on that side Jordan where Israel now lay encamped, Num. 32:1-5. II. Moses's misinterpretation of their request, Num. 32:6-15. III. Their explication of it, and stating it aright, Num. 32:16-19. IV. The grant of their petition under the provisos and limitations which they themselves proposed, Num. 32:20-42 read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 32:1-15

Israel's tents were now pitched in the plains of Moab, where they continued many months, looking back upon the conquests they had already made of the land of Sihon and Og, and looking forward to Canaan, which they hoped in a little while to make themselves masters of. While they made this stand, and were at a pause, this great affair of the disposal of the conquests they had already made was here concerted and settled, not by any particular order or appointment of God, but at the special... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 32:16-27

We have here the accommodating of the matter between Moses and the two tribes, about their settlement on this side Jordan. Probably the petitioners withdrew, and considered with themselves what answer they should return to the severe reproof Moses had given them; and, after some consultation, they return with this proposal, that their men of war should go and assist their brethren in the conquest of Canaan, and they would leave their families and flocks behind them in this land: and thus they... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 32:28-42

Here, 1. Moses settles this matter with Eleazar, and with Joshua who was to be his successor, knowing that he himself must not live to see it perfected, Num. 32:28-30. He gives them an estate upon condition, leaving it to Joshua, if they fulfilled the condition, to declare the estate absolute: ?If they will not go over with you,? he does not say ?you shall give them no inheritance at all,? but ?you shall not give them this inheritance which they covet. If their militia will not come over with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32

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, Numbers 32:1 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:1

Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle ,.... By which it seems that they had more in proportion than any of the other tribes; by what means it is not easy to say; very probably they were more addicted to the pastoral life, and took more delight in breeding cattle, and were more diligent in taking care of them: however, the reason for this observation presently follows: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead ; Jazer was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:2

The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses ,.... The children of Gad are mentioned first, though Reuben was the firstborn, and had a standard under which Gad pitched: it may be, as Aben Ezra thinks, the Gadites were the first authors of this counsel, the contrivers of this scheme; who first moved it to the Reubenites, which they had an opportunity of doing, lying encamped by them; or however, they might be the most busy and active in this affair, or the best... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:3

Ataroth, Dibon, and Jazer ,.... These were places which belonged to the Amorites, and were taken from Sihon, their king: of Ataroth we read nowhere else but in this chapter; of Dibon see Isaiah 15:2 , Jazer was a city, from whence the land about it had its name; it is the same with Jaazer, Numbers 21:32 and stood about fifteen miles from Heshbon F11 Jerom. de loc. Heb. fol. 92. G. , the capital city of the kingdom of Sihon: and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:4

Even the county which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel ,.... In which the above cities were, and perhaps some others not named: this was now in the hands of the people of Israel, being subdued by them, the conquest of which is ascribed unto the Lord, for the victory was of him; it was he that smote their enemies; and delivered their country into their hands; and now Moses, Eleazar, and the princes of the congregation, being the representatives of the people, had a right to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:5

Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight ,.... Directing their speech to Moses, the ruler of the congregation, in a very modest, decent, and respectable manner: let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession ; as their own portion and inheritance, to be enjoyed by them, and their children after them: and bring us not over Jordan ; into the land of Canaan, where as they after explain themselves, they did not desire to have any part with their brethren, but... read more

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