Chapter 32

1 The Reubenites and Gadites sue for their inheritance on that side Jordan. 6 Moses reproveth them. 16 They offer him conditions to his content. 33 Moses assigneth them the land. 39 They conquer it.

1. Children of Reuben. The Reubenites and the Gadites were encamped on the south side of the tabernacle, probably not as neighbors, but with the tribe of Simeon between them (ch. 2:10–14). Reuben was Jacob’s first-born, and is, therefore, mentioned first, according to tribal seniority. In the following verses Gad is mentioned first, since that tribe took the initiative in the matter of settling on the east side of the Jordan. The fact of their having lived close together for 38 years tended to influence them to stay together in their permanent location.

Great multitude of cattle. That is, in comparison with the rest of the Israelites. How they came to be so rich in cattle is not stated (see Judges 5:16, 17).

The land of Jazer. This name appears elsewhere as that of a town. It is thought to have been north or northwest of Rabbath Ammon.

The land of Gilead. The name of a district mentioned first in Gen. 37:25, lying north and south of the brook Jabbok. It was noted for its fertile soil. The name Gilead is sometimes used to denote all the territory occupied by Israel east of the Jordan.

A place for cattle. Included in this territory was Bashan, noted for its fine cattle (see Ps. 22:12).

2. Gad. Gad takes the initiative in proposing their idea. No mention is made of Manasseh, who also had much cattle and shared in the country east of Jordan with Gad and Reuben (see Deut. 3:12, 13; 4:43; 29:8; Joshua 12:6; 13:29, 31; 14:3; 18:7).

3. Ataroth. Assigned to Gad (v. 34).

Dibon. In the kingdom of Sihon (ch. 21:30), and also given to Gad (v. 34).

Jazer. See v. 1. Another place belonging to Gad (v. 34).

Nimrah. Called Beth-nimrah in v. 36, meaning, perhaps, “the place of the leopard.”

Heshbon. The capital of Sihon, king of the Amorites (ch. 21:26–28), and allotted to the Reubenites (v. 37).

Elealeh. Mentioned as adjacent to Heshbon (Num. 32:37; Isa. 15:4; 16:9; Jer. 48:34). Probably the modern elРФAl, just northeast of Heshbon.

Shebam. Also given as Shibmah (v. 38) and Sibmah (Isa. 16:8, 9; Jer. 48:32). It was famous for its vineyards.

Nebo. Allotted to the Reubenites (v. 38).

Beon. In v. 38 we find Baal-meon, which was changed to Beon by the Israelites in order to eliminate the name of Baal. Later, when it fell into the hands of the Moabites, they restored the full name, given as Beth-meon (Jer. 48:23). It is called Beth-baal-meon in Joshua 13:17. It was probably assigned to the Reubenites. Its ruins are known as MaФin today, about 5 mi. south of Mt. Nebo.

4. The Lord smote. That is, with the intention of giving it to His people for an inheritance (ch. 21:24, 25).

6. Shall ye sit here? In view of the comparative ease with which the country east of the Jordan had been conquered, Gad and Reuben no doubt thought the country west of Jordan would be rapidly occupied.

7. Discourage. Literally, “oppose,” “alienate.” Moses feared that the action of the two tribes would lead the other tribes to refuse to cross the Jordan. The effect would then be much like that of the faithless report of the spies that resulted in a whole generation perishing in the wilderness.

8. Your fathers. Not merely the ancestors of the two tribes, but of the whole nation.

Kadesh-barnea. See ch. 13:3, 26.

9. The valley of Eshcol. See ch. 13:21–23. The spies turned the hearts of Israel from entering the Land of Promise, depicting the enemy as altogether too strong for them to cope with (ch. 13:31).

10. The Lord’s anger. See ch. 14:21, 28.

11. None of the men. See ch. 14:22, 23, 29, 35.

12. The Kenezite. See ch. 14:24. The same name is given in Joshua 14:6, 14. It is derived from Kenaz (see Gen. 36:15, 42; 1 Chron. 1:36, 53). It is possible that Kenaz was a common ancestor of Othniel and Caleb, from whom Othniel’s father took the name. Jephunneh is called a Kenezite (Joshua 14:14).

Wholly. That is, “altogether” (see ch. 14:24, 30, 38).

14. An increase of sinful men. Better, “a brood of sinful men.” The Hebrew word here translated “increase” is not found elsewhere in the OT. Moses was greatly disturbed by this appeal.

15. If ye turn away. As their fathers had done, and perished in the wilderness.

Destroy all this people. The people might then refuse to go over Jordan and consolidate their claim on Canaan. After their release from military service by Joshua, with his blessing, these same tribes precipitated an incident that led their brethren to fear, though without warrant, a visitation of God’s wrath (see Joshua 22:1–29).

16. Sheepfolds. Constructed of dry stone courses, field stones gathered together, and with no roof.

Cities. Probably repaired Amorite dwellings already on the ground. A weakness of this plan was that their women and children and their cattle and sheep could scarcely be left in newly conquered, hostile territory without a strong, well-armed force to protect them.

17. Ready armed. Literally, “equipped for war, hastening.” This was a promise not to delay in any way the crossing of the Jordan, but to act as a forward unit or advance guard before the main host (see Deut. 3:18; Joshua 4:12).

The inhabitants. The Amorites and Moabites, who previously occupied the territory (ch. 21:26).

18. Until. A promise to stay by their duty to the nation until the conquest of Canaan was completed. According to Deut. 33:21 Gad had secured his first part, that is, the territory of Sihon and Og, and executed the command of the Lord—they kept their promise to help their brethren occupy Canaan.

19. We will not inherit. They disavow any desire to claim inheritance west of Jordan.

This side Jordan. The same Hebrew word is translated “yonder side” and also “this side.” It is from the verb “to pass over,” “to go through.” The derived noun means “the region beyond,” and in the plural masculine form is applied to the Hebrews.

20. Before the Lord. Jehovah is looked upon as a God of battles, going before the marching nation to confound their enemies (see Num. 21:14; Joshua 4:5, 11–13; 6:8, 9; Judges 5:23).

22. Guiltless. The word thus translated is from the verb “to be clean,” “to be exempt from punishment.” The second meaning is preferable here.

Your possession before the Lord. That is, with the full approval of the Lord.

23. Your sin will find you out. Literally, “and know ye your sin which will find you.” God expressed the same idea in addressing Cain: “Sin lieth at the door” (Gen. 4:7).

25. As my lord commandeth. A typically Eastern touch, as that which Moses stated was precisely what they themselves had suggested (v. 17).

26. Cities of Gilead. Such fortified places as were formerly occupied by the enemy.

27. Every man armed. For garrison duty east of Jordan and an expeditionary force to accompany the main body of the Israelites over the Jordan.

28. Commanded Eleazar. Moses knew he would not cross the Jordan, and therefore placed upon Eleazar and Joshua the responsibility to see that Reuben and Gad carried out their promises (see Joshua 1:13, 14; 22:1–6).

29. The land of Gilead. The whole of Gilead was scarcely in their possession at this point. They were fortifying a number of cities, not only as safe refuges for their families, but also as strong points from which to complete subjection of the land.

30. Pass over. Their promise as recorded in v. 17 must be honorably carried out; otherwise they would be compelled to live on the west side of the Jordan.

31. So will we do. They reiterate and confirm their promise to Moses (v. 25), invoking the name of Jehovah as evidence of their good faith.

32. This side Jordan. Confirming their former promises in the presence of Eleazar and Joshua, they speak of the east side of Jordan as “this side,” for they were in the land of Gilead.

33. Half the tribe of Manasseh. These people were known as warriors (Joshua 17:1); and inasmuch as there was room, they too were granted a possession in Gilead. It is evident from v. 39 that the half tribe of Manasseh had cooperated in the conquest of Gilead, and perhaps unaided had subdued certain portions.

Sihon. The territories of Sihon and Og were the first to be taken over by the Israelites, and the people taken subjected (see Num. 21:24, 29; 2 Kings 15:29).

34. Gad built. The list of cities named in vs. 34–38 corresponds closely with that of v. 3. An additional and more complete list is found in Joshua 13:24–28.

Dibon. The place where the Moabite stone was found in 1868. This city constantly changed hands. Here it is allotted to Gad. In Joshua 13:17 it is listed for Reuben (see also Num. 21:30; Isa. 15:2; Jer. 48:18, 22).

The building of these cities must have been more of the nature of repairing the ravages of war. The inhabitants were destroyed, but not the cities (Deut. 2:34, 35). Compare this with the experience of Jeroboam, who is recorded as having “built” Shechem, when actually he rebuilt it (1 Kings 12:25). Similarly, Azariah “built” Elath upon restoring it to Judah (2 Kings 14:22).

Ataroth. The modern Attarus, about 7 mi. to the north of Dibon, the modern Dhiban.

Aroer. An Amorite city conquered by Sihon (Deut. 2:36; 3:12; 4:48). The modern name of this city is ХAraµФir, which is situated near the river Arnon, 3 mi. south of the modern Dhiban. The same name is found in Joshua 13:25; Judges 11:33; 1 Sam. 30:28.

35. Atroth, Shophan. Not yet identified. Perhaps a single city, Atroth-Shophan.

Jaazer. Meaning “helpful.” Equivalent to the Jazer of v. 3.

Jogbehah. Now JubeihaЖt, some 6 mi. northwest of Rabbath Ammon.

36. Beth-nimrah. Perhaps the modern Tell elРBleibil, 6 mi. east of the Jordan and some 8 mi. north of the Dead Sea.

Beth-haran. Said by some to be the modern Tell IktanuЖ, some 7 mi. northeast of the mouth of the Jordan River.

Fenced cities. For the protection of the women and children to be left behind with their garrisons.

Folds for sheep. These would be built within the protection of the outer fortifications. This was excellent country for grazing, as the Moabites were fully aware (2 Kings 3:4).

37. Reuben built. Again the idea is that of repairing and making habitable and secure, cities that had been damaged in war.

Heshbon. Another city that had manychanges of fortune. In ch. 21:25 it is in the possession of the Amorites. In Joshua 13:17, as here, Reuben has control of it. In Joshua 21:39 Gad is the possessor. Moab again possesses it according to Isa. 15:4; 16:9; Jer. 48:2. Eventually it comes under the power of the children of Ammon (Jer. 49:1–3).

Kirjathaim. Recorded as the city of a giant people called Emims (Gen. 14:5). Probably elРQereiyaЖt, between Dhiban and the Dead Sea.

38. Nebo. Probably related to the Hebrew words “to prophesy” and “prophet.”

Probably Khirbet elРMekhaiyet, about 5 mi. southwest of Heshbon and near Mt. Nebo, where Moses died (see Deut. 32:49), east of the north end of the Dead Sea.

Names being changed. Literally, “changed of name.” The names of Nebo and Baal-meon were changed because they stood for the gods whose worship was centered there. The ancient names, however, persisted (Joshua 13:17; Eze. 25:9).

Shibmah. See on v. 3.

Builded. Again, in the sense of repairing or rebuilding (see 1 Kings 9:17; 2 Chron. 11:6).

39. Gilead. Perhaps the reference here is to the northern part only, and not in the more general sense as in vs. 1, 26, 29.

41. Jair. Jair was the son of Segub, the son of Hezron, who had married the daughter of Machir (1 Chron. 2:21, 22), a son of Manasseh.

Havoth-jair. Literally, “the towns of Jair,” as in Joshua 13:30. These, or possibly other, groups of unwalled villages are mentioned in Judges 10:4; 1 Kings 4:13; 1 Chron. 2:22, 23.

42. Nobah. Compare Judges 8:11. Evidently a prominent prince.

Kenath. Identified with QanawaЖt, some 60 mi. due east of the Sea of Galilee (see 1 Chron. 2:23).

Called it Nobah. It is probable that 60 towns were taken. Jair, as the leader of the expedition, kept 23 for himself and divided the remainder among those who took part with him in the campaign. Nobah was one of these.

Ellen G. White comments

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