King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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,
Complete Jewish Bible:
the descendants of Gad and of Re'uven came and spoke to Moshe, El'azar the cohen and the community leaders. They said,
Berean Standard Bible:
So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said,
American Standard Version:
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,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The children{H1121} of Gad{H1410} and the children{H1121} of Reuben{H7205} came{H935} and spake{H559} unto Moses{H4872}, and to Eleazar{H499} the priest{H3548}, and unto the princes{H5387} of the congregation{H5712}, saying{H559},
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 32:2
1. Themes of Numbers 32:2:
- Tribal Identity and Request: The passage highlights the distinct requests of the tribes of Gad and Reuben, emphasizing their unique identity within the larger Israelite community.
- Leadership and Governance: The verse underscores the structure of Israelite leadership, with Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the princes of the congregation being approached as authoritative figures.
- Land and Inheritance: The tribes' request pertains to their desire for land and inheritance, a significant theme throughout the book of Numbers, reflecting the Israelites' journey towards their promised land.
2. Historical Context:
- Time Period: Numbers 32:2 is set during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, after the exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land of Canaan. This period is characterized by the formation of Israel's identity as a nation under God's guidance.
- Geographical Context: The tribes of Gad and Reuben, upon seeing the suitability of the land on the east side of the Jordan for their livestock, desire to settle there rather than cross the Jordan into Canaan. This reflects the strategic importance of land suitable for pasture in a predominantly agrarian society.
- Covenantal Relationship: The interaction between the tribal leaders and Moses, Eleazar, and the princes, reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, with Moses serving as the mediator. The decision to settle east of the Jordan would have implications for the tribes' role in the conquest and settlement of Canaan.
In summary, Numbers 32:2 addresses the themes of tribal identity, leadership, and inheritance within the historical context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land, highlighting the negotiation of land distribution and the tribes' roles in the emerging nation of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H1410
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּד
Transliteration: Gâd
Pronunciation: gawd
Description: from גּוּד; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet; Gad. - Strong's Number: H7205
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רְאוּבֵן
Transliteration: Rᵉʼûwbên
Pronunciation: reh-oo-bane'
Description: from the imperative of רָאָה and בֵּן; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob; Reuben. - 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. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H4872
There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
Transliteration: Môsheh
Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses. - Strong's Number: H499
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶלְעָזָר
Transliteration: ʼElʻâzâr
Pronunciation: el-aw-zawr'
Description: from אֵל and עָזַר; God (is) helper; Elazar, the name of seven Israelites; Eleazar. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H5387
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשִׂיא
Transliteration: nâsîyʼ
Pronunciation: naw-see'
Description: or נָשִׂא; from נָשָׂא; properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. - Strong's Number: H5712
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדָה
Transliteration: ʻêdâh
Pronunciation: ay-daw'
Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה.