Numbers 32:18 is part of a longer exchange where the tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses if they can settle on the east side of the Jordan River, land that they've already conquered. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means in context:
Context: The tribes of Reuben and Gad, having seen the land east of the Jordan was good for livestock, wanted to settle there instead of crossing the Jordan to claim their inheritance in Canaan. Moses was initially angry, fearing this would discourage the rest of the Israelites from crossing over and inheriting the Promised Land.
"We will not return to our houses...": The Reubenites and Gadites are pledging to not settle down permanently in their newly acquired land east of the Jordan until the rest of Israel has successfully conquered Canaan and received their allotted land within it. They are promising to prioritize the collective mission over their individual comfort and desires.
"...until the children of Israel have each inherited their inheritance": This is the core of their promise. It means they will remain part of the Israelite army, fighting alongside their brethren to conquer Canaan and ensure every tribe and family receives their designated portion of land within the Promised Land. They would not abandon the mission or prioritize their own settlement. They would not go home (to their families, their new lands) until the job was done.
In essence, Numbers 32:18 is a pledge of commitment and solidarity. It's a promise to put the needs of the entire Israelite community above their own immediate desires, and to actively participate in the conquest and distribution of the Promised Land to all the tribes. It demonstrates a willingness to delay their own settlement to ensure the success of the entire nation's mission.
Numbers 32:18 is part of a longer exchange where the tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses if they can settle on the east side of the Jordan River, land that they've already conquered. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means in context:
Context: The tribes of Reuben and Gad, having seen the land east of the Jordan was good for livestock, wanted to settle there instead of crossing the Jordan to claim their inheritance in Canaan. Moses was initially angry, fearing this would discourage the rest of the Israelites from crossing over and inheriting the Promised Land.
"We will not return to our houses...": The Reubenites and Gadites are pledging to not settle down permanently in their newly acquired land east of the Jordan until the rest of Israel has successfully conquered Canaan and received their allotted land within it. They are promising to prioritize the collective mission over their individual comfort and desires.
"...until the children of Israel have each inherited their inheritance": This is the core of their promise. It means they will remain part of the Israelite army, fighting alongside their brethren to conquer Canaan and ensure every tribe and family receives their designated portion of land within the Promised Land. They would not abandon the mission or prioritize their own settlement. They would not go home (to their families, their new lands) until the job was done.
In essence, Numbers 32:18 is a pledge of commitment and solidarity. It's a promise to put the needs of the entire Israelite community above their own immediate desires, and to actively participate in the conquest and distribution of the Promised Land to all the tribes. It demonstrates a willingness to delay their own settlement to ensure the success of the entire nation's mission.