Numbers 32:7

Translation
King James Version
And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
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KJV (with Strong's)
And wherefore discourage ye H5106 H5106 the heart H3820 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 from going over H5674 into the land H776 which the LORD H3068 hath given H5414 them?
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Complete Jewish Bible
Besides, why are you trying to discourage the people of Isra'el from crossing into the land ADONAI gave them?
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Berean Standard Bible
Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?
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American Standard Version
And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Jehovah hath given them?
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World English Bible Messianic
Why do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Wherefore now discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel, to goe ouer into the lande, which the Lord hath giuen them?
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Young's Literal Translation
and why discourage ye the heart of the sons of Israel from passing over unto the land which Jehovah hath given to them?
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See also
Numbers 21:4Deuteronomy 1:28Acts 21:13Numbers 13:27Numbers 14:4Numbers 32:9
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Settlements of the Reubenites and Gadites
Settlements of the Reubenites and Gadites View full PDF

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 32:7 captures Moses' impassioned rebuke to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who sought to settle in the fertile Transjordan region instead of crossing the Jordan River with the other tribes to conquer the Promised Land. Moses sternly warns them that their desire for immediate comfort and perceived security, coupled with their reluctance to participate in the divinely ordained conquest, would inevitably demoralize the rest of the Israelite community, echoing the devastating failure of faith experienced by the previous generation at Kadesh-Barnea. The verse underscores the critical importance of corporate unity, unwavering faith in God's promises, and the profound negative impact individual or tribal choices can have on the collective spiritual resolve of God's people.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Numbers 32:7 is embedded within Moses' sharp confrontation with the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, who, observing the rich pasturelands east of the Jordan, requested to settle there rather than proceeding into Canaan. This request, detailed in Numbers 32:1-5, immediately raises Moses' alarm. His rebuke, spanning Numbers 32:6-15, is framed as a direct parallel to the catastrophic events at Kadesh-Barnea, where the negative report of the spies led to widespread fear and unbelief, resulting in God's judgment that the entire adult generation would perish in the wilderness (as recounted in Numbers 14). Moses fears that the tribes' proposed action, if not accompanied by a commitment to fight alongside their brethren, would replicate that historical failure by "discouraging the heart" of the other tribes and undermining the entire national mission to possess the land God had promised.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The setting is the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, after forty years of wilderness wandering, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. The Transjordan region was known for its excellent pastureland, appealing to tribes with large livestock holdings like Reuben and Gad. However, the covenantal promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., Genesis 12:7) specifically referred to the land of Canaan, west of the Jordan. For Israel to settle outside this promised territory, especially before the conquest was complete, would imply a lack of faith in God's provision and a deviation from His divine plan. Culturally, tribal solidarity was paramount for military campaigns. A perceived shirking of duty by two major tribes would not only diminish fighting strength but also severely impact morale, potentially leading to a collapse of the collective will to fight, which was essential for the daunting task of dispossessing the powerful Canaanite nations.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It highlights the constant tension between faith and fear, demonstrating how a pursuit of immediate comfort or perceived security, rather than trusting God's long-term promise, can lead to spiritual paralysis. The concept of corporate responsibility is paramount; the actions of a few individuals or tribes are shown to have profound, ripple effects on the entire community, emphasizing that individual choices are rarely isolated within the covenant people. Furthermore, the verse serves as a stark warning about the consequences of discouragement and unbelief, directly referencing the historical precedent of Kadesh-Barnea, where a lack of faith led to severe divine judgment and delayed blessings, as seen in Numbers 14:26-35. Moses' role here exemplifies wise and prophetic leadership, as he foresees the potential for spiritual malaise and issues a strong warning to safeguard the nation's spiritual integrity and commitment to God's ultimate purpose for Israel.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Discourage (Hebrew, nûwʼ, H5106): This verb (H5106) means "to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize; break, disallow, make of none effect." In the Hiphil causative form used here, it signifies causing someone else to lose their resolve or courage. It implies an act of undermining or weakening the spirit of another, leading them to abandon a course of action. Moses uses it to highlight how the tribes' proposed action would effectively "neutralize" or "dissuade" the other Israelites from their divinely appointed mission, causing their hearts to fail.
  • Heart (Hebrew, lêb, H3820): The Hebrew term (H3820) is far more comprehensive than the English "heart." It refers to the totality of a person's inner being—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character. To "discourage the heart" is to undermine one's entire inner resolve, their capacity for faith, courage, and commitment to God's will. It signifies a profound spiritual and psychological weakening that impacts one's ability to act in accordance with divine purpose, leading to a loss of conviction and the will to obey.
  • Given (Hebrew, nâthan, H5414): This primitive root (H5414) means "to give," used with a wide latitude of application including to bestow, grant, or appoint. In the context of "the land which the LORD hath given them," it emphasizes the divine origin and ownership of the Promised Land. It is not a territory to be seized by human might alone, but a gracious gift from Yahweh, the covenant God. The act of "going over into the land" is therefore an act of obedience and faith in God's promise and provision. To discourage this action is to implicitly question God's faithfulness and generosity, undermining the very foundation of Israel's identity and mission.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel": Moses begins with a rhetorical question, expressing his incredulity and strong disapproval. The "wherefore" (לָמָּה, lammah) conveys "why in the world?" or "for what reason?" The core accusation is that Reuben and Gad's actions (or proposed inactions) would cause the "heart" (inner resolve, courage, faith) of the other tribes to "melt" or "fail." This highlights the profound corporate impact of individual choices within the covenant community, where the spiritual state of a few can affect the whole.
  • "from going over into the land": This phrase specifies the negative outcome of the discouragement. The ultimate goal for Israel, after forty years of wandering, was to cross the Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land. To "discourage" them "from going over" directly obstructs God's stated purpose and the fulfillment of His ancient promises to their forefathers. It implies a retreat from the divine mandate and a turning away from the very purpose for which they had been preserved.
  • "which the LORD hath given them?": This concluding phrase serves as a powerful theological anchor and a stark reminder. It underscores that the land is not merely a conquest but a divine gift, a testament to God's faithfulness and covenant promises. By discouraging the entry, the tribes are effectively rejecting or causing others to reject a gift from the sovereign LORD, implying a profound lack of trust in His provision and power to deliver. This highlights the gravity of their potential sin: not just disobedience, but a questioning of God's very character and covenant integrity.

Literary Devices

Numbers 32:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey Moses' urgent message. The verse opens with a powerful Rhetorical Question ("And wherefore discourage ye...?"), which, rather than seeking information, serves to express Moses' strong indignation, incredulity, and condemnation of the tribes' proposed actions. This device draws the audience into the emotional weight of the moment and underscores the obvious wrongness of their intent. While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire context of Moses' rebuke is a profound Allusion to the disastrous incident at Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 13-14), where the previous generation's "discouraged heart" led to their condemnation. This implicit reference serves as a powerful cautionary tale, lending gravity and historical precedent to Moses' warning. Furthermore, the phrase "discourage the heart" functions as a Metaphor or Idiom, drawing on the physical sensation of a "melting" or "failing" heart to describe a profound internal loss of courage, resolve, and faith. This vivid imagery effectively communicates the deep spiritual and emotional damage that the tribes' actions could inflict upon the entire nation, emphasizing the internal, spiritual battle that precedes external action.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 32:7 serves as a crucial theological statement on the nature of corporate faith, the dangers of unbelief, and the profound impact of individual choices within the community of God's people. It underscores that God's covenant promises require not just individual trust but also collective perseverance. The "heart" of the nation, representing its collective will and spiritual resolve, is susceptible to discouragement, especially when some members prioritize immediate gratification or comfort over the shared divine mission. This verse reminds us that true spiritual progress often demands overcoming internal fears and external temptations, always with an unwavering focus on God's ultimate purpose. It highlights the principle that we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers in the journey of faith, called to build up rather than tear down, to encourage perseverance rather than foster doubt. The failure to enter the Promised Land due to unbelief is a recurring theme, warning against the spiritual lethargy that can prevent God's people from experiencing the fullness of His blessings.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Numbers 32:7 resonates powerfully with believers today, serving as a timeless reminder of the interconnectedness within the body of Christ and the critical importance of mutual encouragement. Just as Moses warned against actions that would "discourage the heart" of Israel from entering their promised inheritance, so too are we called to be mindful of the ripple effect of our choices on fellow believers. Are our actions, words, and priorities building up faith and courage in others, or are they subtly sowing seeds of doubt, fear, or complacency regarding God's callings and promises? This verse challenges us to examine whether we are prone to seeking the path of least resistance or immediate gratification, potentially undermining the collective pursuit of God's kingdom. It compels us to prioritize the corporate good and God's ultimate plan over personal preference or comfort, actively striving to be catalysts for courage, unity, and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, especially when facing spiritual battles or daunting tasks. Our individual faithfulness contributes directly to the collective strength and perseverance of the church as it presses forward in God's purposes.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what ways might my own pursuit of comfort or personal preference inadvertently "discourage the heart" of others in my faith community from pursuing God's challenging callings?
  • How can I actively contribute to a culture of encouragement and faith within my church or small group, especially when facing spiritual obstacles or uncertainties?
  • What "promised lands" (spiritual goals, missions, acts of obedience) is God calling my community to enter, and am I fully committed to the collective journey, or am I tempted to settle for less?

FAQ

What was the specific request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad that prompted Moses' rebuke?

Answer: The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessing large numbers of livestock, observed that the land east of the Jordan River (the Transjordan region) was excellent for pasture. They requested that Moses allow them to settle there permanently, rather than crossing the Jordan with the rest of the Israelite tribes to conquer and inherit the land of Canaan, which was the primary focus of God's promise. Their request is detailed in Numbers 32:1-5.

Why was Moses so concerned about their request, even if they promised to fight alongside the others?

Answer: Moses' primary concern, as expressed in Numbers 32:6-15, was that their desire to settle prematurely would "discourage the heart" of the other Israelite tribes. Even if Reuben and Gad intended to join the fight, their initial reluctance and perceived prioritization of personal comfort over the collective national mission could sow seeds of doubt, fear, and disunity among the remaining tribes. Moses feared a repeat of the Kadesh-Barnea incident, where the people lost heart and rebelled against God's command to enter the land, leading to forty years of wilderness wandering.

How does this verse relate to the Kadesh-Barnea incident?

Answer: Moses explicitly draws a parallel to the Kadesh-Barnea incident in his rebuke, stating in Numbers 32:8-13 that their fathers acted similarly when he sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land. The negative report of the spies at Kadesh-Barnea caused the people's "heart" to melt or be "discouraged" (as seen in Deuteronomy 1:28), leading to their refusal to enter the Promised Land and God's subsequent judgment that they would perish in the wilderness. Moses fears that the actions of Reuben and Gad would similarly "discourage" the current generation, leading to another catastrophic failure of faith and a delay or even forfeiture of God's promised inheritance.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Numbers 32:7, with its emphasis on the "Promised Land" and the danger of a "discouraged heart," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's understanding of our spiritual inheritance and the journey of faith. The physical land of Canaan, which Israel was to enter, serves as a powerful type of the spiritual rest and eternal inheritance that believers receive in Christ. Just as Israel was called to press into a land "which the LORD hath given them," so too are believers called to enter into God's rest, a rest from works and a life of faith, which is ultimately found in Jesus Christ, as articulated in Hebrews 4:1-11. The "discouraged heart" that kept Israel out of Canaan foreshadows the "evil heart of unbelief" that the author of Hebrews warns against, urging believers to "exhort one another daily... lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12-13). Christ, as our faithful High Priest and the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2), enables us to persevere and overcome the spiritual discouragement that can hinder our progress towards the ultimate "land" – the new heavens and new earth, our eternal home with God. His finished work on the cross removes the ultimate barrier to our inheritance, allowing us to enter by faith into the spiritual realities that the Old Testament land conquest only prefigured. He is the true Joshua, leading His people into the promised rest.

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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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