Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
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Commentary for Numbers 32:25
Numbers 32:25 is part of a larger narrative in the book of Numbers, which details the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. In this specific verse, the tribes of Gad and Reuben are addressing Moses, expressing their willingness to comply with his leadership and the commands of God.
The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, after they had received the Law at Mount Sinai and were nearing the end of their 40-year journey. The tribes of Gad and Reuben, having seen the fertile land east of the Jordan, desired to settle there rather than cross into the Promised Land. They approached Moses with a proposal to first help their fellow Israelites conquer the land west of the Jordan, and only then return to settle east of the river.
In Numbers 32:25, the representatives of these tribes are pledging their obedience to Moses' decision regarding their request. They refer to themselves as "thy servants" and to Moses as "my lord," indicating their respect for his authority and their commitment to fulfill their obligations to him and to God. This verse reflects themes of loyalty, obedience, and the fulfillment of promises, which are recurrent in the Pentateuch. It also highlights the importance of collective responsibility within the Israelite community, as these tribes were willing to fight for the inheritance of others before claiming their own.
The verse underscores the significant role of Moses as a leader and mediator between God and the Israelites, and it demonstrates the expectation that the people should follow the guidance of their divinely appointed leader. This moment of commitment by the tribes of Gad and Reuben is a testament to their understanding of the covenantal relationship between God, their leader, and themselves—a relationship that demanded faithfulness and action.
*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: 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: H5650 There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֶבֶד Transliteration: ʻebed Pronunciation: eh'-bed Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
Strong's Number: H6213 There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָשָׂה Transliteration: ʻâsâh Pronunciation: aw-saw' Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
Strong's Number: H113 There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָדוֹן Transliteration: ʼâdôwn Pronunciation: aw-done' Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'.
Strong's Number: H6680 There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: צָוָה Transliteration: tsâvâh Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw' Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.