Numbers 32 29

Numbers 32:29 kjv

And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:

Numbers 32:29 nkjv

And Moses said to them: "If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as a possession.

Numbers 32:29 niv

He 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.

Numbers 32:29 esv

And Moses said to them, "If the people of Gad and the people of Reuben, every man who is armed to battle before the LORD, will pass with you over the Jordan and the land shall be subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession.

Numbers 32:29 nlt

He said, "The men of Gad and Reuben who are armed for battle must cross the Jordan with you to fight for the LORD. If they do, give them the land of Gilead as their property when the land is conquered.

Numbers 32 verses

Numbers 32 29 Meaning

Numbers 32:29 sets forth Moses' conditional promise to the tribes of Gad and Reuben. It stipulates that if these tribes fulfill their commitment to cross the Jordan River and join the other tribes, armed for battle "before the Lord," and assist in subduing the promised land of Canaan, then in return, the land of Gilead (east of the Jordan) would be formally granted to them as their perpetual possession. This verse underlines the principle of corporate responsibility within Israel, where communal duty and obedience to God's command precede individual settlement and reward.

Numbers 32 29 Context

Numbers chapter 32 recounts the request by the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who possessed abundant livestock, to settle in the fertile land east of the Jordan River (Gilead and Bashan) rather than crossing into Canaan proper. Moses initially interprets this as a faithless reluctance to participate in the conquest, reminiscent of the rebellion at Kadesh-barnea. However, the tribes clarify their intention: they will send their armed men across the Jordan, fully prepared to fight at the forefront of the Israelite army until the entire land of Canaan is subdued. Only then would they return to their chosen inheritance. Moses, after receiving their assurance, agrees to this conditional arrangement. Verse 29 is a key part of Moses' directive, establishing the specific conditions and consequences for their choice—a binding agreement that held significant theological weight as it was made "before the Lord." This interaction sets the stage for the unified military campaigns under Joshua.

Numbers 32 29 Word analysis

• And Moses said to them: (וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אֲלֵהֶ֨ם מֹשֶׁ֜ה, wayyōʾmer ʾalêhem mōšeh) - Establishes Moses' authoritative role as the leader and mediator of the covenant between God and Israel. His words carry the weight of divine sanction, shaping Israel's future.
• If they cross over: (אִם־יַֽעַבְר֣וּ, ʾim-yaʿabrû) - The particle אִם (im) signifies a condition, a hypothetical situation requiring a response. The verb יַֽעַבְר֣וּ (yaʿabrû, from עָבַר, ʿāvar, "to cross over," "to pass through") emphasizes the physical act of traversing the Jordan, symbolizing their active participation and commitment. This word also holds significance for a journey from wilderness to promised land.
• sons of Gad and sons of Reuben: (בְנֵי־גָ֣ד ׀ וּבְנֵי רְאוּבֵ֣ן, bənê-ḡāḏ ûḇənê rəʾûḇēn) - Directly names the two tribes. The use of "sons of" highlights their tribal identity, descent, and the collective nature of their responsibility and eventual inheritance.
• with you: (אִתְּכֶ֗ם, ʾittəḵem) - The plural "you" refers to the rest of the Israelite tribes, underscoring the unity and communal effort required for the conquest. It’s a call for solidarity rather than division.
• the Jordan: (אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן֙, ʾet-hayyardēn) - Refers to the Jordan River, a geographical boundary but also a potent symbolic barrier marking the entrance to the divinely promised land of Canaan. Crossing it represented commitment to God's plan for the nation.
• every man armed for battle: (כָּל־חָל֣וּץ לַמִּלְחָמָה֙, kāl-ḥālûṣ lammilḥāmāh) -
  • כָּל־חָל֣וּץ (kāl-ḥālûṣ): "Every armed man" or "every man equipped for war." The Hebrew word חָל֣וּץ (ḥālûṣ, from חָלַץ, ḥalats) means to be girded, prepared, or equipped for a specific task, particularly military service. It suggests readiness, being stripped of non-essentials for efficiency, implying their earnest and full commitment to the fight.
  • לַמִּלְחָמָה֙ (lammilḥāmāh): "For battle" or "for war." From מִלְחָמָה (milḥāmāh), denoting organized warfare. This confirms their specific military role in the conquest.
• before the Lord: (לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה, lippənê Yahweh) - This crucial phrase signifies that their actions and promises are made in the divine presence, under God's direct witness and authority. It elevates the agreement from a mere human contract to a sacred covenant, binding them before the ultimate sovereign, Yahweh. It emphasizes their accountability to God for their word.
• and the land shall be subdued before you: (וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם, wənikbbəšāh hāʾāreṣ lippənêkem) -
  • וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֥ה (wənikbbəšāh): "And it is subdued," or "and it is conquered" (from כָּבַשׁ, kābash). This verb denotes forceful subjugation, often in a military context (e.g., conquering a city or nation). It can also mean to "tread down" or "bring into bondage." Here, it signifies the complete victory and pacification of Canaan.
  • הָאָ֖רֶץ (hāʾāreṣ): "The land," specifically referring to the land of Canaan, west of the Jordan, promised to Israel.
  • לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם (lippənêkem): "Before you" (plural), indicating the successful outcome of the joint military campaign led by all Israel.
• then you shall give to them: (וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם לָהֶ֛ם, ûnəṯattem lâhem) -
  • וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם (ûnəṯattem): "And you shall give" (from נָתַן, nāṯan). This verb is central to the concept of bestowal and promise fulfillment. It highlights Moses' role in mediating the distribution of land as part of the covenant.
  • לָהֶ֛ם (lâhem): "To them," again referring to the tribes of Gad and Reuben.
• the land of Gilead: (אֶת־אֶ֥רֶץ הַגִּלְעָ֖ד, ʾet-ʾereṣ haggləʿāḏ) - Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River, known for its pastures, ideal for livestock, which was the primary concern of these tribes. Its specification underscores the practical fulfillment of their request.
• for a possession: (לַאֲחֻזָּֽה, laʾăḥuzzâ) - The noun אֲחֻזָּֽה (ʾăḥuzzâ) signifies an "inheritance," "property," or "possession," usually land obtained permanently by divine grant or legal right. This term assures them that the land will be their lasting inheritance, tied to their fulfilling the conditions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If the people of Gad and the people of Reuben will cross with you over the Jordan, every man armed for battle": This initial clause defines the conditional nature of the agreement. It outlines the specific parties involved (Reuben and Gad), their primary action (crossing the Jordan), and the mandatory manner of their participation ("every man armed for battle"). This implies a full, committed, and ready contribution to the national conquest. It reflects a choice between seeking immediate personal comfort and prioritizing communal covenant obligations.
• "before the Lord": This phrase is profoundly significant, acting as a divine witness to the entire arrangement. It elevates the military action beyond human strategy to a sacred mission. Being "before the Lord" means accountability, seeking His favor, and acknowledging His sovereignty over the outcome. It reinforces that their commitment is not merely to Moses or the other tribes but to God Himself.
• "and the land shall be subdued before you": This phrase defines the specific achievement that marks the completion of their shared duty. "Subdued" highlights the successful, God-enabled conquest of Canaan. The passive voice ("shall be subdued") subtly acknowledges God's ultimate power in the victory, while "before you" gives credit to the collective efforts of the Israelite army.
• "then you shall give them the country of Gilead for a possession": This final clause establishes the reciprocal reward and its lasting nature. The gift of Gilead is not an unearned favor but the just outcome of fulfilling a divine mandate. The term "possession" emphasizes its permanency and their legitimate claim based on their covenant fidelity.

Numbers 32 29 Bonus section

• The phrase "before the Lord" serves as a divine counter-polemic to any temptation of the tribes to prioritize their personal interests or to consider their agreement merely a secular deal. It embeds the pact within the framework of God's covenant with Israel, ensuring divine oversight and the spiritual consequences of either fulfillment or failure.
• Historically, the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) did indeed fulfill their promise under Joshua's leadership, as recorded in Joshua chapter 1 and 22. Joshua later sent them back to their land east of the Jordan, blessing them for their faithfulness, which confirms the integrity and significance of Moses' initial conditional agreement.
• The strategic location of Gilead was significant; while providing fertile grazing land, it also represented the frontier. Settling east of the Jordan meant they would be the first line of defense against potential threats from the eastern desert. This further highlights their sacrificial commitment to the collective security of Israel.
• The episode models responsible leadership: Moses, though initially expressing stern concern, shows wisdom and pastoral care by listening to the tribes' explanation and establishing a clear, just condition that both tested their commitment and affirmed their inheritance. This ensured national unity.

Numbers 32 29 Commentary

Numbers 32:29 is a pivotal verse embodying the principles of covenant faithfulness, corporate responsibility, and delayed gratification in the service of God's broader purpose. Moses’ firm yet just response to the Reubenites and Gadites underscores that individual or tribal interests, while valid, must be subordinated to the communal call of God. Their commitment to go "armed for battle before the Lord" signifies not just a physical act of warfare but a spiritual posture of devotion and obedience, recognizing God as the true leader of their campaigns. The granting of Gilead as a "possession" becomes a testament to their loyalty. This passage speaks volumes about integrity, reminding believers that vows made "before the Lord" must be honored, and that communal goals often require personal sacrifice. It is a timeless lesson that true blessing often follows devoted service and the fulfillment of God-given duties for the benefit of the wider community. This commitment prevents selfish individualism from undermining divine purposes.