Numbers 32 7

Numbers 32:7 kjv

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?

Numbers 32:7 nkjv

Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?

Numbers 32:7 niv

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

Numbers 32:7 esv

Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land that the LORD has given them?

Numbers 32:7 nlt

"Why do you want to discourage the rest of the people of Israel from going across to the land the LORD has given them?

Numbers 32 verses

Numbers 32 7 Meaning

Moses questions the tribes of Reuben and Gad why they are causing the hearts of the other Israelites to lose courage and commitment from their God-given mission: entering and possessing the land promised by the LORD. It's a rhetorical rebuke, expressing deep disapproval of their proposal to settle outside the Promised Land, as it mirrors the past sin of unbelief that led to forty years of wilderness wandering.

Numbers 32 7 Context

Numbers chapter 32 describes the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad (joined later by the half-tribe of Manasseh) to settle in the fertile land of Gilead and Bashan, east of the Jordan River, rather than crossing into Canaan. This land had recently been conquered from Sihon and Og. Moses reacts with great displeasure, and verse 7 is part of his passionate rebuke. He views their proposal not just as a practical choice but as a grave spiritual error, directly linking it to the historical failure at Kadesh-Barnea. At Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 13-14), the ten spies gave a discouraging report, causing the entire congregation to lose heart, leading to their forty-year wilderness wanderings and the death of that unbelieving generation. Moses perceives the tribes' request as an act of faithlessness and selfishness that would again dispirit the people and hinder God's divine purpose for the nation to fully possess the Promised Land.

Numbers 32 7 Word analysis

• And why: A rhetorical interrogative showing strong disapproval and bewilderment. It implies that the reason (selfish preference for easier pastureland) is insufficient and dangerous, especially considering past lessons.
• make ye: Refers directly to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, highlighting their direct culpability and the active, damaging impact of their intentions. It's a causative verb: they cause the faintness.
• the heart (לֵב - lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely an organ but the center of one's being – encompassing intellect, emotions, will, and moral character. Their actions were undermining the very spirit and resolve of the people.
• of the children of Israel: Refers to the entire nation. The action of a few tribes is portrayed as having potentially catastrophic effects on the entire community, echoing how the spies' report affected all of Israel.
• to faint (מָסַס - masas): To melt, dissolve, waste away, be disheartened, or lose courage. This is a critical term, directly echoing the language of unbelief and fear used in Numbers 14 (vv. 1, 29) and Deuteronomy 1:28, when the previous generation lost their courage to enter the land, leading to God's judgment. It implies a spiritual weakening, a loss of nerve and resolve.
• from going over (עָבַר - 'abar): To cross over, pass through. Specifically, crossing the Jordan River, which marked the physical boundary into the Promised Land. This phrase denotes their sacred mission.
• into the land (אֶרֶץ - 'eretz): The territory God had specifically promised and intended for His people as their inheritance. This wasn't just any land; it was the focal point of God's covenant with Abraham.
• which the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and power. The land is not something they earned or sought but a divine gift, making their hesitation to enter it an affront to God's sovereign will and gracious provision.
• hath given them?: Highlights that the land is a divinely conferred inheritance, a completed act from God's perspective. Their hesitation or refusal to possess it demonstrates a lack of faith in His giving and power to secure it for them. The question mark again makes it rhetorical, underscoring the absurdity and offense of their proposed action.

Numbers 32 7 Bonus section

The rhetorical force of Moses' question is critical. It is not seeking information but expressing incredulity and stern warning, designed to awaken conviction in the hearts of Reuben and Gad. His fear was legitimate; the psychological impact of two tribes choosing to remain outside could indeed have a chilling effect on the morale and commitment of the rest of the nation as they faced formidable adversaries in Canaan. This moment highlights Moses' consistent concern for the spiritual well-being and unity of Israel, and his vigilance against the recurring pattern of unbelief that had plagued them since Egypt. It underscores the leadership principle of addressing potential issues preemptively, recognizing how quickly a small deviation can snowball into significant opposition to God's will. The episode eventually resolved with the tribes' pledge to assist in the conquest, but Moses' initial response captures the grave spiritual danger of faint-heartedness in the face of God's promises.

Numbers 32 7 Commentary

Moses' sharp rebuke in Numbers 32:7 reveals a profound spiritual insight: actions driven by immediate gratification or fear can derail God's greater plan and negatively impact an entire community. The request of Reuben and Gad to settle short of the Promised Land was not merely logistical; it was a re-enactment of the very sin that cost their fathers their inheritance—unbelief (masas) and lack of resolve to follow God completely. Moses understands that this apparent desire for ease would erode the courage of the other tribes, causing them to falter in their faith and willingness to enter the land that Yahweh had already guaranteed. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our individual choices, especially within a community of faith, have ripple effects. To dishearten others in their pursuit of God's calling or promised blessings, whether by word or example, is a serious matter, potentially hindering God's work for His people. It emphasizes the collective responsibility in pursuing God's purposes and the dangers of selfishness or timidity that undermine communal faith.