Numbers 32:38 - Exposition

Baalomeon. Called Been in Numbers 32:3 , Beth-meon in Jeremiah 48:23 , Beth-Baal-meon in Joshua 13:17 . Their names being changed. מוּסבֹּת שֵׁם , "with change of name," dependent on the verb "built." The Septuagint has περικεκυκλωμένας (Symmachus, περιτετευχισμένας ), apparently reading שׁוּר for שֵׁם , but without authority. It is possible that the Been of Joshua 13:3 may be an instance of this attempt to change names, many of which were connected with idolatry. The attempt failed, hut both the attempt itself and its failure were very characteristic of the partial and feeble hold which Israel had on this territory. Gave other names to the cities which they builded. Literally, "they called by names the names of the towns;" a round-about expression correctly paraphrased by the A.V.