Numbers 32 42

Numbers 32:42 kjv

And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

Numbers 32:42 nkjv

Then Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and he called it Nobah, after his own name.

Numbers 32:42 niv

And Nobah captured Kenath and its surrounding settlements and called it Nobah after himself.

Numbers 32:42 esv

And Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

Numbers 32:42 nlt

Meanwhile, a man named Nobah captured the town of Kenath and its surrounding villages, and he renamed that area Nobah after himself.

Numbers 32 verses

Numbers 32 42 Meaning

Numbers 32:42 describes a specific act of conquest by Nobah, a leader from the half-tribe of Manasseh. It records that Nobah successfully took control of the city of Kenath and all its surrounding dependent settlements, subsequently renaming the city after himself to signify his conquest and personal claim over the territory.

Numbers 32 42 Context

Numbers chapter 32 recounts the request by the tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by the half-tribe of Manasseh) to settle in the fertile land east of the Jordan River. This land had recently been conquered from Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Moses initially expresses concern that this request would discourage the rest of the Israelites from entering Canaan. However, after the tribes pledge to arm themselves and fight alongside their brethren for the conquest of the land west of Jordan before returning to their inheritance east of the Jordan, Moses grants their request. Verses 34-42 detail the cities and territories captured and settled by these tribes, specifying who among Manasseh (Machir's descendants and others like Jair and Nobah) took which areas. Numbers 32:42, therefore, fits into the immediate context of describing the specific land appropriations and conquests made by the half-tribe of Manasseh in this Transjordan region, emphasizing a personal act of a leader claiming territory.

Numbers 32 42 Word analysis

• And Nobah (וְנוֹבַח - vĕnôvaḥ): This individual is presented as a leader from the tribe of Manasseh (specifically, the half-tribe settling east of the Jordan River). The name "Nobah" (נֹבַח) is relatively uncommon in the biblical narrative. In this context, it highlights a personal initiative in the larger tribal conquest.
• went (וַיֵּלֶךְ - vayêlek): Simple past tense, indicating a direct, decisive movement or expedition. It suggests a purposeful journey undertaken for a specific objective, which here is conquest.
• and took (וַיִּלְכֹּד - vayyilĕkhod): From the Hebrew root lakad (לָכַד), meaning "to seize, capture, grasp, catch, ambush." This verb strongly implies military action, suggesting that Kenath was taken by force or strategy, rather than peaceful settlement or purchase. It denotes conquest.
• Kenath (קְנָת - Qenath): A specific city located in the region of Bashan/Gilead, east of the Jordan River. Its mention identifies the precise geographical extent of this Manassite leader's acquisition. Historically, it corresponds to a site that was strategically important in the region.
• and its villages (וּבְנוֹתֶיהָ - u'vĕnoteyha): Hebrew u-v'noteyha, literally "and its daughters." In biblical geography, "daughters" (בָּנוֹת - banot) refers to the dependent towns, outlying settlements, or hamlets that were politically, economically, and geographically connected to a central city. Capturing the city "and its villages" signifies a comprehensive conquest, encompassing the entire surrounding sphere of influence and agricultural land.
• and called it (וַיִּקְרָא - vayyiqra'): From the Hebrew root qara (קָרָא), meaning "to call, name, proclaim." This act of naming was profoundly significant in ancient cultures. It signified assertion of authority, ownership, and a declaration of permanence for the conqueror's claim.
• Nobah (נוֹבַח - Novah): The new name given to the captured city. The act of renaming the city after himself, Nobah, cemented his personal achievement and legacy, much like monarchs and conquerors of the time would rename territories or cities to honor themselves or specific events. This naming underscores personal contribution and claim.
• after his own name (בִּשְׁמוֹ - bishmo): This phrase reinforces the direct personal connection. Hebrew bi-shmo, "by his name" or "in his name." It signifies that the city's new identity was derived directly from, and tied intrinsically to, the conqueror's identity, symbolizing full possession and control.

Numbers 32 42 Bonus section

• The practice of renaming captured places was a common practice in the Ancient Near East, symbolizing not only the assertion of sovereignty but also the erasing of previous identities and cultures associated with the place, integrating it into the new conqueror's domain.
• Though Kenath is renamed Nobah here, it is important to note that the name Kenath reappears in later biblical and extra-biblical sources (e.g., 1 Chr 2:23), suggesting that the change to "Nobah" for the city was likely temporary or locally recognized, while its original name eventually re-established itself. This reflects the dynamic and often fluid nature of place names over centuries.
• Nobah's act showcases personal agency and ambition within the divine mandate of inheriting the land, indicating that the possession of the land was achieved through both corporate tribal effort and individual initiatives, contributing to the fulfillment of God's promise.

Numbers 32 42 Commentary

Numbers 32:42 succinctly narrates a pivotal moment of personal initiative within the broader tribal allocations. Nobah, a Manassite, goes beyond receiving an assigned portion by actively conquering Kenath and its dependencies. This action exemplifies the ongoing process of "taking possession" of the land as described throughout the book of Joshua and Judges. The renaming of Kenath to Nobah, "after his own name," is a powerful ancient act of asserting permanent claim and identity over a captured territory. It demonstrates an individual leader's significant role in securing and consolidating tribal inheritance, tying a piece of the Promised Land directly to his legacy. While this verse highlights individual achievement, it is always understood within the overarching narrative of God granting the land to Israel, with human effort being the means of realizing that divine promise. Notably, the name Nobah for the city did not last indefinitely, as later references in 1 Chronicles 2:23 revert to calling the place Kenath, suggesting the temporal nature of human monuments against enduring historical names.