Numbers Chapter 32
The Tribes Settling East of the Jordan
A. The request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
1. (Numbers 32:1–5) The request to settle on the east side of the Jordan River.
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.
The children of Reuben and Gad were pastoral tribes with an abundance of livestock, and upon seeing the rich grazing plains east of the Jordan River, they requested that this territory be given to them as their inheritance. The land of Jazer and Gilead, recently conquered from the Amorites and Midianites, was fertile and well-suited for herds. Their request was driven by practical reasoning, but it also revealed a spiritual problem beneath the surface. For over four centuries, Israel had longed to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet here were two tribes content to remain short of that inheritance, settling outside the boundaries God had originally intended for His people.
Their words, “If we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession,” suggest a posture of humility, but their motivation was self-interest. They were more focused on convenience and immediate prosperity than on God’s covenant promises. Their request, “Bring us not over Jordan,” reveals a desire to avoid the challenges and battles ahead, choosing comfort over conquest. It is a picture of the believer who is satisfied with less than God’s best, who stops short of full obedience and spiritual victory.
As commentator Gordon Wenham observed, “That any Israelite tribe should consider settling outside the land promised to Abraham showed a disturbing indifference to the divine word, the word on which Israel’s existence entirely depended.” In spiritual terms, their decision represents compromise—a willingness to live on the edges of God’s promise rather than at the center of it.
2. (Numbers 32:6–7) Moses reacts to the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
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? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?
Moses’ response was sharp and filled with righteous concern. He immediately recognized the potential consequences of their request. His question, “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?” exposed the selfishness of their plan. While the rest of Israel would still need to cross the Jordan and battle for their inheritance, Reuben and Gad were asking to remain behind in safety, enjoying the fruit of past victories without contributing to the struggles that lay ahead.
Moses also understood the danger of discouragement spreading among the people. “Wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel?” he asked. If these tribes refused to cross over, it might weaken the resolve of others to possess what God had given them. Their complacency could infect the nation with the same spirit of unbelief that had caused their fathers to wander in the wilderness for forty years.
Spiritually, Moses’ words warn us that complacency is contagious. When some believers choose comfort over obedience, it discourages others who might otherwise be ready to follow God wholeheartedly. A Christian who settles down in the plains of contentment, avoiding the battles of faith, can unintentionally persuade others to do the same.
The principle is clear: the people of God are called to move forward together. There is no room for self-centered isolation in the service of the Lord. Just as Reuben and Gad were part of Israel’s covenant community and shared its responsibilities, every believer has a duty to labor alongside their brethren in the work of God. To sit idle while others fight is to neglect the calling and unity of the body.
Moses’ rebuke serves as a timeless reminder that the path of faith always requires forward movement. To stay behind when God calls us to advance is not only disobedience but also discouragement to others who are striving to obey.
3. (Numbers 32:8–15) Moses fears they are following in the footsteps of the previous generation of unbelief, the generation which perished in the wilderness.
Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land. For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the Lord had given them. And the Lord’s anger was kindled the same time, and He sware, saying, Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me: save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the Lord. And the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed. And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord toward Israel. For if ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
Moses recalled the tragic rebellion that occurred nearly forty years earlier when Israel first reached the threshold of the Promised Land. At Kadesh-barnea, the spies were sent into Canaan, but upon returning, ten of the twelve brought a fearful and faithless report. Their words “discouraged the heart of the children of Israel,” causing the nation to doubt the Lord’s promise and refuse to enter the land. As a result, the Lord’s wrath burned against that generation, and He swore that none of those who came out of Egypt, from twenty years old and above, would see the land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—except for Caleb and Joshua, who “wholly followed the Lord.”
a. They discouraged the heart of the children of Israel: Moses reminded the tribes of Reuben and Gad that discouragement had once before turned the hearts of God’s people away from obedience. The disobedience of the ten spies caused an entire generation to perish in the wilderness. It is a terrible thing to become a stumbling block that hinders others from pressing forward in faith. Spiritual discouragement is often more contagious than courage. For this reason, believers should pray that the Lord guards their words, actions, and attitudes so that they do not dampen the zeal or faith of others who seek to walk with God.
b. Because they have not wholly followed Me: The Lord declared that the reason Israel failed was because they did not wholly follow Him. They believed the report of men rather than the promises of God. The discouragement of the spies only succeeded because the people were half-hearted in their devotion. Those who live divided between faith and fear are easily swayed by the voice of unbelief.
The difference between Joshua and Caleb and the rest of Israel lay in this statement—they “wholly followed the Lord.” These two men were not moved by what they saw or heard from others, but by what God had spoken. Faith that fully follows the Lord is steadfast, refusing to yield even when surrounded by doubt. When a believer does not wholly follow God, he becomes vulnerable to the carnal and the fearful influences around him.
c. If you turn away from following Him, He will once again leave them in the wilderness: Moses warned the new generation that they were not exempt from judgment simply because their fathers had paid the price of unbelief. If they repeated the same sin, they would reap the same consequences. Spiritual privilege never guarantees spiritual victory. Each generation must choose obedience for itself. God’s promises are sure, but participation in those promises depends on faith and obedience.
This warning serves as a timeless reminder that God’s people cannot live on the faith of their predecessors. The Reubenites and Gadites could not presume safety because they were born after the judgment of the wilderness generation. If they turned from the Lord’s command, they too would face divine chastisement.
d. You will destroy all these people: Moses concluded his warning with a grave statement. If the tribes of Reuben and Gad turned away from following the Lord, their example would cause the rest of Israel to stumble into unbelief once again. Their complacency could “destroy all this people,” meaning it would bring national ruin just as the ten spies had destroyed the faith of the first generation.
Moses may have thought that these tribes were making a poor choice for themselves by settling east of the Jordan, content to live outside the full inheritance of God. Yet he did not confront them for that alone. A believer who settles for less than God’s best harms himself most of all, but when that same spirit of compromise begins to influence others, it must be addressed directly. That was the foundation of Moses’ rebuke—his concern was not only for Reuben and Gad, but for the spiritual health of the entire nation.
Complacency in one part of the body can bring weakness to the whole. The lesson is clear: those who lead must guard their example, lest their contentment with less hinder others from pursuing more of God.
B. The issue of the eastern tribes is settled.
1. (Numbers 32:16–19) The tribal leaders of Reuben and Gad offer to send their troops to help conquer the land west of the Jordan River.
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: but we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad came forward with a proposal intended to relieve Moses’ concern. They promised to leave their families and livestock in fortified cities east of the Jordan while their fighting men crossed over to help the rest of Israel subdue the land west of the Jordan. Their willingness to take up arms and fight alongside their brethren demonstrated unity and loyalty to the covenant people of God.
Their statement, “We ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place,” effectively removed the fear that they would be content to rest in comfort while others fought. They committed themselves to full participation in the coming conquest. This was not a half-hearted offer, but a solemn pledge to fight until every tribe had received its allotted inheritance.
Their words also revealed a proper sense of responsibility and protection toward their families. They would build “cities for our little ones” to ensure the safety of their dependents while they were away. The men understood that obedience to God’s command and unity with their brethren took precedence over personal comfort. This balance of duty to family and faithfulness to God’s people exemplifies wise stewardship and courage.
a. We ourselves will be armed, ready to go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place: This was the turning point that resolved the issue of discouragement. By pledging to fight side by side with the other tribes, the men of Reuben and Gad silenced any suspicion that they were unwilling to bear their share of the burden. There would be no cause for envy or resentment, for these men would stand shoulder to shoulder with their brethren in battle until the work was done.
This decision demonstrates an important spiritual principle: cooperation within the body of God’s people is essential to collective victory. The moment a believer chooses to stand apart from the mission of the church or to remain passive while others labor, division and discouragement creep in. But unity in purpose and action strengthens the whole body.
2. (Numbers 32:20–24) Moses receives their offer—providing they fulfill it.
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord to war, and will go all of you armed over Jordan before the Lord, until He hath driven out His enemies from before Him, and the land be subdued before the Lord: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.
Moses accepted their proposal but imposed strict conditions. Their promise must be kept in full, not partially. If they armed themselves and crossed the Jordan with their brothers, fighting until the land was subdued, they would be “blameless before the Lord and before Israel.” But if they failed, their sin would find them out.
a. If you do this thing: Moses made it clear that faithfulness in action was required. Words alone were not enough. The promise to assist their brethren must be followed by deeds that proved their sincerity. God always calls His people to obedience that is active, not merely verbal.
b. But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out: This famous warning underlines a universal truth about sin—it cannot remain hidden forever. In this context, the sin referred to is not one of commission, but omission. The warning is directed at the sin of doing nothing.
If Reuben and Gad failed to follow through—if they stayed behind while their brothers fought for their inheritance—they would be guilty of a grievous sin before the Lord. Doing nothing, when action is required, is a sin of neglect and indifference. Many believers fall into this category when they know what is right but fail to act. The words, “be sure your sin will find you out,” serve as a timeless reminder that God sees and exposes every hidden disobedience.
i. The tribes of Reuben and Gad would have sinned greatly had they chosen comfort over commitment. Their failure to join the fight would have been an act of betrayal, not neutrality.
ii. Sometimes, the greatest sins are not those of open rebellion, but those of passive neglect. To withhold help when others strive for God’s purposes is to sin by omission. Sooner or later, that neglect bears fruit—your sin will indeed find you out.
Moses’ warning stands as a solemn call for believers to fulfill their obligations to God and to one another. Every promise made before the Lord carries accountability.
3. (Numbers 32:25–27) The tribal leaders of Reuben and Gad agree.
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth. Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle shall be there in the cities of Gilead: but thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord saith.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad responded with humility and submission. They addressed Moses with respect, calling themselves his servants, and reaffirmed their commitment to do as commanded. Their tone indicated genuine repentance and a renewed spirit of unity with the rest of Israel.
They were careful to clarify the arrangement: their families and possessions would remain in fortified cities east of the Jordan, while all able-bodied men would cross over “every man armed for war.” They would not return home until their brethren had fully received their inheritance. This attitude marked a complete reversal from the earlier impression of self-centeredness.
Their obedience and willingness to fulfill their word brought peace and resolution to what could have become a national division. Unity was preserved because they submitted both to God’s authority and to the leadership He placed over them.
4. (Numbers 32:28–42) The agreement is settled, and cities are given to the tribes settling on the lands east of the Jordan River.
So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel. 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: but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the Lord hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours. And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about. And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, and Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, and Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities, and folds for sheep. And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, and Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded. And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair. And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
Once the tribes of Reuben and Gad had made their intentions clear and pledged to accompany Israel into battle, Moses finalized the agreement. He gave formal instructions to Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes to ensure that the arrangement would be upheld after his death. Moses’ careful delegation shows his wisdom and foresight, ensuring the continuity of leadership and the honoring of covenants once Israel crossed into Canaan.
Moses stipulated that if the tribes of Reuben and Gad fulfilled their word and went armed before the Lord, then the land of Gilead east of the Jordan would be their inheritance. However, if they failed to cross and assist their brethren, their inheritance would instead be among the tribes west of the Jordan. The terms were clear and binding, leaving no room for partial obedience or compromise.
The tribes agreed wholeheartedly: “As the Lord hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.” Their response revealed humility and a willingness to submit to divine and human authority. They reaffirmed their commitment, promising to go armed into Canaan while maintaining their inheritance east of the Jordan. Their obedience to the covenant brought peace and resolution to a matter that had once threatened to divide the nation.
a. So Moses gave to the children of Gad, to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph: This verse marks the introduction of a new addition to the eastern settlement—the half tribe of Manasseh. These descendants of Joseph were likewise content with the fertile lands east of the Jordan. In total, two and a half tribes—Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh—chose to dwell outside the boundaries of Canaan proper. Their territories included the former kingdoms of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, lands rich in pasture and resources.
Though this decision brought immediate satisfaction, it would later have consequences. The tribes east of the Jordan would eventually become more vulnerable to invasion and spiritual decline, often separated from the national worship centered at Shiloh and later at Jerusalem. Their physical distance from the rest of Israel mirrored a gradual spiritual distance that developed over time. This stands as a warning about the danger of settling for what seems convenient rather than remaining close to the center of God’s purpose and presence.
The text then details the building projects of the eastern tribes. The children of Gad fortified several cities such as Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Jazer, and Jogbehah, ensuring security for their livestock and families. The children of Reuben likewise rebuilt and renamed their cities, including Heshbon, Elealeh, Kirjathaim, Nebo, and Baal-meon. The renaming of these towns indicates an effort to remove the pagan associations from their Amorite past and to dedicate them to new beginnings under Israelite control.
The narrative concludes with the conquest of Gilead and surrounding regions by the descendants of Manasseh. Machir, Jair, and Nobah took their respective territories and renamed them after themselves—Havoth Jair and Nobah—reflecting personal valor and the establishment of new Israelite settlements.
Spiritually, this chapter closes with a picture of conditional blessing and communal responsibility. The tribes who chose to dwell outside the Promised Land were permitted to do so by God’s grace, but only if they remained faithful to the unity of the nation and their covenant obligations. The principle endures for believers today: God’s blessings may extend beyond the immediate boundaries of what others experience, but they are always tied to faithfulness, obedience, and shared commitment to His people.
