King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
[Even] the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, [is] a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:
Complete Jewish Bible:
the country that ADONAI conquered before the community of Isra'el, is livestock country; and your servants have livestock.
Berean Standard Bible:
which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, are suitable for livestock—and your servants have livestock.”
American Standard Version:
the land which Jehovah smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle; and thy servants have cattle.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Even the country{H776} which the LORD{H3068} smote{H5221} before{H6440} the congregation{H5712} of Israel{H3478}, is a land{H776} for cattle{H4735}, and thy servants{H5650} have cattle{H4735}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 21:34
- And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Deuteronomy 2:24
- ¶ Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess [it], and contend with him in battle.
Deuteronomy 2:35
- Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.
Numbers 21:24
- And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon [was] strong.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 32:4
**Numbers 32:4 Summary:**
**Themes:**
- **Divine Providence and Allocation:** The verse reflects the idea that the land which the Israelites are to inherit has been specifically designated by God. It underscores the belief that the Lord has already prepared the way for the Israelites by subduing their enemies and that the land is being given to them according to His divine plan.
- **Stewardship and Provision:** The emphasis on the land being suitable for cattle indicates a concern for the practical and material needs of the people. It suggests that God is providing not just territory, but resources that are fitting for the Israelites' lifestyle and economic sustenance, which at this time was heavily dependent on pastoralism.
- **Request and Justification:** The verse is part of a larger narrative where the tribes of Reuben and Gad request to settle in the land east of the Jordan River because it is suitable for their livestock. They are asking for permission to claim this land as their inheritance, justifying their request by pointing out its suitability for their needs.
**Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus and Conquest:** Numbers 32:4 is set during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a period marked by the Exodus and the subsequent conquest of Canaan. The Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, are nearing the end of their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness.
- **The Transjordan:** The specific region in question is the area east of the Jordan River, known as the Transjordan. This region had been conquered with the help of God, as referenced in the verse. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, having large herds of cattle, find this land particularly appealing.
- **Tribal Allotments:** The book of Numbers details the census of the Israelite tribes and the division of the land of Canaan among them. This verse is part of the negotiation process where certain tribes are beginning to claim their specific territories based on the resources and needs of their families and livestock.
In summary, Numbers 32:4 highlights themes of God's provision and the allocation of land according to His will, as well as the practical considerations of the Israelite tribes in the context of their impending settlement in Canaan. It reflects the historical transition from a nomadic to a more settled lifestyle for the Israelites and the beginnings of tribal land claims based on divine sanction and personal need.
*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: 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. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H4735
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִקְנֶה
Transliteration: miqneh
Pronunciation: mik-neh'
Description: from קָנָה; something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition; cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance. - 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.