Numbers 32:33-38

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 32:33

And Moses gave unto them ,.... By word of mouth, in the presence of the court, or rather by some instrument drawn up and signed by him and the sanhedrim, or witnessed by them: even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph ; no mention is made of this half tribe joining with the other two tribes in the request to settle on this side Jordan, and therefore it is generally thought that they were encouraged, by the success... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:34

And the children of Gad built ,.... Or rather repaired the walls and fortifications, and rebuilt houses which had been demolished in the wars with Sihon and Og; when the following places were taken by the Israelites: Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer ; the two first are mentioned in Numbers 32:3 . Aroer was a city situated on the river Arnon, and was after this in the hands of the Moabites: Jerom says F17 De loc. Heb. fol. 87. I. , it was showed in his day on the top of the mountain,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:35

And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah. Of these no mention is made elsewhere, except Jaazer, which is the same with Jazer, Numbers 32:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:36

And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities ,.... The first of these is the same with Nimrah, Numbers 32:3 , and the other is the same with Betharam, Joshua 13:27 , it is called in the Jerusalem Talmud F18 Sheviith, fol. 38. 4. , Bethramtha, and so by the Syrians, Bethramphta; and to the same place Herod gave the name of Livias or Julias F19 Vid. Reland. Palestin. Illustrat. par. 2. p. 643. : these cities the children of Gad built or repaired for their families: and folds... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:37

And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim. Heshbon was the royal city of Sihon king of the Amorites, and Elealeh was within a mile of it, see Numbers 32:3 , this shows that those cities were not built anew properly, only repaired, for they were cities in being long before; besides, they had not time to build new cities, for in a few months after this they passed over Jordan; though indeed they left men enough behind to rebuild cities, whom they might set to work... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 32:38

And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) .... For Nebo was the name of an idol, after which perhaps the city was called: Baalmeon signifies "Baal's habitation", and where it is highly probable was a temple of his; and the children of Reuben, not liking to retain such idolatrous names, gave them others, but what they were it is not said; and certain it is, that when these places came into the hands of the Moabites, their ancient names were restored to them, as appears from Isaiah... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 32:34

The children of Gad built - Aroer - This was situated on the river Arnon, Deuteronomy 2:36 ; 2 Kings 10:33 . It was formerly inhabited by the Emim, a warlike and perhaps gigantic people. They were expelled by the Moabites; the Moabites by the Amorites; and the Amorites by the Israelites. The Gadites then possessed it till the captivity of their tribe, with that of Reuben and the half of the tribe of Manasseh, by the Assyrians, 2 Kings 15:29 , after which the Moabites appear to have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 32:38

And Nebo - their names being changed - That is, Those who conquered the cities called them after their own names. Thus the city Kenath, being conquered by Nobah, was called after his name, Numbers 32:42 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 32:33

Verse 33 33.And Moses gave unto them. We must understand that Moses gave it in such sort, as that, relying on God’s command, he laid down an inviolable law. For, although it is not expressly stated that God interposed His authority, still His subsequent approbation fully assures us of it. So also, although no mention is made of Eleazar and the elders, still it is certain that they were not passed over, but that they were united with him in the decision; especially since the case had been... read more

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