Numbers 32:37

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,

Complete Jewish Bible:

The descendants of Re'uven built Heshbon, El'aleh, Kiryatayim,

Berean Standard Bible:

The Reubenites built up Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,

American Standard Version:

And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the children^{H1121} of Reuben^{H7205} built^{H1129} Heshbon^{H2809}, and Elealeh^{H500}, and Kirjathaim^{H7156},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 32:37

Numbers 32:37 is part of a larger narrative concerning the Israelite tribes of Reuben and Gad (and later half of the tribe of Manasseh), who requested to settle east of the Jordan River rather than crossing into the Promised Land to the west. This request was initially met with resistance and concern by Moses and the Israelite leadership, as they feared it might discourage the rest of the tribes from entering and claiming the land that God had promised to their ancestors.

The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into Canaan. The themes present in this chapter include:

1. **Territorial Claims and Settlement**: The tribes of Reuben and Gad were pastoralists with large herds and flocks, and they found the lands east of the Jordan conducive to their livestock. They asked Moses for permission to settle there, which he granted on the condition that they help the other tribes conquer the land to the west.

2. **Fulfillment of Promises**: The Reubenites' initiative to build cities like Heshbon, Elealeh, and Kirjathaim demonstrates the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan.

3. **Responsibility and Commitment**: Moses held the tribes of Reuben and Gad to their commitment to aid their fellow Israelites in battle before returning to their homes east of the Jordan. This reflects the importance of communal responsibility and unity among the tribes.

4. **Division of the Land**: The events in Numbers 32 set a precedent for how the land would be divided among the tribes, a process that would be described in greater detail in the book of Joshua.

The verse itself, Numbers 32:37, highlights the Reubenites' active role in establishing their presence in the newly acquired territory by building cities, which would become important for their security and prosperity. This action also signifies the transition from a nomadic existence in the wilderness to a more settled life in the land that would eventually be called home.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1129
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּנָה
   Transliteration: bânâh
   Pronunciation: baw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2809
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶשְׁבּוֹן
   Transliteration: Cheshbôwn
   Pronunciation: khesh-bone'
   Description: the same as חֶשְׁבּוֹן; Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan; Heshbon.
   
5. Strong's Number: H500
   There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶלְעָלֵא
   Transliteration: ʼElʻâlêʼ
   Pronunciation: el-aw-lay'
   Description: or (more properly) אֶלְעָלֵה; from אֵל and עָלָה; God (is) going up; Elale or Elaleh, a place east of the Jordan; Elealeh.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7156
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קִרְיָתַיִם
   Transliteration: Qiryâthayim
   Pronunciation: keer-yaw-thah'-yim
   Description: dual of קִרְיָה; double city; Kirjathaim, the name of two placed in Palestine; Kiriathaim, Kirjathaim.