Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 32:34
And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
34 38. Many of these towns have been identified with some probability. But the list represents a tradition very different from that in Jos 13:15-28 (P ), and must be ultimately derived from an earlier source, though in its present form it was probably written by a priestly writer. In Jos 13:15-28 Reuben occupies the position which is ordinarily represented on modern maps, on the south of Gad, the dividing line between them running east from about the northern point of the Dead Sea. But in the present passage Reuben’s position is not so independent. Five of the six towns assigned to them in Num 32:37-38 are situated in a district about midway between the Jabbok and the Arnon, and lie between Gadite towns to the north and south of them. They are thus represented as occupying an enclave within the Gadite area. Sibmah is unknown, as also are Atroth-shophan and Beth-nimrah. See G. A. Smith, Hist. Geogr. p. 567.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The cities here named fall into three groups. On Dibon, compare Num 21:19. The Moabite stone was discovered here in 1868. This city, occupied on the first acquisition of the territory by the Gadites, and assigned by Joshua to the Reubenites, was eventually recaptured by the Moabites, in whose hands it remained. Ataroth, i. e., crowns (Attarus?) was seven miles northwest of Dibon. Aroer (Arair) lay between Dibon and the Arnon.
Atroth, Shophan – , was Atroth-Shophan, i. e., Atroth, or Ataroth of Shophan, or of the burrow; thus distinguished from the Ataroth named in the verse preceding from which it was probably not far distant. These four cities may be styled the Dibon settlement.
Num 32:35
Jaazer – (compare Num 32:1) with the neighboring Jogbehah (Jebeiha), seven miles to the northeast, formed the second group.
Num 32:36
The third Gadite settlement lay in the valley of the Jordan, to the west of the preceding. It comprised the cities of Bethnimrah (Nimrun) and Beth-haran (Beit-ha-ran).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 34. The children of Gad built – Aroer] This was situated on the river Arnon, De 2:36; 2Kg 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, 2Kg 15:29, after which the Moabites appear to have repossessed it, as they seem to have occupied it in the days of Jeremiah, Jer 48:15-20.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
i.e. Repaired and fortified, as that word is oft used, as 1Ki 12:25; 2Ki 14:22; 2Ch 8:1; 11:5; 26:2; Dan 4:30; for they neither had need nor leisure as yet to do more, the old cities not being burnt and ruined, as divers in Canaan were.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
34-36. And the children of Gadbuilt(See on Nu 32:16).
Dibonidentified withDheban, now in ruins, an hour’s distance from the Arnon (Mojeb).
Ataroth (Hebrew,“crowns”)There are several towns so called in Scripture,but this one in the tribe of Gad has not been identified.
Aroernow Arair,standing on a precipice on the north bank of the Arnon.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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
Nu 32:3. Aroer was a city situated on the river Arnon, and was after this in the hands of the Moabites: Jerom says q, it was showed in his day on the top of the mountain, upon the bank of the river Arnon, which flows into the Dead sea, Jer 48:19.
q De loc. Heb. fol. 87. I.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Gadites built, i.e., restored and fortified, the following places. Dibon, also called Dibon Gad, an hour’s journey to the north of the central Arnon. Ataroth, probably preserved in the extensive ruins of Attarus, on Jebel Attarus, between el Krriath (Kureyat) and Makur, i.e., Machaerus (see Seetzen, ii. p. 342). Aroer, not the Aroer before Rabbah, which was allotted to the Gadites (Jos 13:25), as v. Raumer supposes; but the Aroer of Reuben in the centre of the valley of the Arnon ( Jos 12:2; Jos 13:9, Jos 13:16), which is still to be seen in the ruins of Araayr, on the edge of the lofty rocky wall which bounds the Modjeb ( Burckhardt, p. 633). Atroth Shophan: only mentioned here; situation unknown. Jaezer: probably to be sought for in the ruins of es Szir, to the west of Ammn (see at Num 21:32). Jogbehah: only mentioned again in Jdg 8:11, and preserved in the ruins of Jebeiha, about two hours to the north-west of Ammn ( Burckhardt, p. 618; Robinson, App. p. 168). Beth-nimrah, contracted into Nimrah (Num 32:3), according to Jos 13:27, in the valley of the Jordan, and according to the Onomast. ( s. v. ) Beth-amnaram, five Roman miles to the north of Libias ( Bethharam), now to be seen in the ruins of Nimrein or Nemrin, where the Wady Shaib enters the Jordan ( Burckhardt, pp. 609, 661; Robinson, ii. p. 279), in a site abounding in water and pasturage ( Seetzen, ii. pp. 318, 716). Beth-Haran, or Beth-Haram (Jos 13:27): Beth-ramphtha, according to Josephus, Ant. 18:2, 1, which was called Julias, in honour of the wife of Augustus. According to the Onomast. it was called Beth-Ramtha by the Syrians ( , the form of the Aramaean stat. emphat.), and was named Livias by Herod Antipas, in honour of Livia, the wife of Augustus. It has been preserved in the ruins of Rameh, not far from the mouth of the Wady Hesbn ( Burckhardt, p. 661, and Robinson, ii. 305). The words in Num 32:36 are governed by in Num 32:34: “they built them as fortified cities and folds for flocks,” i.e., they fortified them, and built folds in them.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 34-42:
Gad “built” or refurbished a number of cities for temporary use by their families during the campaign in Canaan:
Dibon, about four miles north of Arnon, now known as Dhiban. Ataroth, seven miles from Dibon, known today as Attarus.
Aroer, by the river Arnon, De 2:36; Jos 13:16.
Atroth and Shopan, or Atroth-Shophan, site unknown. Jaazer, see verse I.
Jogbehah, north of Jaazer, Jg 8:11; possibly Jebeiha.
Gad occupied these cities only temporarily. In the territorial assignment of the Land, they were in Reuben’s allottment.
Reuben “built” or restored six cities for temporary use:
Heshbon, see Nu 21:25; 3.
Elealeh, see verse 3.
Kirjathaim, “double city,” about ten miles east of the Dead Sea, and south of Ataroth.
Nebo, see verse 3.
Baal-meon, also called Beon, verse 3; Beth-meon, Jer 43:23; Beth-Baal-meon, Jos 13:17.
Shibmah, site unknown; a city taken from the Moabites.
Reuben apparently gave different names to some of the cities taken, possibly to remove any stigma of idolatry.
“Children of Machir,” or “Beni-Machir.” All Manasseh was descended from Machir, as he was an only son. This text apparently refers to one branch of the family of Machir, who developed into a powerful tribe:
“Went to Gilead,” likely a reference to the expedition recorded in Nu 21:33. Its insertion here is out of chronological order. The reason is likely to identify the territory occupied by the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Gilead is used here in a general sense. The territory assigned to Manasseh was properly in Bashan.
Jair, a descendant of Machir, became a prominent figure in Israel’s history, De 3:14. According to the genealogy table in 1Ch 2:21, Jair was of the tribe of Manasseh through the female side. His father was Segub, son of Hezron of the tribe of Judah who married a daughter of Machir.
“Small towns” (verse 41), the villages of the Amorites who lived in Argob. He called these villages “Havoth-Jair,” or villages of Jair.” This was a group consisting of thirty villages, Jg 10:4; 1Ch 2:22, 23. Later, thirty more towns were added to this number, De 3:14; Jos 13:30; 1 Kings 4:13.
Nobah, a chieftian nowhere else named.
Kenath, the modern Kenawat, the most easterly territory occupied by Israel. Its name was changed to Nobah, in honor of the man who captured it, Jg 8:11.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
I. CITIES BUILT OR TAKEN IN THE LAND vv. 3442
TEXT
Num. 32:34. And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, 35. And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, 36. And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities; and folds for sheep. 37. And the children of Reuben built Hesbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, 38. And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded. 39. And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it. 40. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. 41. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havorth-jair. 42. And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 32:34. And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, 36. and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds for sheep. 37. And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim, 38. and Nebo and Baal-meon (their names were changed) and Sibmah, and they gave other names to the cities they built. 39. And the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were there in it. 40. So Moses gave Gilead to Machir, the son of Manasseh, and he lived in it. 41. And Jair, the son of Manasseh, went in and took their villages, and called them Hawoth-jair. 42. And Nobah went in and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
COMMENTARY
The text must not be made to mean that the named cities were first constructed by the Israelites; rather, they were rebuilt or restored, in order to provide the necessary security for the families who would remain there. All of the cities are located between the Arnon and the Jabbok rivers. The general territory was very unstable in later days, with much of the area fluctuating between the Gadites, Reubenites, Ammonites, and Moabites. The boundaries are often very difficult to ascertain.
The incident related in Num. 32:39 is followed by Manassehs settlement of Gilead. The descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh, were especially prominent in taking this territory, and apparently this was the reason Moses awarded them the land. Gilead here is used to apply to the land north of the Yarmukthe area more often known as Bashanindicating a broad use of the term.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
596.
In what sense are the Israelites said to have built the cities in Gilead?
597.
Using a good Bible encyclopedia, determine the widest and most narrow sense in which Gilead is used.
598.
How does this passage of the text help show the probable reason for awarding of a portion of the eastern territory to half of the tribe of Manasseh?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(34) And the children of Gad built Dibon . . . Better, repaired or fortified. Some of the cities mentioned in this and the following versesas, e.g., Dibon and Heshbonare mentioned also in Numbers 21 in connection with the conquest of the Amoritish territory. It is not probable that new cities would have been built at this time, nor did the circumstances of the Israelites admit of the delay which would have been involved in such an undertaking. It was at Dibon that the Moabite stone was discovered by Mr. Klein in 1868. For the geographical position and modern names of the towns mentioned in these verses, see Keil (in loc). In the distribution of the towns by Joshua, some of the southernmost towns repaired or fortified by the Gadites appear to have fallen to the tribe of Reuben. (See Jos. 13:16-17.) Heshbon, on the other hand, appears to have fallen to the lot of the tribe of Gad, and to have been assigned to the Levites (1Ch. 6:80-81).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
34. Built Restored and fortified.
Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer Jos 13:16-17, notes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 32:34. And the children of Gad built Dibon, &c. Though the original word signifies to build, yet there are many examples in which it signifies to rebuild; 1Ki 12:25. 2Ki 14:22 and in this sense it must be here understood, as well as in the 37th verse; for the towns spoken of were built before; but having been desolated by the war were now rebuilt and fortified. See Deu 2:34-35.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Dibon: Eusebius says that Dibon was a large town, near the river Arnon. Burckhardt says, that when he was about an hour’s distance north of the Modjeb or Arnon, he was shown to the ne the ruins of Diban, the ancient Dibon, situated in the low ground of the Koura, or plains of Moab. Num 32:3, Num 21:20, Num 33:45, Num 33:46
Aroer: Aroer was situated, according to Eusebius, on a mountain on the north bank of the river Arnon. This is confirmed by Burckhardt, who says it is called Araayr, and is seated on the edge of the precipice, at the foot of which the river flows. Deu 2:36, Isa 17:2
Reciprocal: Num 21:30 – Dibon Num 32:24 – General Jos 13:24 – General 1Ch 5:8 – Aroer 1Ch 5:11 – Gad Jer 48:19 – Aroer Jer 48:22 – Dibon
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 32:34. Built Repaired and fortified. For they neither had need nor leisure as yet to do more, the old cities not being burned and ruined, as divers in Canaan were.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 32:34-38. A List of Towns built (or rebuilt) by Gad and Reuben.The towns here assigned to Reuben form a group within the territory of Gad, for the most northerly and the most southerly of the places named are Gadite: contrast Jos 13:15-33. The rebuilding of the towns must be regarded as effected after the two tribes returned from the conquest of W. Canaan.
Num 32:34. Dibon: the modern Dhban.Ataroth: Attars, 9 miles NW. of Dibon.Aroer: probably the place of that name on the Arnon (Jos 13:16).
Num 32:35. Atroth Shaphan: unknown.Jogbehah: the modern Ajbeht.
Num 32:36. Beth-nimrah: the Nimrah of Num 32:3 and the modern Nimrin, 13 miles E. of the Jordan and 9 miles from the Dead Sea. Beth-haran: the modern Beit-harran.
Num 32:37. Heshbon: (Num 21:25*) modern Hesbn. Elealeh: modern El Al, 2 miles NE. of Heshbon. Kiriathaim: modern Kereiyah, some distance S. of Heshbon.
Num 32:38. Nebo: near Mt. Nebo, 5 miles SW. of Heshbon. Baal-meon: the Beon of Num 32:3, and the modern Main, 5 miles S. of Nebo. The parenthesis should be rendered, these names are to be changed, a direction to the reader to substitute some other names for the last two, which contain the hated appellations of heathen gods (Nebo and Baal). The repugnance to the name of Baal similarly led to the change of the personal names Eshbaal to Ishbosheth, and Meribbaal to Mephibosheth (1Sa 14:47-51*, 1Ki 16:32*). The writer of the parenthesis was seemingly not aware that the tribe of Gad itself bore the name of a heathen deity (Isa 65:11 mg.).Sibmah: the Sebam of 3: its site is unknown.