Numbers Chapter 32
Reuben and Gad Settle in Gilead
1 Reuben and Gad had lots of livestock. When they saw that Jazer and Gilead had good grazing land, 2 they spoke to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the community,
3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon— 4 land Yahveh overthrew for Israel—is suitable for our livestock. 5 If we’re pleasing to you, give us this land instead of having us cross the Jordan.”
6 Moses said,
“Will your relatives go to war, and you sit here? 7 Why discourage Israel from going to the land Yahveh has given them? 8 That’s what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land. 9 When they went to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged Israel from going in. 10 Yahveh was angry that day and swore, 11 ‘No men that came up from Egypt 20 years and older will see the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they wouldn’t follow me. 12 Only Caleb the Kenizzite and Joshua Ben- Nun faithfully followed me.’ 13 Yahveh made Israel wander in the desert for 40 years till that generation died off. 14 You’re replacing your parents as sinful people to anger Yahveh toward Israel. 15 If you turn aside from him, he’ll leave you in the desert. You’ll be responsible for destroying this nation.”
Num 32:1-15
16 They came to him and said,
“We’ll build corrals here for our livestock and towns for our children, 17 but we’ll take up arms and go with Israel till we’ve brought them to their place. Our children will live in fortified towns because of the people still in the land. 18 We won’t go home till everyone has received their inheritance. 19 We won’t inherit with them on that side of the Jordan; our inheritance will lie here.”
Num 32:16-19
20 Moses said,
“If you take up arms 21 and cross the Jordan till Yahveh 22 has conquered the land, you’ll meet your obligations. 23 If you don’t, be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build your towns, put up corrals, and do what you’ve promised.”
2 5 “We will. 26 Our little ones, wives, flocks, and cattle will stay in towns in Gilead. 27 But we’ll cross over armed to fight like you’ve said.”
28 Moses charged Eleazar, Joshua, and the leaders of Israel,
29 “If Gad and Reuben cross the Jordan and help you conquer the land, give them Gilead. 30 If they don’t, they’ll have possessions among you in Canaan.” [ 31-32 ]
Num 32:20-32
33 Moses gave to Gad, Reuben, and the Manasseh half-tribe the kingdoms of Sihon and Og, and the towns and territory around them. 34 Gad rebuilt Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35 Atroth-Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36 Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran—fortified towns and corrals for sheep. 37 Reuben rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 Nebo, and Baal-meon (new names), and Sibmah. They renamed the towns they built. 39 The sons of Machir Ben-Manasseh went to Gilead and took it away from the Amorites. 40 Moses gave them Gilead and they lived there. 41 “Jair” Ben-Manasseh took its “towns” and called them Havvoth-jair. 42 Nobah took Kenath and its villages and renamed it after himself.
Num 32:33-42