Numbers 32:17 - but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
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What does "Numbers 32:17" mean?
Numbers 32:17 describes a commitment made by the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and later half the tribe of Manasseh) to the rest of Israel. Let's break it down:
"but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel...": This means the fighting men of Reuben and Gad will act as a vanguard (a protective force at the front) for the rest of Israel. They are promising to be the first into battle and to lead the way. "Ready armed" implies they are prepared for war and will be at the forefront of any conflict.
"...until we have brought them to their place.": This refers to the goal of conquering the land of Canaan and securing a permanent home for all the tribes of Israel. They are committing to fight until everyone is settled.
"Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.": Reuben and Gad were asking to settle east of the Jordan River, a region they had conquered. This part is acknowledging the risk this presents to their families. The "fortified cities" are strongholds offering protection. "The inhabitants of the land" refers to the peoples that still needed to be driven out of Canaan. The tribes are recognizing the danger still present in the land and explaining the need for fortified cities to protect their vulnerable family members while the fighting men are away helping the other tribes.
In essence, the verse is a pledge of military support and loyalty. Reuben and Gad (and half of Manasseh) are saying, "We will prioritize the safety and establishment of all Israel, even at the temporary risk of our own families' safety, by being at the front of the fight until everyone has their inheritance." They would leave their families in fortified cities for safety while they fulfilled their promise.
It's also worth noting the motivation behind this pledge. Reuben and Gad had large herds of livestock and they saw the land east of the Jordan as suitable for grazing. They preferred to settle there, but they knew they couldn't do so without first fulfilling their obligation to help the rest of Israel conquer and settle the land of Canaan. Moses initially opposed this idea because he feared it would discourage the other tribes. This verse represents their commitment to prioritize the needs of the larger community over their own immediate desires. They want to assure Moses that they won't abandon their brothers.
Numbers 32:17 - but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
What does "Numbers 32:17" mean?
Numbers 32:17 describes a commitment made by the tribes of Reuben and Gad (and later half the tribe of Manasseh) to the rest of Israel. Let's break it down:
"but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel...": This means the fighting men of Reuben and Gad will act as a vanguard (a protective force at the front) for the rest of Israel. They are promising to be the first into battle and to lead the way. "Ready armed" implies they are prepared for war and will be at the forefront of any conflict.
"...until we have brought them to their place.": This refers to the goal of conquering the land of Canaan and securing a permanent home for all the tribes of Israel. They are committing to fight until everyone is settled.
"Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.": Reuben and Gad were asking to settle east of the Jordan River, a region they had conquered. This part is acknowledging the risk this presents to their families. The "fortified cities" are strongholds offering protection. "The inhabitants of the land" refers to the peoples that still needed to be driven out of Canaan. The tribes are recognizing the danger still present in the land and explaining the need for fortified cities to protect their vulnerable family members while the fighting men are away helping the other tribes.
In essence, the verse is a pledge of military support and loyalty. Reuben and Gad (and half of Manasseh) are saying, "We will prioritize the safety and establishment of all Israel, even at the temporary risk of our own families' safety, by being at the front of the fight until everyone has their inheritance." They would leave their families in fortified cities for safety while they fulfilled their promise.
It's also worth noting the motivation behind this pledge. Reuben and Gad had large herds of livestock and they saw the land east of the Jordan as suitable for grazing. They preferred to settle there, but they knew they couldn't do so without first fulfilling their obligation to help the rest of Israel conquer and settle the land of Canaan. Moses initially opposed this idea because he feared it would discourage the other tribes. This verse represents their commitment to prioritize the needs of the larger community over their own immediate desires. They want to assure Moses that they won't abandon their brothers.