Numbers 32 24

Numbers 32:24 kjv

Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.

Numbers 32:24 nkjv

Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what has proceeded out of your mouth."

Numbers 32:24 niv

Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks, but do what you have promised."

Numbers 32:24 esv

Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised."

Numbers 32:24 nlt

Go ahead and build towns for your families and pens for your flocks, but do everything you have promised."

Numbers 32 verses

Numbers 32 24 Meaning

Numbers 32:24 encapsulates Moses' final command and condition to the tribes of Reuben and Gad concerning their request to settle east of the Jordan. It outlines their dual responsibility: first, to establish secure dwelling places for their families and livestock in the requested territory, and second, to honor their solemn promise to accompany and assist the other Israelite tribes in the conquest of Canaan across the Jordan River. The verse highlights the vital importance of personal responsibility and the fulfillment of one's word within the covenant community.

Numbers 32 24 Context

Numbers chapter 32 details the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and subsequently the half-tribe of Manasseh, though not named in this verse) to settle in the fertile land east of the Jordan River. Moses initially reacts with anger, recalling the wilderness generation's lack of faith at Kadesh-Barnea. He fears their request signals a similar reluctance to fully commit to the divine mission, potentially discouraging the other tribes. Reuben and Gad then present a counter-proposal, pledging that they would first build settlements for their families and flocks, and then send all their armed men to fight alongside their brethren for the conquest of Canaan, returning only after the land was subdued. Verse 24 is Moses' firm, two-part instruction delivered as part of his conditional acceptance of their terms, following the explicit warning in verse 23 that failure to fulfill their vow would be sin against the Lord. The historical context is critical: the Israelites are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land after forty years of wandering, and unity and commitment are paramount for the arduous task ahead.

Numbers 32 24 Word analysis

• Build (בְּנוּ - b'nu): An imperative verb, "build ye." This is a direct command, emphasizing an immediate, practical action. It indicates a permanent establishment, not temporary camps.
• yourselves (לָכֶם - lakem): Reflexive, indicating for their own benefit and security. This highlights their self-interest and primary concern for their dependents and property.
• cities (עָרִים - `arim): Plural of `ir, referring to fortified towns or settlements. The emphasis is on strong, secure places of refuge, vital for protecting vulnerable families in a land potentially subject to raids.
• for your little ones (לְטַפְּכֶם - l'ṭappekem): Refers specifically to children and, by extension, the entire dependent household—women, elderly, and those not going to war. Protecting these vulnerable groups was a major societal responsibility.
• and folds (וּגְדֵרֹת - uḡdērōt): Plural of gaderah, meaning enclosures, sheepfolds, or stone walls. These were structures to protect valuable livestock from wild animals and thieves, crucial for a pastoral society.
• for your sheep (לְצֹאנְכֶם - l'tzonkem): Refers to their flocks, primarily sheep and goats, which constituted their wealth and livelihood. The term often implies their entire livestock.
• and do (וַעֲשׂוּ - va'asu): Another imperative verb, "do ye" or "make ye." This command shifts from physical construction to the fulfillment of an abstract promise, stressing active compliance.
• what you have promised/spoken (אֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִפִּיכֶם - asher yatza mipikem): Literally "that which went out from your mouth." This phrase stresses the gravity of their spoken word and verbal pledge. In ancient Israelite culture, a verbal agreement, especially before a leader like Moses (who represented God), was as binding as a written contract. It underlines the concept of integrity and the sacredness of a vow.

Words-group analysis

• "Build yourselves cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep": This initial part of the command addresses the immediate, practical concern for the tribes' self-preservation and establishment. Moses is granting them permission to secure their future east of the Jordan, validating their request for safe haven for their families and assets. It emphasizes the foundational responsibility of providing and protecting dependents and livelihood.
• "and do what you have promised": This second, pivotal part of the verse shifts focus entirely from self-interest to covenantal obligation and communal responsibility. It is a direct and weighty reminder of their pledge to participate in the conquest of Canaan. The phrase "what has gone out from your mouth" elevates their promise from a mere agreement to a solemn oath, implying an accountability to God Himself, given that oaths and vows were made before the Lord. It signifies that actions must follow words, and a spoken commitment holds profound weight. This establishes a clear link between granted privilege and required responsibility.

Numbers 32 24 Bonus section

The order of Moses' commands in verse 24—"Build... then do"—is significant. While Reuben and Gad proposed their fighting service first and then returning (Num 32:17), Moses places the establishment of their settlements first in his command. This could imply Moses' strategic insight that a secure base would be vital for their long-term stability and willingness to leave their families protected for battle. It underscores the practical wisdom necessary in leadership, balancing immediate needs with broader, future obligations. This verse also foreshadows the eventual fulfillment in the book of Joshua, where the Reubenites and Gadites indeed cross the Jordan and fight alongside their brethren for years, demonstrating their integrity and keeping "what had gone out from their mouth." The strictness regarding their pledge is a preventative measure against a recurrence of the wilderness generation's failures and an emphasis on collective covenant responsibility over individual convenience.

Numbers 32 24 Commentary

Numbers 32:24 stands as a critical hinge in the narrative, articulating Moses' conditional grant of territory to Reuben and Gad. It combines a practical instruction with a powerful moral imperative. Practically, Moses directs them to first secure their settlements, indicating an understanding of their pastoral and familial needs before embarking on warfare. Spiritually and ethically, the core of the verse lies in "and do what you have promised." This isn't merely a contract; it's a test of integrity within the covenant community. The words "what has gone out from your mouth" are incredibly potent, reflecting a society where one's spoken word was sacred, bound by the witness of God. Failure to keep such a promise was not merely a breach of agreement but an act of sin against the Lord (Num 32:23). Thus, the verse encapsulates a foundational biblical principle: true commitment involves both prudent planning for one's own and sacrificial dedication to the greater good of the community, all underscored by faithfulness to one's word. It highlights that divine blessings are often tied to human responsibility and integrity.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • Keeping promises to family members or colleagues.
  • Fulfilling commitments made to the church or community projects.
  • Following through on responsibilities even when inconvenient.