Numbers 32:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

but we ourselves will be armed and ready for action to march at the head of the people of Isra'el, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones will stay in the fortified cities here because of the people now living in the land.

Berean Standard Bible:

But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land.

American Standard Version:

but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But we ourselves^{H587} will go ready^{H2363} armed^{H2502} before^{H6440} the children^{H1121} of Israel^{H3478}, until we have brought^{H935} them unto their place^{H4725}: and our little ones^{H2945} shall dwell^{H3427} in the fenced^{H4013} cities^{H5892} because^{H6440} of the inhabitants^{H3427} of the land^{H776}.

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Commentary for Numbers 32:17

**Numbers 32:17 Themes:**

1. **Loyalty and Responsibility**: The verse reflects the commitment of the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and later half of Manasseh) to support their fellow Israelites in the conquest of Canaan, despite their preference to settle outside the Promised Land.
2. **Protection and Providence**: There is an emphasis on ensuring the safety of the vulnerable, particularly children and families, by housing them in fortified cities.
3. **Division of Duty**: The willingness to bear arms and fight for the collective good while making provisions for the defenseless illustrates a division of labor and duty within the community.
4. **Land and Settlement**: The passage deals with the complexities of land allocation and settlement patterns as the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan.

**Historical Context:**

Set within the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, Numbers 32:17 occurs towards the end of their wilderness wanderings. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, having acquired substantial livestock, find the regions of Jazer and Gilead suitable for grazing. They approach Moses with a request to settle in this territory, which lies outside the boundaries of Canaan proper.

Moses initially responds with concern that their action might discourage the rest of the Israelites, similar to the way the report of the spies had done previously (Numbers 13-14). However, the tribes of Reuben and Gad clarify their intent to support the military efforts until all the tribes are settled in Canaan. They propose to leave their women, children, and livestock in fortified cities for protection against potential threats from the local inhabitants.

This verse captures the agreement reached between Moses and the tribes, highlighting their willingness to fulfill their military obligations while also securing their families and possessions. The arrangement underscores the delicate balance between personal interests and communal responsibilities during a formative period of Israel's history, as they transition from a nomadic existence to a more settled life in the land of Canaan.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H587
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲנַחְנוּ
   Transliteration: ʼănachnûw
   Pronunciation: an-akh'-noo
   Description: apparently from אָנֹכִי; we; ourselves, us, we.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2363
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוּשׁ
   Transliteration: chûwsh
   Pronunciation: koosh
   Description: a primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment; (make) haste(-n), ready.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2502
   There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלַץ
   Transliteration: châlats
   Pronunciation: khaw-lats'
   Description: a primitive root; to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen; arm (self), (go, ready) armed ([idiom] man, soldier), deliver, draw out, make fat, loose, (ready) prepared, put off, take away, withdraw self.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
7. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4725
   There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָקוֹם
   Transliteration: mâqôwm
   Pronunciation: maw-kome'
   Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
   
9. Strong's Number: H2945
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טַף
   Transliteration: ṭaph
   Pronunciation: taf
   Description: from טָפַף (perhaps referring to the tripping gait of children); a family (mostly used collectively in the singular); (little) children (ones), families.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3427
    There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָשַׁב
    Transliteration: yâshab
    Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4013
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִבְצָר
    Transliteration: mibtsâr
    Pronunciation: mib-tsawr'
    Description: also (in plural) feminine (Daniel 11:l5) מִבְצָרָה; from בָּצַר; a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender; (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).
    
12. Strong's Number: H5892
    There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עִיר
    Transliteration: ʻîyr
    Pronunciation: eer
    Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
    
13. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.