(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
But they came up to him and said, "Here we will build enclosures for our livestock and cities for our little ones,
Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones.
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
And they came near{H5066} unto him, and said{H559}, We will build{H1129} sheepfolds{H1448}{H6629} here for our cattle{H4735}, and cities{H5892} for our little ones{H2945}:
Numbers 32:16 is a verse that captures a moment in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. In this verse, the Reubenites and Gadites approach Moses with a proposal. They have seen the land of Jazer and Gilead and recognize it as suitable for livestock because of its fertile pastures. They propose to build sheepfolds for their cattle and cities for their children in this region east of the Jordan River.
The historical context of this verse is set towards the end of the Israelites' forty-year wandering in the wilderness. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, who were predominantly shepherds, saw the practicality of settling in the regions that were already conquered, which were ideal for grazing their large flocks. By asking for permission to settle there, they were seeking to secure a future for their livestock and their families, ensuring their material well-being.
The themes present in this verse include the importance of family and inheritance, as the tribes are concerned with providing for their children's future. It also reflects the themes of negotiation and compromise within the community, as the Reubenites and Gadites seek consent from Moses, recognizing his leadership and the collective goal of the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. Additionally, it touches on the theme of stewardship, as they plan to develop and cultivate the land they wish to inhabit.
This verse is significant as it demonstrates the practical considerations of the Israelites as they transition from nomadic life to settlement, and it also prefigures the complexities that will arise when the land is distributed among the tribes. It is a moment where personal and tribal interests intersect with the larger divine promise and destiny of the Israelite nation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)