Numbers 32 :: New International Version (NIV)

The Transjordan Tribes

(Deu 3:12–22 )

Num 32:1The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.

Num 32:2

Num 32:2So they came to Moses and Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the community, and said,

Num 32:3

Num 32:3“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon—

Num 32:4

Num 32:4the land the LORD subdued before the people of Israel—are suitable for livestock, and your servants have livestock.

Num 32:5

Num 32:5If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.”

Num 32:6

Num 32:6Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here?

Num 32:7

Num 32:7Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the LORD has given them?

Num 32:8

Num 32:8This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land.

Num 32:9

Num 32:9After they went up to the Valley of Eshkol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the LORD had given them.

Num 32:10

Num 32:10The LORD’s anger was aroused that day and he swore this oath:

Num 32:11

Num 32:11‘Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of those who were twenty years old or more when they came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—

Num 32:12

Num 32:12not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.’

Num 32:13

Num 32:13The LORD’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.

Num 32:14

Num 32:14“And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the LORD even more angry with Israel.

Num 32:15

Num 32:15If you turn away from following him, he will again leave all this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.”

Num 32:16

Num 32:16Then they came up to him and said, “We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children.

Num 32:17

Num 32:17But we will arm ourselves for battle[fn] and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land.

Num 32:18

Num 32:18We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.

Num 32:19

Num 32:19We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”

Num 32:20

Num 32:20Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle

Num 32:21

Num 32:21and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the LORD until he has driven his enemies out before him—

Num 32:22

Num 32:22then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD.

Num 32:23

Num 32:23“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Num 32:24

Num 32:24Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks, but do what you have promised.”

Num 32:25

Num 32:25The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We your servants will do as our lord commands.

Num 32:26

Num 32:26Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will remain here in the cities of Gilead.

Num 32:27

Num 32:27But your servants, every man who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight before the LORD, just as our lord says.”

Num 32:28

Num 32:28Then Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun and to the family heads of the Israelite tribes.

Num 32:29

Num 32:29He said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites, every man armed for battle, cross over the Jordan with you before the LORD, then when the land is subdued before you, you must give them the land of Gilead as their possession.

Num 32:30

Num 32:30But if they do not cross over with you armed, they must accept their possession with you in Canaan.”

Num 32:31

Num 32:31The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “Your servants will do what the LORD has said.

Num 32:32

Num 32:32We will cross over before the LORD into Canaan armed, but the property we inherit will be on this side of the Jordan.”

Num 32:33

Num 32:33Then Moses gave to the Gadites, the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the whole land with its cities and the territory around them.

Num 32:34

Num 32:34The Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,

Num 32:35

Num 32:35Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,

Num 32:36

Num 32:36Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran as fortified cities, and built pens for their flocks.

Num 32:37

Num 32:37And the Reubenites rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh and Kiriathaim,

Num 32:38

Num 32:38as well as Nebo and Baal Meon (these names were changed) and Sibmah. They gave names to the cities they rebuilt.

Num 32:39

Num 32:39The descendants of Makir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it and drove out the Amorites who were there.

Num 32:40

Num 32:40So Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites, the descendants of Manasseh, and they settled there.

Num 32:41

Num 32:41Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, captured their settlements and called them Havvoth Jair.[fn]

Num 32:42

Num 32:42And Nobah captured Kenath and its surrounding settlements and called it Nobah after himself.

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NIV Footnotes

(32:17)

Septuagint; Hebrew will be quick to arm ourselves

(32:41)

Or them the settlements of Jair

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