Numbers 32:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, [and] bring us not over Jordan.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If you regard us favorably," they went on, "let this land be given to your servants as their possession; and don't have us cross the Yarden."

Berean Standard Bible:

“If we have found favor in your sight,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.”

American Standard Version:

And they said, If we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over the Jordan.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Wherefore, said^{H559} they, if we have found^{H4672} grace^{H2580} in thy sight^{H5869}, let this land^{H776} be given^{H5414} unto thy servants^{H5650} for a possession^{H272}, and bring us not over^{H5674} Jordan^{H3383}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 32:5

**Numbers 32:5 Summary:**
In Numbers 32:5, the tribes of Reuben and Gad request permission from Moses to settle in the land east of the Jordan River, which they have conquered and found suitable for their livestock. This request comes as the Israelites are on the verge of entering the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

**Themes:**
1. **Land and Possession:** The theme of land as a divine promise and the fulfillment of God's covenant with the Israelites is central. The tribes of Reuben and Gad recognize the strategic importance of the land they have conquered for their flocks and ask for it as their inheritance.
2. **Faith and Trust:** The request reflects a moment of decision where the tribes must choose between the immediate appeal of settled life and the ongoing journey of faith into the Promised Land with the rest of Israel.
3. **Responsibility and Commitment:** Despite their desire to settle east of the Jordan, the tribes of Reuben and Gad affirm their commitment to support their fellow Israelites in conquering the land west of the Jordan before claiming their own inheritance.

**Historical Context:**
The book of Numbers recounts the journey of the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, on the edge of the Promised Land. The events in chapter 32 occur toward the end of this journey. The Israelites have just defeated the kings of the Amorites, securing the territories east of the Jordan. This land is rich in pasture, making it attractive to the pastoralist tribes of Reuben and Gad.

Their request to Moses is significant because it could potentially undermine the unity of the Israelite tribes and the collective mission to possess the land promised to their forefathers. Moses' initial response in verses 6-15 reflects his concern about the potential consequences of their request, which he likens to the fearful report of the spies that led to the previous generation's unbelief and the resulting wilderness wanderings (Numbers 13-14).

Ultimately, a compromise is reached where the tribes of Reuben and Gad can settle in the conquered territory on the condition that they first help the other tribes conquer the land west of the Jordan. This agreement maintains unity and ensures that all the tribes participate in the fulfillment of God's promise.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4672
   There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָצָא
   Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2580
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵן
   Transliteration: chên
   Pronunciation: khane
   Description: from חָנַן; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty); favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: H272
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲחֻזָּה
   Transliteration: ʼăchuzzâh
   Pronunciation: akh-ooz-zaw'
   Description: feminine passive participle from אָחַז; something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land); possession.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3383
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יַרְדֵּן
    Transliteration: Yardên
    Pronunciation: yar-dane'
    Description: from יָרַד; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine; Jordan.