Numbers 32:20-42 NIV

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 32:20

And Moses said unto them ,.... Being better disposed towards them, and more satisfied with the reasonableness of their request, it being explained unto him: if ye will do this thing ; which they had promised: if ye will go armed before the Lord to war ; they had said they would go ready armed before the children of Israel, but Moses expresses it "before the Lord"; which is more agreeable to their encampment and order in marching, for not the standard of Reuben but that of Judah went... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:21

And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the Lord ,.... Moses tries them thoroughly, and is very express in his words, requiring them not only to go armed, or march from the place where they were, towards the land of Canaan, but to go over Jordan, and not some of them only, but all, and that before the Lord; though indeed, when the tribes came to the river Jordan, the ark, which was the symbol of the divine Presence, went before all the tribes into it, and there stayed till they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:22

And the land be subdued before the Lord ,.... For the inhabitants fleeing before his people, and being conquered by them, might be said to be subdued before the Lord, this being done in his presence, by his power, and for his people: then afterward ye shall return : to this side of Jordan, the land of Jazer and Gilead, to their cities, and families there: and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel : having fulfilled all that they promised: and this land shall be your... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:23

But if ye will not do so ,.... As they promised they would, and Moses insisted on it that they should: behold, ye have sinned against the Lord making such a request, and not fulfilling the conditions on which it was granted: and be sure your sin will find you out ; fly in their faces, accuse them in their consciences, charge and load them with guilt, and bring deserved punishment upon them: sin may be put, as it often is, for the punishment of sin, which sooner or later will find out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:24

Build ye cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep ,.... For their safety and security, as they proposed to do: and do that which proceedeth out of your mouth ; all that they had promised. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:25

And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying ,.... In answer to his speech: thy servants will do as my lord commandeth ; both with respect to their march before the Lord to battle, and with respect to their provision for their children and flocks. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:26

Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle ,.... Their families, and their substance: shall be there in the cities of Gilead ; such as are before mentioned, Numbers 32:3 and which they proposed to repair and fortify, to preserve their families and possessions from the Amorites about them. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:27

But thy servants will pass over ,.... The river Jordan, and go into the land of Canaan: every man armed for war ; Moses had required that all should go over, and they consent to it, and promise that everyone should, though this was not insisted on when they came to it, for only about 40,000 went over, Joshua 4:13 , whereas the two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, numbered more than 110,000; see Numbers 26:7 , before the Lord to battle, as my lord saith ;... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:27

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