Numbers 32 6

Numbers 32:6 kjv

And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?

Numbers 32:6 nkjv

And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?

Numbers 32:6 niv

Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here?

Numbers 32:6 esv

But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, "Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?

Numbers 32:6 nlt

"Do you intend to stay here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?" Moses asked the men of Gad and Reuben.

Numbers 32 verses

Numbers 32 6 Meaning

Numbers 32:6 records Moses' sharp and immediate rebuke to the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Their request to settle in the fertile lands east of the Jordan, potentially shirking their responsibility to participate in the arduous conquest of Canaan with the other tribes, drew Moses' incredulous question: "Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here?" This verse encapsulates Moses' deep concern over their proposed isolation, viewing it as a self-serving act that could undermine the unity, morale, and divine mission of the entire Israelite confederation, risking a repeat of past failures rooted in fear and disunity.

Numbers 32 6 Context

Numbers chapter 32 opens with the tribes of Gad and Reuben observing the land of Jazer and Gilead east of the Jordan, recognizing it as ideal for their numerous livestock. They approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal leaders, requesting permission to settle there instead of crossing the Jordan with the rest of Israel. This proposition immediately triggered a powerful response from Moses, rooted in the traumatic memory of Israel's previous failure to enter Canaan from Kadesh Barnea forty years earlier (Numbers 13-14). At that time, ten of the twelve spies had delivered a fearful report, causing the entire congregation to grumble and refuse to obey God, resulting in a forty-year delay and the death of the entire adult generation. Moses feared that Gad and Reuben's withdrawal would demoralize the other tribes, dampen their resolve, and ultimately lead to a similar act of unbelief and disobedience, jeopardizing the entire mission of conquering the Promised Land as commanded by God. The conquest of Canaan was understood as a unified, national, and divinely ordained enterprise.

Numbers 32 6 Word analysis

• Moses: (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh) The divinely appointed leader of Israel, uniquely positioned to articulate God's will and confront potential breaches of covenant. His reaction carries prophetic authority.

• said: (וַיֹּאמֶר, wa-yyo’mer) A common Hebrew verb indicating speech, but here conveying the immediacy and forceful nature of Moses' response, indicating his deep concern and disapproval.

• to the people of Gad and the people of Reuben: (לִבְנֵי־גָ֣ד וְלִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵ֔ן, livne-gad wəlivne rə’uvén) Literally "to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben," emphasizing the corporate, tribal identity and their collective responsibility as a lineage within Israel.

• Shall: (הַ, ha-) The interrogative particle introducing a question. Here, it functions as a strong rhetorical question expressing astonishment, disapproval, and implied accusation. It demands reflection on the moral implications.

• your brothers: (אַחֵיכֶם, ’aḥekem) Highlights the familial, national, and covenantal bond shared among all Israelite tribes. Moses appeals to their sense of kinship and shared destiny, implying a betrayal of these ties.

• go to war: (יָבֹאוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה, yavo’u lam-milḥamah) Refers to the perilous and divinely mandated military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan. Milḥamah (מִלְחָמָה) means "war" or "battle," underscoring the severity of the commitment being avoided.

• while you sit: (וְאַתֶּ֖ם תֵּ֥שְׁבוּ, wə’attem teshevū) ’Attem is an emphatic pronoun "you," directly pinpointing the two tribes. Teshevū is from yashav (ישב), meaning "to sit, dwell, remain." Here, it signifies idleness, ease, or avoiding responsibility, standing in stark contrast to the danger their "brothers" would face.

• here?: (פֹֽה, poh) Denotes their preferred location east of the Jordan, a place of safety and immediate comfort, highlighting their perceived lack of commitment to the corporate effort west of the river.

• "Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here?": This complete rhetorical question is the core of Moses' condemnation. It powerfully confronts the two tribes' proposal by starkly contrasting the expected sacrifice of the majority with the apparent comfort and ease desired by Gad and Reuben. It challenges their sense of justice, responsibility, and solidarity, reminding them of the shared nature of God's covenantal call. This questioning echoes the potential for internal division and foreshadows the negative consequences if such self-interest were to prevail.

Numbers 32 6 Bonus section

The profound reaction from Moses in Numbers 32:6 led to a significant dialogue that shaped the future of the tribes of Gad and Reuben, as well as half the tribe of Manasseh. Moses, deeply concerned by the potential recurrence of the unbelief and disunity of the Kadesh Barnea generation (Numbers 14), articulated the dire consequences should these tribes falter in their commitment (Num 32:23: "Be sure your sin will find you out!"). This warning, "Be sure your sin will find you out," spoken in this context, underscores that neglecting communal responsibility for personal gain carries a certain spiritual judgment. However, the eventual resolution (Num 32:16-32) shows the flexibility and wisdom of Moses' leadership, allowing their request but only under strict conditions: they must arm themselves and participate fully in the conquest of Canaan alongside their brothers, leading the charge, and only return to their lands after the full conquest. Their later faithfulness to this promise (Joshua 22:1-6) serves as an example of overcoming initial self-interest for the greater good of God's people and His mission.

Numbers 32 6 Commentary

Numbers 32:6 reveals the immediate spiritual and leadership crisis Moses faced from the tribes of Gad and Reuben's proposal. Moses understood that God's plan for Israel to possess the Promised Land required collective participation, unity, and unwavering commitment. Their suggestion to opt out of the primary mission after securing personal gain threatened to shatter tribal solidarity and instill doubt or resentment in the other tribes who still faced the daunting task of conquest. Moses' question is a deep theological probe: can some members of God's people secure their own peace and prosperity while others engage in the difficult work of the kingdom? It teaches that belonging to God's covenant community entails a shared burden and mutual responsibility in pursuing His purposes. It highlights the biblical call for believers to serve collectively, resisting the temptation of selfish ease when there is a shared spiritual battle or work to be done.