Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 32:16
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
Num 32:16-27
We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones.
But we ourselves will go ready armed.
The amended proposal of the Reubenites and Gadites
I. The amended proposal made.
1. That they should province at once for the safe settlement of their families and their flocks and herds.
2. That they would assist their brethren in the conquest of Canaan.
3. That they would not leave their brethren until that conquest was completely effected.
4. That they would not seek for any inheritance with their brethren on the other side of the Jordan.
II. The amended proposal accepted.
1. Moses re-affirms the chief terms of their proposal.
2. He accepts their proposal as righteous.
3. He warns them that if they fail to faithfully fulfil its terms punishment will overtake them.
III. The amended proposal confirmed. Lessons:
1. The duty of manifesting a practical regard for the rights and interests of others.
2. The importance of faithfully fulfilling the engagements into which we enter.
3. The delusiveness of the notion that any one can sin and escape the punishment of sin. (W. Jones.)
Conflict the condition of attainment, and suffering the consequence of sin
I. A truth to be confirmed–that those who would share in the inheritance must engage in the conflict.
II. A warning to be applied–that sin brings punishment; and that those who think to sin with impunity, under a dispensation of mercy, will find themselves fearfully disappointed.
III. A personal application to be made. (Samuel Thodey.)
Necessity for conflict in the open field
A skilful botanist, an exile in a foreign land, was thankful to accept the position of an under-gardener in the service of a man of wealth. While filling this humble office, his attention was attracted by a rare plant which had been sent to the owner of the garden, and which had been placed in the hot-house under the impression that it was a native of the tropics. So far from thriving, it had begun so evidently to wither and decay that the unskilful gardener was about to remove it to a still warmer place, when the observant eye of the botanist discovered it to be a production of the Arctic regions, and insisted that it should be exposed to the icy breath of winter. Forthwith it revived, and began to flourish. In like manner, if Christians will shut themselves up in the confined and heated atmosphere of worldliness and sin, they can neither hope for growth nor fruitfulness. Heroic conflict in the open field with the enemies of our salvation, the overcoming of temptation in the way of daily duty, constant communication with the Holy Spirit of God in the use of the appointed means of grace–these are the only safeguards for the soul. (Christian Age.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 16. We will build – cities for our little ones] It was impossible for these, numerous as they might be, to build cities and fortify them for the defence of their families in their absence. Calmet supposes they meant no more than repairing the cities of the Amorites which they had lately taken; which work might have been very easily accomplished in the time which they spent on this side of Jordan, before they went over with their brethren, to put them in possession of the land.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
16. they came nearThenarrative gives a picturesque description of this scene. Thesuppliants had shrunk back, dreading from the undisguised emotions oftheir leader that their request would be refused. But, perceiving,from the tenor of his discourse, that his objection was grounded onlyon the supposition that they would not cross the Jordan to assisttheir brethren, they became emboldened to approach him withassurances of their goodwill.
We will build sheepfolds herefor our cattle, and cities for our little onesthat is,rebuild, repair. It would have been impossible within two months tofound new cities, or even to reconstruct those which had been razedto the ground. Those cities of the Amorites were not absolutelydemolished, and they probably consisted only of mud-built, ordry-stone walls.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they came near unto him,…. The heads of the tribes of Gad and Reuben came a little nearer to Moses, having something more to say unto him, in order to explain their meaning, and in doing which they used some degree of freedom and boldness with him, see Ge 44:18
and said, we will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones not build new ones, but repair the old ones; for there were cities enough in the country, as before named, and no doubt sheepfolds too, as the land was a place of cattle, but those were through the war broken down and demolished, and needed repairing; and this they proposed to do, and leave their children and their cattle to the care of their servants, under the protection of the divine Providence, and did not mean for the present to take up their abode here.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The persons thus reproved came near to Moses, and replied, “ We will build sheep-folds here for our flocks, and towns for our children; but we will equip ourselves hastily ( , part. pass. hasting) before the children of Israel, till we bring them to their place ” (i.e., to Canaan). , folds or pens for flocks, that were built of stones piled up one upon another (1Sa 24:4).
(Note: According to Wetstein ( Reiseber. p. 29), it is a regular custom with the nomads in Leja, to surround every place, where they pitch their tents, with a Sira, i.e., with an enclosure of stones about the height of a man, that the flocks may not be scattered in the night, and that they may know at once, from the noise made by the falling of the smaller stones which are laid at the top, if a wolf attempts to enter the enclosure during the night.)
By the building of towns, we are to understand the rebuilding and fortification of them. , the children, including the women, and such other defenceless members of the family as were in need of protection (see at Exo 12:37). When their families were secured in fortified towns against the inhabitants of the land, the men who could bear arms would not return to their houses till the children of Israel, i.e., the rest of the tribes, had all received their inheritance: for they did not wish for an inheritance on the other side of Jordan and farther on, if ( ) their inheritance was assigned them on this side Jordan towards the east. The application of the expression to the land on the east of the Jordan, as well as to that on the west, points to a time when the Israelites had not yet obtained a firm footing in Canaan. At that time the land to the west of the river could very naturally be spoken of as “ beyond the Jordan,” from the subjective stand-point of the historian, who was then on the east of the river; whereas, according to the objective and geographical usage, the land “beyond Jordan” signifies the country to the east of the river. But in order to prevent misunderstanding, in this particular instance the expression is defined more precisely as , “ towards the east,” when it is intended to apply to the land on the east of the Jordan.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: 17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. 20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, 21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, 22 And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth. 25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead: 27 But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.
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 might have their request, and no harm would be done. Now it is uncertain whether they designed this at first when they brought their petition or no. If they did, it is an instance how often that which is honestly meant is unhappily misinterpreted; yet Moses herein was excusable, for he had reason to suspect the worst of them, and the rebuke he gave them was from the abundance of his care to prevent sin. But, if they did not, it is an instance of the good effect of plain dealing; Moses, by showing them their sin, and the danger of it, brought them to their duty without murmuring or disputing. They object not that their brethren were able to contend with the Canaanites without their help, especially since they were sure of God’s fighting for them; but engage themselves to stand by them.
I. Their proposal is very fair and generous, and such as, instead of disheartening, would rather encourage their brethren. 1. That their men of war, who were fit for service, would go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of Canaan. So far would they be from deserting them that, if it were thought fit, they would lead them on, and be foremost is all dangerous enterprises. So far were they from either distrusting or despising the conquest of Canaan that they would assist in it with the utmost readiness and resolution. 2. That they would leave behind them their families and cattle (which would otherwise be but the incumbrance of their camp), and so they would be the more serviceable to their brethren, v. 16. 3. That they would not return to their possessions till the conquest of Canaan was completed, v. 18. Their brethren should have their best help as long as they needed it. 4. That yet they would not expect any share of the land that was yet to be conquered (v. 19): “We will not desire to inherit with them, nor, under colour of assisting them in the war, put in for a share with them in the land; no, we will be content with our inheritance on this side Jordan, and there will be so much the more on yonder side for them.”
II. Moses thereupon grants their request, upon consideration that they would adhere to their proposals. 1. He insists much upon it that they should never lay down their arms till their brethren laid down theirs. They promised to go armed before the children of Israel, v. 17. “Nay,” says Moses, “you shall go armed before the Lord,Num 32:20; Num 32:21. It is God’s cause more than your brethren’s, and to him you must have an eye, and not to them only.” Before the Lord, that is, before the ark of the Lord, the token of his presence, which, it should seem, they carried about with them in the wars of Canaan, and immediately before which these two tribes were posted, as we find in the order of their march, Num 2:10; Num 2:17. 2. Upon this condition he grants them this land for their possession, and tells them they shall be guiltless before the Lord and before Israel, v. 22. They should have the land, and neither sin nor blame should cleave to it, neither sin before God nor blame before Israel; and, whatever possessions we have, it is desirable thus to come guiltless to them. But, 3. He warns them of the danger of breaking their word: “If you fail, you sin against the Lord (v. 23), and not against your brethren only, and be sure your sin will find you out;” that is, “God will certainly reckon with you for it, though you may make a light matter of it.” Note, Sin will, without doubt, find out the sinner sooner or later. It concerns us therefore to find our sins out, that we may repent of them and forsake them, lest our sins find us out to our ruin and confusion.
III. They unanimously agree to the provisos and conditions of the grant, and do, as it were, give bond for performance, by a solemn promise: Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth, v. 25. Their brethren had all contributed their assistance to the conquest of this country, which they desired for a possession, and therefore they owned themselves obliged in justice to help them in the conquest of that which was to be their possession. Having received kindness, we ought to return it, though it was not so conditioned when we received it. We may suppose that this promise was understood, on both sides, so as not to oblige all that were numbered of these tribes to go over armed, but those only that were fittest for the expedition, who would be most serviceable, while it was necessary that some should be left to till the ground and guard the country; and accordingly we find that about 40,000 of the two tribes and a half went over armed (Josh. iv. 13), whereas their whole number was about 100,000.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 16-19:
Scripture does not reveal the reason for the promise of Reuben and Gad. They may have intended from the outset to accompany their brethren into Canaan. Or, Moses’ impassioned speech may have convicted them and caused them to promise to aid their brethren.
The two tribes promised they would only erect temporary sheepfolds, and rebuild the cities which had been destroyed so their families could live in safety during the military campaign in Canaan. They agreed that they would not return to their homes to dwell in peace, nor would they divide the land for their inheritance, until all twelve tribes had secured their territory, putting God first, Mt 6:33.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
16. And they came near tinto him, and said. It is probable that they returned after having held a consultation: and now, — when they had considered what they ought to do, before promising what they had not previously thought of, — they assent to the decision of Moses, in accordance with their general opinion. From their reply itself we gather how usefully the severity of Moses had influenced their minds. If he had dealt with them with greater mildness and gentleness, his kindness would perhaps have been received with contempt. It was more profitable, therefore, that their stubborn hearts should be smitten with shame and fear, in order that they might lay aside their rebelliousness. Still, they do not altogether abandon their request, but devise a middle course, whereby, whilst they do not forsake their brethren, they may still occupy the land. They promise, then, to accompany them throughout the whole expedition, and to unite with them in the war; nay, to be the first to undergo danger, and expose themselves to the attacks of the enemy, provided a settled abode should be granted them for their families and their herds. Thus they would be exempt from guilt, since the rest would not be held back by their bad example, nor the strength of the people for carrying on the war be diminished; in one respect only they would have the advantage, that, by depositing their wives and children in a peaceful spot, they would have the opportunity of improving their domestic finances.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
G. THE TRIBES PLEDGE vv. 1619
TEXT
Num. 32:16. And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: 17. But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities, because of the inhabitants of the land. 18. We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance: 19. For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 32:16. Then they came near him and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, 17. but we ourselves will go armed and ready before the children of Israel until we have brought them unto their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18. We will not return to our houses until the each of the Children of Israel had taken his inheritance. 19. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.
COMMENTARY
The answer given Moses by Gad and Reuben made it apparent that their intentions in settling east of the Jordan are not those he had feared. They were more than willing to assist their brothers to whatever degree it was necessary in clearing out the western lands; they desired only to be allowed this productive portion for themselves, and that they first be allowed to make shelters for their animals and cities, or camps, for their families. These camps would have been fortified villages in which the women, children and the aged could enjoy a degree of protection.
To make their willingness completely clear, the two tribes offer not only to go with the other ten, but to arm themselves and precede the others until the conquest is complete. Only then will they return to their homes and families. We encounter some difficulty in understanding just what the two spokesmen meant in affirming our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of Jordan eastward, Num. 32:19. The allotment has not yet been made, (see Num. 33:16 ff.), and we have been given no decree from any source that any of the tribes would be permitted to settle here. The statement is best understood to designate the tribal preference, rather than an official allocation, as if to say, With your permission and the Lords, we should like this area to be considered our allotment. Apparently none of the other tribes had any objections, to say nothing of any resentment, of the plan and request, which must have been an important factor in resolving the question.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
589.
Show how the Gadites and Reubenites demonstrated their desire to maintain their strong ties with the other tribes.
590.
What conditions did they lay down as preliminary to moving forward to clear out the land?
591.
Looking ahead, how long was it to be before these men would return to their families, and who gave them permission to do so?
592.
Explain how the territory they sought could be called their inheritance.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(16) We will build sheepfolds . . . The sheepfolds were commonly constructed of loose stones piled up on one another.
And cities for our little ones.The word which is rendered build often means to build up or repair, and it probably has that meaning in this place, as applied to the cities. (See Num. 32:26.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE MODIFIED PETITION OF REUBEN AND GAD, Num 32:16-32.
16. They came near Evidently after retiring from the first audience with Moses and consulting with the people of their tribes.
Sheepfolds It is the custom of the nomads of this region to surround their tents with stone walls about the height of a man, that the flocks may not be scattered in the night, and that the falling of the cobblestones laid on the top, knocked off by the wolf climbing up the wall, might give an alarm.
Cities Captured cities were to be repaired. In Argob, a district east of the Sea of Galilee, Jair took sixty cities.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reuben and Gad Covenant That Their Warriors Will Go Forward With Israel ( Num 32:16-19 ).
Num 32:16-17
‘And they came near to him, and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones, but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.”
But the Reubenites and Gadites assured him that they were not trying to avoid entering the land which God had given them. They pointed out that they would establish their families where they were, erecting sheepfolds for their animals, and repairing the fortified cities for them to find protection in, because of the belligerence of the inhabitants of nearby lands, and then they would go forward with the children of Israel, ready armed for battle, until they had brought them into the place that God had for them.
Num 32:18
“ We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.”
Indeed they promised that they would not return to their houses until every man of the children of Israel had inherited his inheritance.
Num 32:19
“ For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward, because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.”
But they themselves would not inherit in Canaan because they believed that God was showing them that their inheritance lay on this side of the Jordan.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
I include the whole of these verses in one view, because they include the terms of agreement between Moses and the Reubenites and Gadites. The representation, which is here given of them, serves to raise the people somewhat higher in our view; but certainly their choice of setting up their rest on this side Jordan, had in it much of a worldly, carnal spirit. Reader! never forget what the HOLY GHOST hath said, by the mouth of the Prophet: Arise ye and depart for this is not your rest, because it is polluted. Mic 2:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 32:16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
Ver. 16. We will build sheep folds. ] This was their intent at first, though Moses mistook them. There may be gross mistakes, and thereupon grievous unkindnesses, betwixt dearest friends. Cyril, and John, bishop of Antioch, objected heresy one to another, and proceeded as far as excommunication; postea comperti idem sentire: so did Cyril and Theodoret.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
This proposal was very equitable, and it was honestly made and faithfully executed; though it did not imply that all men capable of bearing arms should go, and so leave their families and possessions defenceless, but only a sufficient detachment of them. Among the inhabitants of the land were the Ammonites, Moabites, Idumeans, and the remains of the Midianites and Amorites; and as it was impossible for the women and children to keep the defenced cities, when placed in them, many of the men of war must of course stay behind. In the last census – Num 26:1, the tribe of Reuben consisted of 43,730 men; the tribe of Gad 40,500; and the tribe of Manasseh 52,700; the half of which is 26,350; which together amount to 110,580. Now from Jos 4:13, we learn, that of these tribes only 40,000 armed men passed over Jordan to assist their brethren: consequently 70,580 men were left behind for the defence of the women, the children, and the flocks: which was amply sufficient for this purpose. Num 34:22, Gen 33:17
Reciprocal: Num 32:24 – General Deu 33:21 – the first part